Shaoyang (邵阳)

1. Introduction

Shaoyang City, abbreviated as Shao, historically known as Zhaoyang, Shaozhou, and Baoqing, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Hunan Province, People's Republic of China. It is located in the southwestern part of Hunan Province. The city borders Huaihua City to the west, Loudi City to the north, Hengyang City and Yongzhou City to the east, and Guilin City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the south. Situated in the transitional zone between the central Hunan hilly region and the Nanling Mountains, its western part is dominated by the Xuefeng Mountains, while the southern part features the Yuechengling and Danan Mountains. The Zi River and its tributary, the Fuyi River, run through the city's territory. The Shao River flows into the Zi River within the urban area, and the Wu River, a tributary of the Yuan River, is located in the southwestern part. The total area of the region is 20,824 square kilometers, with a total population of approximately 8.17 million. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 6 Chengbei Road, Daxiang District.

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2. History

In the early Western Zhou Dynasty, Duke Shao made an inspection tour to the south and reached this area.

At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, Bai Shan, a senior official of the State of Chu, built the City of Bai Gong here.

In the early Western Han Dynasty, Zhaoling County was established and belonged to the Changsha Kingdom. The character "Zhao" in Zhaoling is derived from Duke Shao, and the name Zhaoling originates from Duke Shao's southern inspection tour.

In the fifth year of the Yuanshuo era of Emperor Wu of Han (124 BCE), two marquisates were established within Zhaoling County—the Fuyi Marquisate and the Duliang Marquisate.

In the fifth year of the Yuanshi era of Emperor Ping of Han (5 CE), two more marquisates were established within Zhaoling County—the Zhaoyang Marquisate and the Chengyang Marquisate—and the county was transferred to Lingling Commandery. Shortly afterward, when Wang Mang assumed regency, the marquisates were abolished.

During the Wang Mang period, the Lingling Commandery to which the Zhaoyang Marquisate belonged was renamed Jiuyi Commandery.

During the reign of Emperor Guangwu of Han, four counties—Zhaoyang, Fuyi, Duliang, and Zhengyang—were established on the lands of the four former marquisates within the original Zhaoling County of Lingling Commandery. The Jiuyi Commandery to which Zhaoyang County belonged was renamed back to Lingling Commandery.

By the end of the Han Dynasty, it served as the seat of the Northern Commandant of Lingling Commandery. Liu Bei appointed Xi Zhen as the Northern Commandant of Lingling Commandery. After Lü Meng attacked Jing Province, Xi Zhen declared himself the Administrator of Zhaoling Commandery. He was defeated and killed in a campaign led by Pan Jun. Liu Bei posthumously honored Xi Zhen as the Administrator of Zhaoling Commandery. The Eastern Wu restored Zhaoling Commandery to the Northern Commandant of Lingling Commandery.

In the first year of the Baoding era of Emperor Mo of Wu (266 CE), the Northern Commandant of Lingling Commandery was established as Zhaoling Commandery.

In the first year of the Taikang era of Emperor Wu of Jin (280 CE), Sima Yan conquered Wu and, to avoid the naming taboo of his father Sima Zhao, changed Zhaoling to Shaoling Commandery, moving the commandery seat to the north bank of the Zi River.

During the Eastern Jin and Southern Dynasties, the Shaoling Commandery system was maintained, and it was also changed to the Shaoling Principality several times.

In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of Emperor Wen of Sui (589 CE), the Sui Dynasty conquered Chen, abolished Shaoling Commandery, and placed Shaoyang County under Tanzhou.

In the first year of the Daye era of Emperor Yang of Sui (605 CE), Tanzhou, to which Shaoyang County belonged, was renamed Changsha Commandery.

In the fourth year of the Wude era of Emperor Gaozu of Tang (621 CE), the territory of Shaoyang County from the former Sui Dynasty's Changsha Commandery was separated to establish Nanliang Prefecture.

In the tenth year of the Zhenguan era of Emperor Taizong of Tang (636 CE), Nanliang Prefecture was renamed Shao Prefecture.

In the first year of the Tianbao era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (742 CE), Shao Prefecture was renamed Shaoyang Commandery.

In the first year of the Qianyuan era of Emperor Suzong of Tang (758 CE), Shaoyang Commandery was abolished and changed back to Shao Prefecture.

In the third year of the Tianfu era of Emperor Gaozu of Later Jin (938 CE), Ma Chu changed Shao Prefecture to Min Prefecture.

In the first year of the Qianyou era of Emperor Gaozu of Later Han (948 CE), Southern Han changed Min Prefecture back to Shao Prefecture.

The Northern Song and early Southern Song Dynasties continued the administrative system of Shao Prefecture.

In the first year of the Baoqing era of Emperor Lizong of Song (1225 CE), Emperor Lizong Zhao Yun ascended the throne. When he was crown prince, he had been appointed as the Defense Commissioner of Shao Prefecture. Therefore, he named the fief where he had served as Defense Commissioner after his own era name, elevating Shao Prefecture to Baoqing Prefecture.

In the twelfth year of the Zhiyuan era of Emperor Shizu of Yuan (1275 CE), Baoqing Prefecture was established as the Baoqing Pacification Commission.

In the fourteenth year of the Zhiyuan era of Emperor Shizu of Yuan (1277 CE), the Baoqing Pacification Commission was elevated to Baoqing Route.

In the first year of the Hongwu era of Emperor Taizu of Ming (1368 CE), Baoqing Route was restored to Baoqing Prefecture.

The Qing Dynasty continued the administrative system of Baoqing Prefecture.

In the second year of the Republic of China (1913 CE), Baoqing Prefecture was abolished, and Baoqing County was established. The counties within its territory were placed under the Xiangjiang Circuit. In the eleventh year of the Republic of China, it was directly administered by Hunan Province. In the seventeenth year of the Republic of China, Baoqing County was renamed Shaoyang County.

In October 1949, after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Shaoyang District Supervision Commissioner's Office of Hunan Province was established, and Shaoyang City was also established.

In February 1968, the Shaoyang Regional Revolutionary Committee was established, and Shaoyang Special District was renamed Shaoyang Region. During the Cultural Revolution, Shaoyang County, Shaoyang City, Hunan Province, suffered heavy casualties due to large-scale arrests by the Supreme People's Court for the Poor and Lower-Middle Peasants.

In July 1977, Shaoyang City was upgraded to a province-administered city. In October, the northeastern part of Shaoyang Region was separated to establish Lianyuan Region.

In January 1980, Shaoyang City was directly administered by the province.

In January 1986, the State Council approved the abolition of the Shaoyang Region administrative system, implementing a city-leading-county system.

In March 1994, Wugang County was abolished and Wugang City was established, administered on behalf of Shaoyang City.

In July 2019, Shaodong County was abolished and Shaodong City was established, administered on behalf of Shaoyang City.

As of now, the entire city administers two county-level cities, seven counties (including one ethnic autonomous county), and three districts.

3. Geography

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Annual | |-------------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------------| | Record high °C | 24.3 | 28.9 | 35.9 | 34.5 | 36.2 | 37.4 | 39.5 | 38.6 | 37.1 | 35.3 | 33 | 24.6 | 39.5 | | Record high °F | 75.7 | 84 | 96.6 | 94.1 | 97.2 | 99.3 | 103.1 | 101.5 | 98.8 | 95.5 | 91.4 | 76.3 | 103.1 | | Average high °C | 8.7 | 10.2 | 14.4 | 21.1 | 26 | 29.4 | 32.8 | 32.4 | 28.3 | 23 | 17.4 | 12.1 | 21.3 | | Average high °F | 47.7 | 50.4 | 57.9 | 70 | 78.8 | 84.9 | 91 | 90.3 | 82.9 | 73.4 | 63.3 | 53.8 | 70.4 | | Daily mean °C | 5.2 | 6.7 | 10.7 | 16.9 | 21.6 | 25.2 | 28.2 | 27.6 | 23.7 | 18.3 | 12.8 | 7.7 | 17.1 | | Daily mean °F | 41.4 | 44.1 | 51.3 | 62.4 | 70.9 | 77.4 | 82.8 | 81.7 | 74.7 | 64.9 | 55 | 45.9 | 62.7 | | Average low °C | 2.6 | 4.3 | 7.9 | 13.7 | 18.3 | 22 | 24.4 | 24.1 | 20.3 | 14.9 | 9.4 | 4.5 | 13.9 | | Average low °F | 36.7 | 39.7 | 46.2 | 56.7 | 64.9 | 71.6 | 75.9 | 75.4 | 68.5 | 58.8 | 48.9 | 40.1 | 57 | | Record low °C | −10.5 | −6.0 | −0.6 | 2.2 | 9.6 | 14.1 | 18.1 | 18.5 | 12.2 | 3.2 | −1.6 | −6.9 | −10.5 | | Record low °F | 13.1 | 21.2 | 30.9 | 36 | 49.3 | 57.4 | 64.6 | 65.3 | 54 | 37.8 | 29.1 | 19.6 | 13.1 | | Average precipitation mm | 67.5 | 82.8 | 118.4 | 166.2 | 198.7 | 200.4 | 125.4 | 124.3 | 79.6 | 87.7 | 59.6 | 33.8 | 1,344.40 | | Average precipitation inches | 2.66 | 3.26 | 4.66 | 6.54 | 7.82 | 7.89 | 4.94 | 4.89 | 3.13 | 3.45 | 2.35 | 1.33 | 52.92 | | Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 15.3 | 15.3 | 18.6 | 17.8 | 16.9 | 15.2 | 11.4 | 11.6 | 8.8 | 11.7 | 10.1 | 9.6 | 162.3 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Shaoyang City administers 3 municipal districts, 6 counties, 1 autonomous county, and has jurisdiction over 2 county-level cities.

• Municipal Districts: Shuangqing District, Daxiang District, Beita District
• County-level Cities: Wugang City, Shaodong City
• Counties: Xinshao County, Shaoyang County, Longhui County, Dongkou County, Suining County, Xinning County
• Autonomous County: Chengbu Miao Autonomous County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Permanent Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Including: Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|---------------------------|------------------------------|----------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|--------------------------------| | 430500 | Shaoyang City | Shàoyáng Shì | 20,824.37 | 6,563,520 | Daxiang District | 422000 | 36 | 112 | 54 | 15 | | 430502 | Shuangqing District | Shuāngqīng Qū | 135.22 | 317,283 | Dongfenglu Subdistrict | 422000 | 9 | 2 | 1 | | | 430503 | Daxiang District | Dàxiáng Qū | 215.06 | 362,289 | Chengnan Subdistrict | 422000 | 11 | 1 | 2 | | | 430511 | Beita District | Běitǎ Qū | 84.25 | 122,658 | Zhuangyuanzhou Subdistrict | 422000 | 4 | | 1 | | | 430522 | Xinshao County | Xīnshào Xiàn | 1,762.34 | 612,943 | Niangxi Town | 422900 | | 13 | 2 | | | 430523 | Shaoyang County | Shàoyáng Xiàn | 2,001.01 | 752,125 | Tangdukou Town | 422100 | | 12 | 8 | | | 430524 | Longhui County | Lónghuí Xiàn | 2,867.67 | 1,009,778 | Huamen Subdistrict | 422200 | 2 | 18 | 5 | 2 | | 430525 | Dongkou County | Dòngkǒu Xiàn | 2,179.47 | 675,495 | Wenchang Subdistrict | 422300 | 3 | 14 | 6 | 3 | | 430527 | Suining County | Suíníng Xiàn | 2,917.02 | 290,664 | Changpu Town | 422600 | | 8 | 9 | 8 | | 430528 | Xinning County | Xīnníng Xiàn | 2,756.13 | 513,777 | Jinshi Town | 422700 | | 8 | 8 | 2 | | 430529 | Chengbu Miao Autonomous County | Chéngbù Miáozú Zìzhìxiàn | 2,588.35 | 227,911 | Rulin Town | 422500 | | 7 | 5 | | | 430581 | Wugang City | Wǔgāng Shì | 1,539.37 | 640,181 | Yingchunting Subdistrict | 422400 | 4 | 11 | 3 | | | 430582 | Shaodong City | Shàodōng Shì | 1,778.47 | 1,038,416 | Dahetang Subdistrict | 422800 | 3 | 18 | 4 | |

5. Economy

Shaoyang is located in southwestern Hunan. Among the 14 prefecture-level cities in the province, Shaoyang ranks first in total registered population and second in permanent resident population (according to the 2010 census). However, its economic output ranks only 9th, making it a typical city with a large population but a weak economy. Shaoyang's economy relies heavily on income generated by its residents working and doing business outside the city. In 2010, over 868,000 Shaoyang residents were working or doing business elsewhere, accounting for 10.93% of its registered population. Shaodong County is the most representative in this regard, with 384,700 people working outside the county, making up 30.02% of its registered population. In 2011, Shaoyang's GDP was 90.723 billion yuan (approximately 14.046 billion USD), accounting for 4.62% of the provincial total. Its per capita GDP was 12,797 yuan, the lowest among the 14 prefecture-level cities, only 42.9% of the provincial average, 36.5% of the national average, and merely 78% of Guizhou Province's per capita GDP. The city's general public budget revenue was 4.102 billion yuan, translating to a per capita figure of only 514 yuan based on the year-end total population and 577 yuan based on the year-end permanent resident population. The per capita disposable income of urban residents was 13,578 yuan, while the per capita net income of rural residents was 4,373 yuan, both only about two-thirds of the provincial average. Shaoyang's economy is characterized by a small total output and low per capita share, with the primary industry still occupying a significant proportion of the economic structure. Taking 2010 as an example, the proportions of the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were 23.9%, 38.2%, and 37.9%, respectively. Shaodong is the most economically developed county in Shaoyang. In 2010, its economic output ranked 12th among Hunan's counties (county-level cities), while its per capita GDP ranked 32nd.

Shaoyang has a large population but scarce per capita resources. The city's per capita arable land area is less than 0.58 mu, and per capita paddy field area is only 0.46 mu (2010 data). To make a living, Shaoyang people have a long tradition of working and doing business outside the city. According to incomplete statistics, there are over 500,000 Shaoyang merchants across the country whose businesses have reached a certain scale, including 200,000 with assets exceeding 1 million yuan, making them a formidable force in the business world. Among Shaoyang merchants, those from Shaodong are the most representative, with over 50 having assets exceeding 100 million yuan and over 3,000 having assets exceeding 10 million yuan. Shaodong has 300,000 people working and doing business outside the county year-round. Shaodong merchants can be found all over China, with "Shaodong Streets" and "Shaodong Districts" emerging in 253 cities across 27 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions on the mainland. At the same time, Shaodong people have boldly ventured abroad, with merchants present in the United States, Brazil, Japan, France, Italy, India, Spain, the Netherlands, Southeast Asia, and other regions. In recent years, Shaoyang merchants working outside have increasingly returned to invest in their hometown, accounting for a large portion of the investment.

6. Transportation

• National Highway 207, National Highway 320, National Highway 356
• G60 Shanghai–Kunming Expressway
• G55 Erenhot–Guangzhou Expressway
• Hengyang–Shaoyang Expressway
• Shaoyang–Pingshang Expressway
• China High-Speed Railway Yiyang–Zhanjiang Railway
• China High-Speed Railway Huaihua–Hengyang Railway
• Shaoyang Wugang Airport

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7. Population

Preliminary results from the 2010 Sixth National Population Census show that Shaoyang City had a resident population of 7,071,741, accounting for 10.77% of Hunan's population and ranking second in the province, with a population density of 340 persons/km². The sex ratio was 107.95 males per 100 females. By educational attainment, individuals with a university degree or higher accounted for 4.49% of the total population, those with a junior high school education or higher accounted for 60.01%, and the illiteracy rate was 3.24%. There were 1,950,605 household units in the jurisdiction, with a household population of 6,913,913, accounting for 97.77% of the total population; the average household size was 3.54 persons. In terms of age composition, the population aged 14 and below was 1,512,664, accounting for 21.39% of the total population; the population aged 15–64 was 4,862,468, accounting for 68.76%; and the elderly population aged 65 and above was 696,609, accounting for 9.85% of the total population.

According to the 2020 Seventh National Population Census, the city's resident population was 6,563,520. Compared with the 7,071,735 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a decrease of 508,215 people over ten years, a decline of 7.19%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.74%. Among them, the male population was 3,392,314, accounting for 51.68% of the total population; the female population was 3,171,206, accounting for 48.32%. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 106.97. The population aged 0–14 was 1,478,983, accounting for 22.53% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 3,722,828, accounting for 56.72%; and the population aged 60 and above was 1,361,709, accounting for 20.75% of the total population, of which those aged 65 and above numbered 1,024,036, accounting for 15.6%. The urban population was 3,423,660, accounting for 52.16% of the total population; the rural population was 3,139,860, accounting for 47.84%.

At the end of 2022, the city's registered population totaled 2,529,900 households and 8,168,900 people, of which the urban population was 2,188,100 and the rural population was 5,934,400. During the year, the registered births were 51,000, with a birth rate of 6.27‰; deaths were 68,900, with a mortality rate of 8.48‰; and the natural growth rate was -2.21‰.

7.1. Ethnic Groups

Shaoyang is one of the areas in Hunan Province with a relatively concentrated minority population. The population is predominantly Han Chinese, with ethnic minorities displaying a pattern of broad dispersion and small settlements. The indigenous ethnic minorities are the Miao, Yao, Hui, and Dong. Shaoyang is the third-largest settlement area for the Miao population in Hunan, ranks second in the province for the total population of Hui and Dong people, and ranks fourth for the Yao population.

Data analysis from the 2000 Fifth National Population Census shows that the Han population in Shaoyang was 6,533,647, accounting for 93.83% of the regional total population. The city's ethnic minority population was 429,972, accounting for 6.71% of Hunan's ethnic minority population and ranking sixth in the province; ethnic minorities accounted for 6.17% of the regional total population; 39 of China's 55 ethnic minority groups are distributed in the area.

Shaoyang has a Miao population of 333,609, accounting for 3.73% of the national Miao population and 17.36% of Hunan's Miao population, ranking third in the province. The Miao people in Shaoyang account for 4.79% of the regional total population and 77.59% of the regional ethnic minority population, making them the second-largest ethnic group in Shaoyang after the Han. The Miao in Shaoyang are mainly distributed in Chengbu Miao Autonomous County and Suining County.

The Yao, Hui, and Dong populations each exceed 20,000 people. Among them, the Yao population reaches 35,986, accounting for 5.11% of Hunan's Yao population and ranking fourth in the province, 8.37% of the regional ethnic minority population, and 0.52% of the regional total population. The Yao are the third-largest ethnic group in Shaoyang, with settlements in the three Yao townships of Changtang, Luoxi, and Dawu in Dongkou County; the two Yao townships of Huangjin and Malin in Xinning County; the Lianmin Miao and Yao Township in Suining County; and the Huxingshan Yao Township in Longhui County. The city's Hui population reaches 30,139, accounting for 30.95% of Hunan's Hui population, making it the second-largest Hui settlement area after Changde. The Hui account for 0.43% of Shaoyang's total population and 7.01% of the regional ethnic minority population; the Hui are concentrated in the Shanjie Hui Township in Longhui County. The city's Dong population is 22,170, accounting for 2.63% of Hunan's Dong population, making it the second-largest Dong settlement area after Huaihua. The Dong account for 0.32% of Shaoyang's total population and 5.16% of the regional ethnic minority population; the Dong in Shaoyang are concentrated in the Dongshan and Chaoyi Dong townships in Suining County, the Egongling Dong and Miao Township, and the two Miao and Dong townships of Le'anpu and Fengmutuan. Ethnic minorities in Shaoyang with populations over 1,000 include the Tujia and Mongolian, with 1,818 and 1,745 people respectively; those with populations over 500 include the Zhuang and Mulao, with 785 and 537 people respectively; nine ethnic groups including the Manchu and Yi have populations over 100, and ten ethnic groups including the Bai and Wa have populations over 10.

In the city's resident population in 2020, the Han population was 6,143,361, accounting for 93.60%; various ethnic minority populations totaled 420,159, accounting for 6.40%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han population decreased by 470,206, a decline of 7.11%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.08 percentage points; various ethnic minority populations decreased by 38,009, a decline of 8.3%, with their proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.08 percentage points. Among them, the Miao population decreased by 35,610, a decline of 10.05%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.15 percentage points.

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8. Culture

8.1 Local Specialties

Baoqing bamboo carving is a renowned traditional culture of Shaoyang City.

8.2 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Former Residence of Wei Yuan
• Shaoyang North Pagoda
• Former Residence, Mansion, and Tomb of Cai E
• Site of the Tangtian War-Time College
• Ancient City Wall of Baoqing Prefecture
• Wugang City Wall
• Architectural Complex of Ancestral Temples in Dongkou
• Yinjia Hall
• Site of the Command Post of the Seventh Army of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army
• Site of the Second Branch of the Whampoa Military Academy

9. Sister Cities

Hokuto City, Japan (October 15, 1999)

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Daxiang District

Shaodong City

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