Nanyang (南阳)

1. Introduction

Nanyang City, abbreviated as Wan, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Henan Province, People's Republic of China. It is located in the southwestern part of Henan Province and derives its name from being situated south of the Funiu Mountains and north of the Han River (mountains to the south, water to the north). The city borders Xinyang City and Zhumadian City to the east, Pingdingshan City to the northeast, Luoyang City and Sanmenxia City to the northwest, Shangluo City of Shaanxi Province to the west, Shiyan City of Hubei Province to the southwest, and Xiangyang City and Suizhou City of Hubei Province to the south. It lies at the junction of Henan, Hubei, and Shaanxi provinces, within the Funiu Mountain area and the Nanyang Basin. Surrounded by mountains on the northwest, north, and east sides, it is bordered by the Qinling and Funiu Mountains to the north, the Daba and Wudang Mountains to the west, and the Tongbai and Dabie Mountains to the east. The city is located in the upper reaches of the Han River and at the source of the Huai River, with rivers such as the Tang River, Bai River, Laoguan River, Dan River, Qi River, and Tuan River flowing through its territory. The total area of the city is 26,511 square kilometers, with a permanent population of 9.615 million. Nanyang is a nationally recognized historical and cultural city approved in the second batch by the State Council. It is also the location of the Taocha Canal headworks of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project's central route. The city has been honored as an Excellent Tourism City of China and a National Garden City. The scenery in western Nanyang is particularly beautiful, and Xixia County accounts for two-thirds of the production of characteristic Chinese medicinal herbs such as Cornus officinalis (shan zhu yu) in the region. The People's Government of Nanyang City is located at No. 291 Zhongzhou Road, Wolong District, Nanyang City.

2. Historical Origins of the Name

Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Zhou V, Forty-third Year of King Nan states: "The Qin established Nanyang Commandery, as it lies south of the Southern Mountains and north of the Han River." Yuanhe Maps and Records of Commanderies and Counties: Southern Mountains Circuit II records: "King Zhaoxiang of Qin captured the Chao territory and established Nanyang Commandery. As it was in the south of the Central Plains and possessed yang (sun-facing) land, it was thus named Nanyang." Shiming: Explanation of Provinces and States explains: "Nanyang is in the south of the Central Plains and occupies yang land, hence it was given this name." The above records indicate that when the Qin established Nanyang Commandery, it was named because it possessed the dual characteristics of being in the southern direction and occupying yang terrain in ancient Chinese geographical thought—specifically, located south of the Southern Mountains (today's Funiu Mountains) and north of the Han River. This name has been used continuously to the present day.

"Wan" (original pronunciation: yuān; commonly adopted modern pronunciation: wǎn) is the abbreviated name for Nanyang City. In the early Spring and Autumn period, the State of Chu conquered the states of Lü and Shen and established the settlement of Wan here, marking the beginning of the name "Wan." In the 27th year of King Zhaoxiang of Qin (280 BCE), Sima Cuo was dispatched to attack Chu, and pardoned criminals were relocated to Nanyang. From then on, Wan also came to be associated with the name Nanyang. Subsequently, through dynastic changes, the area was at various times established as "Wancheng," "Wan County," "Wanzhou," "Shangwan County," and others. Thus, "Wan" became the conventional abbreviation for "Nanyang City." The famous historical episodes from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, "The Battle of Wancheng" and "Burning of Xinye," also took place in Nanyang.

3. History

500,000 years ago, the Nanzhao Ape Man, contemporaneous with the Peking Man, thrived and multiplied here. Prehistoric relics include the Xixia dinosaur egg fossils, which correspond to the skeletons unearthed in Zigong, Sichuan.

Since written records began, the name Nanyang for this place has existed for over 2,700 years without change. Historically, it was home to Chu and Han cultures. During the Warring States period, it was a famous iron smelting center. Later, it became the seat of Nanyang Commandery, one of the thirty-six commanderies of the Qin Dynasty. In the Western Han Dynasty, it was one of the six major metropolises of the nation. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was the birthplace and the place where Emperor Guangwu, Liu Xiu, rose to prominence, earning it the beautiful reputation of "Southern Capital, Imperial Homeland." In the Ming Dynasty, it was the fief of the Prince of Tang, and today, the Wangfu Mountain (Prince's Mansion Hill) remains. Throughout history, countless individuals have been enfeoffed with the title of Nanyang. Events such as the romantic poet Qu Yuan of the pre-Qin era "holding the horse's reins to admonish the king" and the Qin-Chu "Battle of Danyang" all occurred in Nanyang. It is also the place where the Sage of Strategy, Zhuge Liang, tilled the land and where the "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage" took place. Ancient Nanyang gave birth to historical figures such as Zhang Zhongjing, author of Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders; Zhang Heng, inventor of the armillary sphere; Tao Zhugong Fan Li; Jiang Ziya (Taigong Wang), who helped establish the Zhou Dynasty that lasted eight hundred years; and the famous minister Baili Xi, known as the "Five Rams Minister."

It has been known since ancient times for its "Chu Style and Han Charm." Its subordinate Neixiang County, located at the junction of Henan, Hubei, and Shaanxi provinces, was once exceptionally promoted to the fifth rank (within it, Xichuan is the origin of the Chu State). A complete Qing Dynasty county yamen is preserved there. The Bai River flows through the city as the largest tributary of the Han River. Numerous Han Dynasty pictorial bricks have been unearthed within the old Nanyang Prefecture. In Wolong District, there is a Wuhou Shrine (the Qing Kangxi edition woodblocks were destroyed along with the Medical Sage Temple during the Cultural Revolution), not far from the colorful Dushan Jade origin. It is the only region within Henan Province belonging to the Yangtze River basin, while Xinyang City belongs to the Huai River basin. Today, Nanyang City has 13 nationally designated key cultural relics protection units and 79 provincially designated key cultural relics protection units. It is claimed to be the source of the ancient Silk Road, though the dating is questionable and awaits further research.

3.1 Antiquity to the Qin Dynasty

In ancient times, the existing Nanzhao Ape Man site at Xinghua Mountain indicates that as early as 500,000 years ago, Nanzhao Ape Men were already living on this land. During the Neolithic period, primitive clan tribes existed within the Nanyang area. At Huangshan (anciently called "Rangshan") north of the city, a late Neolithic Yangshao culture site has been discovered.

During the reigns of Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun, the area around Wancheng in Nanyang was called "Lü," the fief of Lü Wang's ancestor, Siyue. During the Yu and Xia periods, "Shen" was also enfeoffed here. The Baliqiao site in Fangcheng County is an important large-scale moated settlement of the Erlitou culture. During the Shang Dynasty, in the Ding-Si year (1264 BC), King Wu Ding of Shang enfeoffed his uncle "Man" in present-day Dengzhou City, Nanyang, establishing the Man-surname Deng State. During the Zhou Dynasty, the Nanyang area was distributed with vassal states such as E, Shen, Lü, Xie, Li, Liao, Zeng, and Ruo. In the fourth year of King Xuan of Zhou (824 BC), King Xuan received his maternal uncle, Shen Bo. To favor his uncle, King Xuan expanded Shen Bo's fief and sent the minister Zhao Bofu with troops to build Xie City for Shen Bo. This marks the beginning of Nanyang's city wall history.

In the early Spring and Autumn period, as the Chu State grew powerful, states within Nanyang like Deng, Lü, Shen, and Zeng were successively conquered by Chu. After Chu destroyed the Shen State, it established Shenlü County as an outpost against Jin and Zheng. It also established Wucheng north of Shen and finally established Wan Yi (Wan City), which later became a famous smelting and casting center. Weapons produced in Wan are described in Xunzi·Discussion on Military Affairs: "The great iron spears of Wan are as cruel as wasps and scorpions; light, sharp, and swift, their assault is like a sudden gale." During the Warring States period in 313 BC, Zhang Yi of Qin deceived King Huai of Chu into breaking off relations with Qi in exchange for six hundred li of Shangyu land from Qin. King Huai fell for the trick, but after breaking with Qi, received only six li. Enraged, King Huai sent troops to attack Qin. The Chu army was heavily defeated by the Qin army in the area of the Dan and Xi rivers in present-day Xichuan, Nanyang, historically known as the "Battle of Danyang."

During the Warring States period, in 312 BC, taking advantage of Chu's vulnerability, Han, Wei, and Qi sent troops south. Wan Yi of Chu was once occupied by Han. In the sixteenth year of King Zhaoxiang of Qin (291 BC), Qin attacked Han, and Wan came under Qin control. After King Zhaoxiang of Qin ascended the throne, he enfeoffed Rang within Nanyang to Wei Ran, known as the Marquis of Rang, and enfeoffed Wan City to Prince Fu, known as the Lord of Jingyang. In the thirty-fifth year of King Zhaoxiang of Qin (272 BC), Qin established Nanyang Commandery, with its seat in present-day Wancheng. At the end of the Qin Dynasty, during Chen Sheng's uprising, he sent Song Liu to lead troops intending to advance westward from Wuguan to attack Xianyang. After capturing Nanyang, Song Liu continued westward. After Chen Sheng was killed, Nanyang was recaptured by Qin forces. Song Liu failed to take Wuguan and dared not attack Nanyang again, ultimately surrendering to the Qin army. In the third year of the Second Emperor of Qin (207 BC), Liu Bang took advantage of Xiang Yu's fierce battles in Hebei to seize Kaifeng and then attacked Nanyang. The Governor of Nanyang Commandery retreated to defend Wancheng. Liu Bang initially planned to bypass Wancheng and advance westward but was dissuaded by Zhang Liang. He then besieged Wancheng, forcing the governor to surrender. Subsequently, Liu Bang advanced west and captured Wuguan. The following year, Prince Ying of Qin was forced to surrender, and the Qin Dynasty perished.

3.2 Han to Three Kingdoms Period

During the Western Han Dynasty, Nanyang remained a nationally important iron smelting base, with both state-managed workshops and privately operated ones. The Kong family, which had been in the iron smelting business for generations, was particularly famous. During Emperor Wu of Han's reign, to increase state revenue, he vigorously adjusted fiscal policies and appointed Kong Jin as the Grand Minister of Agriculture, responsible for managing salt and iron affairs. The central government set up gongguan (artisan officials) and tieguan (iron officials) in Nanyang. The gongguan produced gold, silver, bronze, and lacquerware, while the tieguan produced various iron tools. According to statistics, the producers under these two departments numbered 47,547 households, demonstrating the prosperity of Nanyang's handicraft industry. The iron smelting sites preserved today in various parts of Nanyang bear witness to this history. During the Han Dynasty, Nanyang's commerce was developed. Wancheng, as the seat of Nanyang Commandery, was known as one of the Five Capitals alongside Luoyang, Handan, Linzi, and Chengdu. On the first day of the second month in the fourth year of the Dihuang era of Xin Mang (23 AD), the Xinshi and Pinglin troops of the Green Forest Army supported Liu Xuan as the Gengshi Emperor, establishing an altar for his ascension on the banks of the Yu River south of Nanyang city and changing the era name to "Gengshi." Subsequently, Liu Xiu, relying on the Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai and Nanyang's financial resources, eventually reunified the realm, established his capital in Luoyang, and founded the Eastern Han Dynasty. Nanyang reached its historical peak—becoming the Southern Capital, one of the three capitals of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the second-largest metropolis after the capital Luoyang. At that time, Nanyang had many prominent families who dominated local social development. During the Han-Wei transition, due to intensified social contradictions, large-scale turmoil occurred in Nanyang. In the first year of the Zhongping era (184 AD), the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out. Zhang Mancheng raised troops in Nanyang, captured Wancheng, and killed the Governor of Nanyang, shocking the court, which began full-scale suppression. The rebel leaders Zhang Man, Zhao Hong, Han Zhong, and Sun Xia successively died in battle at Wancheng, and the Yellow Turban Army ultimately failed in Nanyang. For nearly a year, Wancheng, as a central area of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, experienced fierce battles and suffered severe destruction. After the failure of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Nanyang became a key area contested by warlords. First, Liu Biao garrisoned Jingzhou, using Nanyang as his northern gateway. Then, Zhang Xiu occupied Nanyang, ostensibly allied with Liu Biao. Next, Cao Cao fought a bloody battle at Wancheng and finally accepted Zhang Xiu's surrender. It was during this period that Zhuge Liang tilled the land in Nanyang. Because of Liu Bei's "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage," he proposed the famous "Eternal Strategy," providing a set of statecraft for Liu Bei to occupy Jingzhou, then seize Yizhou, and establish the Shu Han regime. Sima Yi, a key minister of Cao Wei, also once stationed troops at Wancheng.

3.3 Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

During the Tang Dynasty, the Nanyang region enjoyed prosperous agriculture, industry, and commerce.

During the confrontation between the Southern Song and Jin dynasties, Nanyang served as a frontline, changing hands several times. When Yue Fei marched north to resist the Jin, he passed by Wolonggang in Nanyang and personally inscribed Zhuge Liang's Former and Later Memorials on the Expedition at the Nanyang Wuhou Shrine to express his determination to recover lost territory. Starting from the Northern Song Dynasty, Nanyang, situated at the center of the three major regions of Guanzhong (Xi'an), Heluo (Luoyang), and Jianghan (Jingzhou), lost the glory of the Qin and Han periods due to the eastward shift of the political center and the transfer of the central city in the Jianghan region from Jiangling to Wuhan.

In the early Ming Dynasty, Nanyang was the fief of Zhu Jing, the 23rd son of Zhu Yuanzhang, titled the Prince of Tang. Before his enfeoffment, the court sent people to Nanyang to undertake large-scale construction, building the grand Tang Prince's Mansion (the present-day Wangfu Mountain remains). In the late Ming Dynasty, the situation was turbulent. In 1633, the peasant rebel army led by Zhang Xianzhong attacked Nanyang but was thwarted by Zuo Liangyu's army. Thereafter, rebel activities in Nanyang did not cease. In 1638, Zhang Xianzhong, disguising his troops as government soldiers, attacked Nanyang again and was again defeated by Zuo Liangyu's army. In September 1641, after a great victory at Xiangcheng, Li Zicheng took advantage of the momentum to attack Nanyang in October. On November 4th, he captured the northwest of Nanyang city and killed Prince of Tang Zhu Yuqian on Qilingang west of Nanyang city. In 1642, Li Zicheng attacked Nanyang again, and the rebel army successfully controlled Nanyang. In 1643, Li Zicheng declared himself King in Xiangyang, in 1644 he declared himself Emperor in Xi'an, and in the same year led troops to attack Beijing. After suffering defeat in Beijing, he was pursued by Qing troops led by Dodo. Li Zicheng entered Hubei via Dengzhou and fled south. In the first month of 1645, the counties under Kaifeng and Guide prefectures surrendered to the Qing. By the end of the third month, Dodo petitioned the court to appoint Gao Di as the General-in-Chief guarding Kaifeng and Guide in Henan. Gao Di pacified Nanyang, Kaifeng, and other prefectures, successfully controlling the Central Plains region, including Nanyang.During the Qing Dynasty, to facilitate control over the southern territories, the Qing government vigorously constructed post roads and organized courier stations. The main post road connecting Beijing to Yunnan and Guizhou passed through Nanyang, and the Wancheng Courier Station, located in the eastern part of the city, served as an important midway relay point. The establishment of these post roads helped revive Nanyang's economy, and local industry, commerce, and agricultural production began to flourish. Due to the smooth land routes, Nanyang became a crucial transportation hub connecting Beijing to Huguang, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan, with land post roads linking to waterway docks. At that time, Nanyang developed a transportation pattern characterized by "southern boats and northern horses." Merchants from Shanxi, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang gathered there, leading to prosperous industry and commerce, and Nanyang became the economic center of southwestern Henan. Goods were loaded and unloaded from countless ships, and merchants from all directions traded here, restoring prosperity to the long-quiet city of Nanyang. In the late Qing Dynasty, the opening of the Beijing-Hankou Railway shifted the main transportation route eastward, and the Wancheng Courier Station was subsequently abolished. As a result, Nanyang lost its advantage as a land and water transportation hub, and its economic development was affected. During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, the construction industry was particularly advanced, with ancient buildings such as the Wuhou Temple and the Shan-Shaan Guild Hall standing grand and magnificent. In the tenth year of the Guangxu reign, Zhenping began producing silk, which was sold as far as Europe and Southeast Asian countries.

3.4 The Republican Period

In the early years of the Republic of China, shortly after the Wuchang Uprising, several southern provinces declared independence. However, Nanyang remained under the control of Qing forces. The Qing court stationed the Nanyang Commander-in-Chief at the border of Dengzhou and Xinye, preparing for a decisive battle against the advancing revolutionary army. They also suppressed revolutionary forces within Nanyang, arresting and executing revolutionaries. These actions by the Qing court provoked outrage among Henan-born revolutionaries in the "Lü E Fenyong Jun" (Hubei-based Volunteer Army). They elected young officer Ma Yunqing as their leader and organized the Henan "Lü E Fenyong Jun," vowing to march north. On February 18, 1912, they captured Nanyang city, causing the Nanyang Prefect and County Magistrate to flee. This marked the end of Qing Dynasty rule in Nanyang. Subsequently, Nanyang experienced warlord conflicts and Japanese invasion. In January 1941, to connect the occupied areas of northern Hubei and southern Henan by linking the Pinghan Railway, Japanese forces engaged in battle with the troops of the 5th War Zone led by Li Zongren, in what became known as the "Southern Henan Campaign." In March 1945, the Japanese attempted to advance from Nanyang toward Sichuan and Shaanxi for a strategic decisive battle. On March 18, Japanese forces invaded Nanyang. Liu Zhi, commander of the 5th War Zone, ordered Liu Ruming, commander-in-chief of the 2nd Army Group, to assign a division to defend Nanyang firmly. This task was given to Huang Qiaosong's 143rd Division, whose soldiers swore to turn Nanyang into China's Stalingrad and resist the Japanese to the end. In late March, the Japanese attacked Nanyang with superior forces and eventually occupied its outskirts. However, due to heavy losses, they changed their plans, halted the assault on the city center, and instead deployed several divisions along two routes: one from northern and western Nanyang toward Neixiang and Xixia, and the other from southern Nanyang toward Deng County and Laohekou. After capturing Deng County and Laohekou, the Japanese turned back to attack Nanyang with a brigade, intending to use it as a rear base. After ten days and nights of fighting, on March 29, Liu Ruming deemed it meaningless to hold Nanyang in isolation and ordered Huang Qiaosong to retreat to Yunyang. Nanyang subsequently fell. During the Chinese Civil War, Nanyang was a militarily strategic location in the Henan-Shaanxi-Hubei border region, and the Tongbai area was an important part of the Communist Party's Dabie Mountain revolutionary base.

On November 4, 1948, the Communist Party captured the entire territory of Nanyang, ending Kuomintang rule over the area. Recognizing Nanyang's strategic importance, Mao Zedong personally wrote a commentary titled "Our Army in the Central Plains Occupies Nanyang," which was broadcast in full by Xinhua News Agency. In March 1949, the newly established Henan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party decided to establish the Nanyang Prefectural Committee. It announced that Ye County and Wuyang County, originally under the jurisdiction of Nanyang Special Administrative Office, would be transferred to Xuchang Prefecture. Twelve counties (cities)—Nanyang City, Nanyang County, Nanzhao County, Zhenping County, Neixiang County, Xichuan County, Deng County, Xinye County, Tanghe County, Tongbai County, Biyang County, and Fangcheng County—remained under the jurisdiction of the Nanyang Special Administrative Office.

3.5 The People's Republic of China Period

On November 13, 1965, with the approval of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Nanyang Prefecture governed 13 counties (cities): Nanyang City, Nanyang County, Nanzhao County, Zhenping County, Neixiang County, Xichuan County, Deng County, Xinye County, Tanghe County, Tongbai County, Fangcheng County, Xixia County, and Sheqi County. Biyang County was transferred to Zhumadian Prefecture. In July 1994, the State Council approved the abolition of Nanyang Prefecture and the establishment of the prefecture-level Nanyang City. The county-level Nanyang City and Nanyang County were abolished, and Wancheng District and Wolong District were established, implementing a city-led county administrative system. This marked the beginning of a new historical development period for Nanyang. In December 2009, the Nanyang Municipal Committee decided to establish Yahe Industrial Zone and Guanzhuang Industrial Zone, both at the county-level规格. In November 2010, Guanzhuang Industrial Zone and Yahe Industrial Zone officially began operations. As of 2019, Nanyang administers two districts—Wolong and Wancheng—and 11 counties (cities): Nanzhao, Zhenping, Neixiang, Xichuan, Xinye, Tanghe, Tongbai, Fangcheng, Xixia, Sheqi, and Dengzhou City. It also includes four functional zones: High-Tech Zone, Demonstration Zone, Guanzhuang Industrial Zone, and Yahe Industrial Zone. The city comprises 45 townships, 159 towns, 41 subdistricts, 4,539 administrative villages, and 415 communities. Nanyang is the largest prefecture-level city in Henan Province by land area and population.

4. Geography

The urban area of Nanyang City is located between 32°57'–33°07' N latitude and 112°21'–112°38' E longitude. The entire Nanyang City lies within 32°17'–33°48' N latitude and 110°58'–113°49' E longitude. The Nanyang region is situated on the slope of the transition zone from China's second-level geomorphic step to the third-level geomorphic step. Nanyang is surrounded by mountains on its north, east, and west sides, with hilly terrain to the south, forming an approximately horseshoe-shaped basin. The total area is 26,600 square kilometers, with mountains, hills, and plains each accounting for about one-third. It has 13.12 million mu of arable land. Nanyang administers 1 county-level city, 2 districts, and 10 counties, making it the largest city by area in Henan Province.

4.1 Mountain Ranges

The Funiu Mountains are located in the northwest of Nanyang, and the Tongbai Mountains are in the southeast. Within the urban area of Nanyang City, there are nine isolated mountains: Fengshan, Yinshan, Pushan, Dushan, Yangmoshan, Zishan, Zheshan, and Tazishan.

4.2 Water Systems

The city's water systems belong to three major river basins: most of the central and western regions are part of the Han River Basin (Yangtze River Basin); Tongbai County in the southeast is the source of the Huai River, belonging to the Huai River Basin; and a small area north of the Funiu Mountain watershed in Nanzhao County belongs to the Yellow River Basin. The rivers belong to the Yangtze and Huai River systems, with ten rivers exceeding 100 kilometers in length. The main rivers in the city include the Danjiang, Tanghe, Baihe, Huaibe, Guanhe, and Tuanhe. The Danjiangkou Reservoir is primarily located in Xichuan, Nanyang, and is the largest artificial freshwater lake in Asia. It also serves as the water source for the central route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The Yahe Reservoir in Nanzhao is the second-largest reservoir in Henan Province and a major water source for Nanzhao County and Nanyang City.

4.3 Climate

Nanyang is located in the northern part of the northern subtropical zone and experiences a semi-humid continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn last 55–70 days, summer 110–120 days, and winter 110–135 days. The annual average temperature ranges from 14.4°C to 15.7°C, with July averaging 26.9–28.0°C and January averaging 0.5–2.4°C. Annual precipitation is 703.6–1173.4 mm, annual sunshine hours are 1897.9–2120.9 hours, and the annual frost-free period lasts 220–245 days.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |------------------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|--------|--------|--------|--------|-------|-------|-------|--------| | Record High °C | 20.5 | 22.8 | 29 | 33.2 | 38.9 | 39.3 | 39.7 | 37.9 | 39 | 32.9 | 28.1 | 20.6 | 39.7 | | Record High °F | 68.9 | 73 | 84.2 | 91.8 | 102 | 102.7 | 103.5 | 100.2 | 102.2 | 91.2 | 82.6 | 69.1 | 103.5 | | Average High °C | 6.6 | 9.8 | 14.7 | 21.5 | 26.9 | 30.9 | 31.4 | 30.4 | 26.8 | 21.8 | 15.1 | 8.8 | 20.4 | | Average High °F | 43.9 | 49.6 | 58.5 | 70.7 | 80.4 | 87.6 | 88.5 | 86.7 | 80.2 | 71.2 | 59.2 | 47.8 | 68.7 | | Daily Mean °C | 1.6 | 4.5 | 9.2 | 15.9 | 21.3 | 25.6 | 27 | 26 | 21.7 | 16.2 | 9.3 | 3.5 | 15.2 | | Daily Mean °F | 34.9 | 40.1 | 48.6 | 60.6 | 70.3 | 78.1 | 80.6 | 78.8 | 71.1 | 61.2 | 48.7 | 38.3 | 59.3 | | Average Low °C | −2.2 | 0.2 | 4.5 | 10.8 | 16 | 20.8 | 23.5 | 22.5 | 17.7 | 11.8 | 5 | −0.5 | 10.8 | | Average Low °F | 28 | 32.4 | 40.1 | 51.4 | 60.8 | 69.4 | 74.3 | 72.5 | 63.9 | 53.2 | 41 | 31.1 | 51.5 | | Record Low °C | −12.8 | −13.9 | −6.5 | −0.4 | 5 | 11.8 | 17.2 | 14 | 8.5 | −1.2 | −4.5 | −17.5 | −17.5 | | Record Low °F | 9 | 7 | 20.3 | 31.3 | 41 | 53.2 | 63 | 57.2 | 47.3 | 29.8 | 23.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | | Average Precipitation mm | 13 | 15.9 | 34.2 | 41.9 | 75.4 | 121.8 | 188.3 | 130.7 | 76.2 | 51.5 | 31.4 | 13 | 793.3 | | Average Precipitation inches | 0.51 | 0.63 | 1.35 | 1.65 | 2.97 | 4.8 | 7.41 | 5.15 | 3 | 2.03 | 1.24 | 0.51 | 31.25 | | Average Precipitation Days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 4.5 | 5 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 9.5 | 9.9 | 12.3 | 10.4 | 9.2 | 8.8 | 6 | 3.8 | 95.4 | | Average Relative Humidity (%) | 70 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 81 | 82 | 77 | 74 | 73 | 70 | 73 |

5. Administrative Divisions

Nanyang City administers 2 municipal districts, 10 counties, and has jurisdiction over 1 county-level city on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Wancheng District, Wolong District
• County-level City: Dengzhou City
• Counties: Nanzhao County, Fangcheng County, Xixia County, Zhenping County, Neixiang County, Xichuan County, Sheqi County, Tanghe County, Xinye County, Tongbai County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|--------------------------|----------------|-------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|----------------------| | 411300 | Nanyang City | Nányáng Shì | 26,511.48 | 9,713,112 | Wolong District | 473000 | 39 | 159 | 45 | 2 | | 411302 | Wancheng District | Wǎnchéng Qū | 971.02 | 992,021 | Dongguan Subdistrict| 473000 | 9 | 6 | 4 | | | 411303 | Wolong District | Wòlóng Qū | 1,016.11 | 1,093,659 | Qiyi Subdistrict | 473000 | 9 | 9 | 2 | | | 411321 | Nanzhao County | Nánzhào Xiàn | 2,931.82 | 545,475 | Chengguan Town | 474600 | | 8 | 8 | | | 411322 | Fangcheng County | Fāngchéng Xiàn | 2,543.18 | 873,731 | Fengrui Subdistrict | 473200 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 1 | | 411323 | Xixia County | Xīxiá Xiàn | 3,445.42 | 450,418 | Zijin Subdistrict | 474500 | 3 | 15 | 1 | | | 411324 | Zhenping County | Zhènpíng Xiàn | 1,493.96 | 829,780 | Nieyang Subdistrict | 474200 | 3 | 15 | 4 | 1 | | 411325 | Neixiang County | Nèixiāng Xiàn | 2,304.84 | 549,068 | Chengguan Town | 474300 | | 12 | 4 | | | 411326 | Xichuan County | Xīchuān Xiàn | 2,819.80 | 538,569 | Longcheng Subdistrict| 474400 | 2 | 11 | 4 | | | 411327 | Sheqi County | Shèqí Xiàn | 1,152.81 | 561,573 | Shedian Town | 473300 | 2 | 13 | 1 | | | 411328 | Tanghe County | Tánghé Xiàn | 2,497.11 | 1,052,978 | Binhe Subdistrict | 473400 | 4 | 14 | 5 | | | 411329 | Xinye County | Xīnyě Xiàn | 1,061.28 | 602,827 | Hancheng Subdistrict| 473500 | 2 | 8 | 5 | | | 411330 | Tongbai County | Tóngbǎi Xiàn | 1,913.82 | 375,206 | Chengguan Town | 474700 | | 13 | 3 | | | 411381 | Dengzhou City | Dèngzhōu Shì | 2,360.32 | 1,247,807 | Gucheng Subdistrict | 474100 | 3 | 21 | 3 | |

6. Economy

In 2014, the city's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached 234.709 billion yuan, an increase of 8.6% over the previous year. Specifically, the added value of the primary industry was 38.283 billion yuan, up by 4.2%; the secondary industry added 118.450 billion yuan, growing by 9.3%; and the tertiary industry added 77.977 billion yuan, an increase of 9.6%. The industrial structure was 16.3:50.5:33.2. The city's total local fiscal revenue for the year was 23.400 billion yuan, a 14.4% increase year-on-year. Local public finance budget revenue was 14.102 billion yuan, up by 14.1%. Ten counties (districts) in the city had a local public finance budget revenue exceeding 500 million yuan, with Xixia County surpassing 1 billion yuan.

6.1 Agriculture

Nanyang has long been known as the "Granary of Central China." During the Qin and Han dynasties, agricultural production began to take shape. In the Jianzhao period of Emperor Yuan of Han, the prefect of Nanyang, Zhao Xinchen, "encouraged the people to engage in farming and sericulture," advocated for water conservancy projects, and reclaimed wasteland. In the early Jianwu period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Prefect Du Shi further "repaired dams and slopes and expanded land." In subsequent dynasties, Nanyang's agriculture developed to varying degrees. From the late Qing Dynasty through the period of Japanese invasion and the Chinese Civil War, Nanyang's agricultural production was severely affected. Following the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee in the People's Republic period, rural economic system reforms were implemented, leading to the development and progress of Nanyang's agriculture. Currently, Nanyang is a major national production base for grain, cotton, oil, and tobacco. In normal years, its total grain output accounts for about 11% of Henan Province and 1% of the nation; cotton accounts for 20% of the province and 4% nationally; oil crops account for 13% of the province and 2% nationally. Six counties (cities/districts) are national commodity grain and cotton bases, and three are national high-quality cotton bases. Nanyang cattle rank first among China's five major fine breeds. Nanyang's rose production and sales volume lead the nation, with export volume ranking first globally. The Nanyang Rose Base is the largest rose seedling production base in China.

6.2 Industry

Historically, Nanyang's metallurgical industry was relatively developed. In the late Qing and early Republic of China periods, factories with modern industrial prototypes, such as machinery, chemical, and textile plants, emerged in Nanyang. Currently, the city's total industrial economic output ranks third in Henan Province, following only the provincial capital Zhengzhou and the province's second-largest city, Luoyang. There are 1,200 industrial enterprises above a designated size, ranking second in the province, and over 130,000 various industrial enterprises. Companies such as Henan Tianguan Enterprise Group Co., Ltd., Jinguan Electrical Group, Pukang Pharmaceutical Group, Nanyang Textile Group, Xinye Cotton Textile Group, Henan Oilfield, and Lucky Film Factory have entered the ranks of China's top 520 major enterprises. The city has initially formed key industries including machinery and electronics, petroleum, chemicals, metallurgy, building materials, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and light industrial food. Products such as alcohol, petroleum, film, Chinese and Western medicines, textiles, explosion-proof motors, cigarettes, cement, natural soda ash, and auto parts hold significant positions within the province and even nationally. Fuel ethanol was listed as a national pilot promotion project during the Tenth Five-Year Plan period.

6.3 Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry

Nanyang is a "natural medicine repository" rich in Chinese medicinal materials. Its unique natural conditions and suitable geographical environment nurture abundant resources of Chinese medicinal herbs. The area hosts both northern and southern Chinese animal and plant-based medicinal materials. As of 2008, 2,356 types of natural medicinal materials have been identified within its territory, including over 50 renowned and high-quality varieties, with a total reserve exceeding 250 million kilograms, mostly pollution-free organic herbs. Ten major Chinese medicinal material bases, focusing on Nanzhao Magnolia, Xixia Cornus and Gastrodia, Tongbai Platycodon, Fangcheng Yudanshen, Dengzhou Ophiopogon, Neixiang Turmeric, Zhenping Eucommia, Tanghe Gardenia, and Sheqi Isatis root, have developed rapidly. Among them, five bases—Nanzhao Magnolia, Xixia Cornus, Fangcheng Yudanshen, Tanghe Gardenia, and Pinellia—have passed national certification for geographical indication protection. The Xixia and Neixiang Cornus bases were confirmed as one of the first eight national GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) demonstration bases for Chinese medicinal materials. Major pharmaceutical enterprises include: Henan Wanxi Pharmaceutical Company (Xixia), Henan Fusen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Xichuan), and Huafeng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Fangcheng).

6.4 Major Enterprises

Sinopec Henan Oilfield Company (Sinopec Group Henan Petroleum Exploration Bureau), China Tobacco Henan Industrial Co., Ltd. Nanyang Cigarette Factory, China United Cement Group Co., Ltd. Nanyang Branch, Henan Tianguan Enterprise Group Co., Ltd., Nanyang Explosion-proof Group Co., Ltd., Nanyang Erji Petroleum Equipment (Group) Co., Ltd., Lucky Huaguang Printing Technology Co., Ltd., Henan Zhongguang Group Co., Ltd., Yuxi Industrial Group Co., Ltd., Henan Zhongnan Industrial Co., Ltd., Henan Longcheng Group Co., Ltd., Henan Xichuan Aluminum (Group) Co., Ltd., Henan Wanxi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Henan Xibao Metallurgical Materials Group Co., Ltd., Henan Xinye Textile Group Co., Ltd., Henan Zhongyuan Chemical Co., Ltd., Xichuan County Fusen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanyang Xijian Automotive Shock Absorber Co., Ltd., Muyuan Food Co., Ltd., Henan Tongyu Metallurgical Materials Group, Henan Shedian Laojiu Co., Ltd., Xixia Automobile Water Pump Co., Ltd., Xixia County Internal Combustion Engine Exhaust Pipe Co., Ltd., Horqin Cattle Industry Nanyang Co., Ltd., Henan Tiangong Construction Group Co., Ltd., Nanyang Textile Group Co., Ltd., Nanyang Wanyun Group Co., Ltd. Listed Companies: Xinye Textile, Lida Optoelectronics, Xipump Shares, Muyuan Shares, Jiangnan Red Arrow (Henan Zhongnan Industrial Co., Ltd.), Yuanxing Energy (Henan Zhongyuan Chemical Co., Ltd.), China Auto Parts (Nanyang Xijian Automotive Shock Absorber Co., Ltd.).

6.5 Service Industry

6.5.1 Financial Industry

Nanyang currently hosts 12 national commercial banks: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, China Postal Savings Bank, Bank of Communications, China CITIC Bank, China Minsheng Bank, China Everbright Bank, China Guangfa Bank, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, and China Merchants Bank. Regional commercial banks: Zhongyuan Bank, Zhengzhou Bank, Henan Rural Commercial Bank, Xixia Rural Commercial Bank, Tongbai Rural Commercial Bank, Dengzhou Rural Commercial Bank, Nanyang Village Bank, Henan Fangcheng Fengyu Village Bank, Henan Xinye Jianxin Village Bank. Two policy banks: The People's Bank of China Nanyang Central Sub-branch, and the Agricultural Development Bank of China Nanyang Branch. Nine securities companies: Minsheng Securities, Zhongyuan Securities, AVIC Securities, Changjiang Securities, CITIC Securities (Shandong), Founder Securities, Guotai Junan Securities, Shenwan Hongyuan Securities, and China Merchants Securities.

6.5.2 Information Industry

Nanyang's IT industry has gradually expanded. National east-west and north-south communication optical cable trunk lines intersect in Nanyang. On March 21, 2005, telephone numbers were upgraded to 8 digits. Optical cables from operators such as Nanyang Mobile, Unicom, Telecom, and the broadcasting and television department have been laid to all counties, districts, cities, and townships across the city. The city has basically established a three-dimensional communication network covering the entire city, reaching urban areas and townships (including over 90% of villages), primarily based on optical cable transmission, integrating program-controlled switching, digital transmission, and intelligent networking. Telephone access has been achieved in every administrative village. As of 2021, Nanyang City had a total of 9.0505 million mobile phone users, including 6.0883 million 4G phone users, and 10.8368 million international internet users. The mobile phone penetration rate was 94.0 units per 100 people.

7. Transportation

Historically, Nanyang was a crucial transportation hub in central China, renowned as the "place where southern boats meet northern horses." During the Qin and Han dynasties, Nanyang possessed a radiating network of water and land routes, described as "connecting to Wu Pass and Yun Pass in the west, receiving the Han, Yangtze, and Huai rivers in the southeast," and "channeling the Huai and drawing the Tuan, linking three directions." In the Tang dynasty, the Nanyang Basin served as the transportation nexus between the eastern and western political centers and the north-south grain transport routes. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Nanyang Basin gradually developed a waterway network centered on the Danjiang, Tuanshui, Baihe, and Tanghe rivers, and a land route network based on the Fangcheng Road, Sanya Road, Shangluo Road, Dengzhou Road, and Tongbai Road. Prosperous towns included Nanyang, Xinye, Wadian, Shiqiao, Tanghe, and Shedian along the Tangbai River, as well as Jingziguan and Liguanqiao Town in the Xichuan Danjiang River basin.

During the period of the Republic of China on the mainland and before the 1970s after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Nanyang Basin gradually declined due to poor transportation access. This, coupled with the vigorous development of railway networks in surrounding cities and the loss of Nanyang's river transport capacity due to the construction of the Yahekou Reservoir, severely constrained Nanyang's economic development. The opening of the Jiaozuo–Zhicheng Railway in the 1970s improved Nanyang's transportation situation. It was not until after the 1990s, with the acceleration of China's Western Development program, that the Nanjing–Xi'an Railway made Nanyang a new railway hub. Concurrently, Nanyang's expressway construction developed rapidly. From the opening of its first expressway in 2004, the total expressway mileage reached 643 kilometers by the end of 2014, ranking first in Henan Province. Currently, among the 13 county-level divisions under Nanyang's jurisdiction, 9 have railway access and 11 have expressway access. With improved transportation, Nanyang has formed a regional logistics center. In 2010, Nanyang City was listed by China's Ministry of Transport as one of the first pilot cities for the "National Highway Transport Hub." According to the plan, Nanyang's urban area will construct 7 passenger transport stations and 5 freight transport stations.

7.1 Railway

The Jiaozuo–Liuzhou Railway and the Zhengzhou–Chongqing High-Speed Railway run north-south, while the Nanjing–Xi'an Railway runs east-west. Nanyang's urban area has two main railway passenger stations: Nanyang Station and Nanyang East Station, both classified as first-class stations. Nanyang Station, opened in 1970, serves conventional-speed passenger and freight trains and is the junction of the Jiaozuo–Liuzhou and Nanjing–Xi'an conventional-speed trunk lines. Nanyang East Station on the Zhengzhou–Chongqing High-Speed Railway opened in 2019, ending Nanyang's history of not having high-speed rail service. Additionally, the Haoji Railway, opened in 2019, passes through western and southern counties/cities of Nanyang such as Xixia, Xichuan, Neixiang, and Dengzhou, and is a heavy-haul coal transport railway.

• China State Railway Group Jiaozuo–Liuzhou Line: Yueshan --- Nanzhao Station --- Nanyang Station --- Dengzhou Station --- Xiangyang --- Liuzhou
• China State Railway Group Nanjing–Xi'an Line: Nanjing --- Hefei --- Xinyang --- Tongbai Station --- Tanghe Station --- Nanyang Station --- Zhenping Station --- Neixiang Station --- Xixia Station --- Xi'an
• China State Railway Group Zhengzhou–Chongqing High-Speed Railway: Zhengzhou East Station --- Fangcheng Station --- Nanyang East Station --- Dengzhou East Station --- Xiangyang East Station --- Chongqing North Station
• China State Railway Group Haoji Railway: Haolebaoji South Station --- Xixia West Station --- Neixiang West Station --- Xichuan Station --- Dengzhou West Station --- Ji'an Station

7.2 Highway

National Highways and Provincial Highways: National Highways 312, 207, 209, and Provincial Highways Yu 01 and Yu 02 traverse the city vertically and horizontally.

Expressways: The city's first expressway, the Xuchang–Pingdingshan–Nanyang Expressway, opened to traffic in 2004, reducing the travel time from Nanyang to Zhengzhou to 4 hours. By the end of 2021, Nanyang's expressway mileage reached 832 kilometers, ranking first in Henan Province. Meanwhile, Nanyang's central urban area formed an 80-kilometer-long ring expressway.

Currently operational expressways:

• G40 Shanghai–Xi'an Expressway
• G55 Erenhot–Guangzhou Expressway
• G59 Hohhot–Beihai Expressway (passes through Xixia County)
• G0421 Xuchang–Guangzhou Expressway (passes through Tongbai County)
• S57 Mianchi–Xichuan Expressway
• S62 Huaibei–Neixiang Expressway (formerly S98 Neixiang–Dengzhou Expressway; the Neixiang–Dengzhou section opened to traffic as of July 2023)
• S81 Shangqiu–Nanyang Expressway
• S83 Lankao–Nanyang Expressway
• S99 Dengzhou–Laohekou Expressway

Provincial expressways under construction:

• S49 Jiaozuo–Tanghe Expressway
• Nanyang–Dengzhou Expressway

National expressways in the planning stage:

• G3612 Pingdingshan–Nanyang–Yichang Expressway (the Pingdingshan–Nanyang section corresponds to the Pingdingshan–Nanyang section of S83 Lankao–Nanyang Expressway; the Nanyang–Xinye section is in the planning stage)
• G3613 Luoyang–Neixiang Expressway

7.3 Civil Aviation

In April 1934, Chiang Kai-shek ordered the construction of the old Nanyang Airport to strengthen the "encirclement and suppression" campaign against the Chinese Communist Party. The airport was later occupied by Japanese forces. After Japan's surrender, it was used by the Nationalist Government of the Republic of China. In May 1948, Wang Lingyun, the Kuomintang garrison commander, organized laborers to rebuild the airport over three months. After Nanyang was captured by the Chinese Communist Party in 1948, the airport was taken over by the CCP. Nanyang Aviation Station was established in 1958, and the Nanyuan Navigation Station was built in 1973. In 1988, Nanyang decided to relocate and expand the airport to Jiangying Longwang Temple in the southeast of the urban area. The relocation project started in April 1991, and the new Nanyang Airport was completed and put into use in October 1992, simultaneously closing the old airport. On April 28, 2008, the China Southern Airlines Nanyang Flight Training Base was established. In the same year, the terminal building of Nanyang Airport began renovation and expansion.

Currently, Nanyang Jiangying Airport is a standard 4D-class airport with a 2800m × 50m runway. It is one of only four established regular civil airports in Henan Province, capable of handling medium-sized passenger and cargo aircraft like the Boeing 757. It offers direct flights to cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhengzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Dalian, Kunming, Nanning, Tianjin, and Haikou.

7.4 Urban Transportation

Roads in Nanyang's central urban area follow right-hand traffic and are divided into motor vehicle lanes and bicycle lanes. Ordinary citizens primarily use bicycles, electric vehicles, public buses, and taxis as their main modes of transport.

Nanyang has over 40 bus routes covering the urban and suburban areas. The taxi starting fare is 6 yuan (including the first 2 kilometers), with an additional 1 yuan per kilometer thereafter. Additionally, there are a small number of private motorcycle taxis and three-wheeled motorcycles (autorickshaws) in the central urban area, although their operation is prohibited by local law.

8. Education

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Nanyang city successively had eight academies. From the late Qing Dynasty to the eve of the Anti-Japanese War, there were over 200 primary schools and more than 10 middle schools in the urban area of Nanyang. Currently, Nanyang boasts eight institutions of higher education and fourteen secondary specialized schools, and serves as a science and technology demonstration city for the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Forestry. Nanyang's basic education is relatively comprehensive and advanced, while its higher education still has significant room for development. Nanyang has basically universalized nine-year compulsory education. The enrollment rate for high school education has further increased to 60%, whereas the university enrollment rate is only 9% of the college-age population.

8.1 Primary and Secondary Schools

8.1.1 Provincial Exemplary High Schools:

• Nanyang No.1 High School
• Youtian High School
• Nanyang No.5 High School
• Tanghe County No.1 Senior High School (Tanghe Yigao)
• Xixia County No.1 Senior High School
• Fangcheng County No.1 Senior High School

8.1.2 Major Junior High Schools:

• Nanyang No.22 Middle School
• Nanyang No.3 Middle School
• Nanyang No.9 Middle School
• Nanyang No.12 Middle School
• Nanyang No.13 Middle School

The Nanyang Municipal Government has also established several comprehensive schools in the suburban areas.

8.2 Higher Education

• Universities: Nanyang Institute of Technology, Nanyang Normal University, Henan Buddhist College
• Higher Vocational Colleges: Henan Polytechnic Institute, Nanyang Medical College, Nanyang Vocational College of Agriculture, Nanyang Vocational College
• Secondary Vocational Schools: Henan Provincial School of Economic Management, Nanyang School of Economics and Trade, Nanyang Industrial School, Nanyang Senior Technical School (Nanyang Technician College), Nanyang School of Culture and Arts, Nanyang Sports School

8.3 Libraries

• Nanyang Library
• Nanyang Cultural Center
• Nanyang Science and Technology Museum
• Nanyang Art Museum

8.4 Ancient Academies

Zhuge Academy (also known as Wolong Academy), Yushan Academy, Zhixue Academy, Yangzheng Academy, Nanyang Academy, Zishan Academy, Wannan Academy, Chongzheng Academy.

9. Population

By the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 9.615 million. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 5.021 million, resulting in an urbanization rate of 52.22% for the permanent resident population. The annual number of births was 66,400.

Nanyang has a large population and is one of the few prefecture-level cities in China with a population exceeding ten million. Factors such as numerous rivers within the basin, its location in the transitional zone between northern and southern climates, relatively few climatic and geological disasters, and a long urban history have provided favorable conditions for Nanyang's population development. In 2020, the city's registered population was approximately 12 million, ranking first in the province.

According to the 2020 Seventh National Population Census, the city's permanent resident population was 9,713,112. Compared with the 10,263,660 people from the Sixth National Population Census, this represents a decrease of 550,548 people over ten years, a decline of 5.36%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.55%. Among them, the male population was 4,876,561, accounting for 50.21% of the total population; the female population was 4,836,551, accounting for 49.79% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 100.83. The population aged 0-14 was 2,547,347, accounting for 26.23% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 5,341,118, accounting for 54.99% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 1,824,647, accounting for 18.79% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 1,381,305, accounting for 14.22% of the total population. The population residing in urban areas was 4,913,994, accounting for 50.59% of the total population; the population residing in rural areas was 4,799,118, accounting for 49.41% of the total population.

Regarding population characteristics: With the development of reform and opening-up, Nanyang's population structure and quality have undergone corresponding changes. A prominent feature is the severe outflow of young labor; approximately 500,000 to 1 million people from Nanyang work outside the city year-round, primarily targeting coastal cities. The urbanization process is accelerating, with Wolong District and Wancheng District accounting for about 15.4% of the city's total population; except for Xixia County and Tongbai County, the permanent resident populations of all other county towns exceed 500,000. The rural population is aging severely, as more young people migrate for work, leaving behind the elderly, women, and children in rural areas. The sex ratio is approximately 100.83, lower than the national average.

Regarding wages: In 2013, the minimum wage standard in Nanyang's municipal districts was 1,100 yuan per month, while in other counties and cities it was 960 yuan per month.

9.1 Language

The local language of Nanyang is Nanyang dialect, a branch of the Central Plains Mandarin. It possesses its own linguistic characteristics and shares common phonetic features of northern Chinese dialects. The vocabulary of the Nanyang dialect is rich and varied, often vivid or suggestive, yet retains the original meaning of the words. For example, "impatient" is called "毛躁" (máozào), "disgusting" is "膈应" (géying), and "dirty" is "埋迹" (máiji). Although colloquial, these terms have traceable meanings, which is a major feature of the Nanyang dialect. Nanyang was an important economic and cultural center during the Qin and Han dynasties. The Qin policy of "standardizing the script" unified the writing systems of the six states, preserving many ancient pronunciations, characters, and words among the populace to this day. Nanyang is also a region where the Central Plains and Southern Chu cultures blended, attracting numerous scholars and literati. The Nanyang dialect carries a strong Jing-Chu charm alongside a vibrant Confucian elegance. Its everyday expressions, two-part allegorical sayings (xiēhòuyǔ), the humor and wit of its folk songs, and the simplicity of ancient culture they reflect, all contribute to its accurate and vivid expression. It serves as a living fossil of Nanyang's history, culture, and folklore, is highly expressive, and possesses significant academic and artistic value.

Due to geographical, political, and historical reasons, there are certain differences within the Nanyang dialect, particularly in phonetics and vocabulary. Grammatical differences are minor, and communication between speakers is not difficult. Currently, among Nanyang's 13 counties, districts, and county-level cities, the dialect can be divided into three regions based on its characteristics: the Eastern region, the Western region, and the Central region. The Eastern region mainly includes counties such as Tongbai and Tanghe in the southeast of Nanyang. The Western region mainly includes the three counties of Xixia, Xichuan, and Neixiang, as well as the western parts of Zhenping and Dengzhou. This area consists of low hills and is adjacent to Hubei to the south and Shaanxi to the west. The Central region mainly includes Wancheng, Wolong, Fangcheng, Sheqi, Nanzhao, Xinye, western Tanghe, Zhenping, eastern Dengzhou, etc. This area is predominantly plains and borders Hubei to the south. The linguistic differences among these three regions are mainly manifested in phonetics and vocabulary.

9.2 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population is 9,522,199, accounting for 98.03%; the population of various ethnic minorities is 190,913, accounting for 1.97%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han population decreased by 540,724, a decline of 5.37%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.01 percentage points. The population of various ethnic minorities decreased by 9,824, a decline of 4.89%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.01 percentage points.

9.3 Major Ethnic Minorities

As of 2008, Nanyang had 43 ethnic minorities, totaling 257,000 people, accounting for 2.4% of the city's total population. They are characterized by a "large dispersion, small concentration" pattern. Among them, the Hui ethnic group numbers 157,000, mainly distributed in Wancheng, Zhenping, and Dengzhou. There are two Hui ethnic townships: Guozhuang Hui Ethnic Township in Zhenping County and Yuandian Hui Ethnic Township in Fangcheng County. The Mongol ethnic group numbers 68,000, mainly distributed in Zhenping and Neixiang. The Manchu ethnic group numbers 26,000, mainly distributed in Nanzhao.

9.3.1 Hui Ethnic Group

The Hui ethnic group is the largest minority group in Nanyang, distributed across all thirteen counties and districts of the city. The main origins of the Hui population in Nanyang fall into three categories: The first category arrived with the military. During the early Yuan Dynasty, they entered Nanyang with the Mongol "Tanmachi Army" and engaged in large-scale military farming in Nanyang. By 1270, there were 6,041 Hui households in Nanyang County, cultivating 10,662 qing of land. Furthermore, during the Chenghua reign of Emperor Xianzong of the Ming Dynasty, a massive anti-Ming movement erupted in the Jing-Xiang region. Many Hui people participated in the rebel armies. Ma Shouying, known as "Old Hui Hui," was one of the thirteen major leaders in the late Ming peasant rebellions. He led peasant rebel armies and was frequently active in areas like Xichuan and Nanyang. The second category consists of officials who settled and registered locally, primarily represented by the Ma and Wen surnames among Nanyang's Hui people. The third category includes those who came for business, medical practice, or missionary work. During the Daoguang period, the Ding and Li families from Fengqiu County moved to Xindian Town in Nanyang County, engaging in the inn business or other commercial activities. Their descendants later grew into large clans there.

9.3.2 Mongol Ethnic Group

The Mongol ethnic group in Nanyang City is the most concentrated area for Mongol population in Henan Province. There are over 60,000 Mongol people within the city, accounting for more than 90% of the province's Mongol population. Among Nanyang's ethnic minorities, their population is second only to the Hui. They are distributed across 13 counties (cities, districts), with Zhenping having the largest concentration, accounting for over 50% of the regional total. The Mongol people in Nanyang are predominantly surnamed Wang and Li. They originate from two different lineages. One branch consists of descendants of the Yuan Dynasty imperial family. After the fall of the Yuan Dynasty, Wang surnamed individuals from this lineage settled in areas including Zhenping, Neixiang, Xichuan (Jiuchong Town), and Nanzhao. The other branch consists of descendants of Muqali, a meritorious official of the Yuan Dynasty. They initially settled in the Xidougou area of Luoyang, and later, one branch of their descendants moved to the Li surname communities within Tanghe and Sheqi. These descendants of Yuan Dynasty nobility remained inland for various reasons during the early Ming Dynasty. Under the protection of the local populace, they changed their names and surnames, intermarried with the Han people, and have multiplied and developed to the present day. Additionally, some state employees have moved into the area due to job transfers or marital relationships.

10. Religion

As a historical convergence point for northern and southern economies and cultures, Nanyang provided favorable conditions for the spread and development of religions. Whether it was Taoism, which originated in China, or foreign religions such as Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism, and Christianity, each experienced varying degrees of development in Nanyang during different historical periods. Among them, Taoism began to spread in Nanyang during the Eastern Han Dynasty. The Xuánmiào Temple (Mysterious Wonder Temple) established in Nanyang is recognized, alongside Beijing's White Cloud Temple, Shanxi's Changqing Temple, and Xi'an's Eight Immortals Temple, as one of the four major public monasteries of Taoism in China. The exact time of Buddhism's introduction to Nanyang is unverifiable, but the Mituo Temple (Amitabha Temple), built in the first year of Emperor Yuan of Jin's Yongchang era (322 AD), is the earliest surviving Buddhist structure in Nanyang. Additionally, the Holy See established the Nanyang Diocese in Jingang in 1844, which long administered Catholic affairs for the entire Henan province. French missionary Bishop Anba was its first bishop, and the Jingang Catholic Church still stands today. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, religion was regarded as superstition, religious temples were partially damaged, and religious belief was restricted. However, the environment for belief improved following the Reform and Opening-up. According to official Nanyang statistics from 2008, over 520,000 people in the city were religious adherents, including more than 140,000 Taoists, over 100,000 Buddhists, over 140,000 Christians, over 20,000 Catholics, and over 120,000 Muslims. Religious believers accounted for approximately 4% of the city's total population.

11. Culture

Nanyang is a nationally renowned historical and cultural city designated in the second batch by the State Council of the People's Republic of China and among the first batch of such cities opened to the outside world. It boasts a rich culture of the Chu and Han dynasties, traditional medicine, and ancient government offices. During the Han Dynasty, Zhang Heng from Nanyang, along with his contemporaries Sima Xiangru, Yang Xiong, and Ban Gu, were collectively known as the "Four Masters of Han Fu." His work "Ode to the Two Capitals" is considered the pinnacle of long-form Han Fu, renowned for its rigorous and intricate structure, and is regarded as a masterpiece of the genre. "Ode to Returning to the Fields" was a groundbreaking work that marked a shift in the style of Eastern Han Fu, pioneering the use of parallel and ornate language in Han Fu. Modern Nanyang literature has also seen significant development. In the mid-1980s, the "Nanyang Writers' Group," represented by Eryue He, attracted attention within mainland China as a literary phenomenon. In August 1994, Xu Weicheng, then Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, stated: "The phenomenon of the Nanyang Writers' Group is worthy of study."

11.1 Opera

Nanyang boasts a rich variety of traditional performing arts with numerous schools. Historically, the "Three Pillars" of Nanyang performing arts—Dadiaogu, Sanxianshu, and Guci—have had the greatest influence. Building upon these three major forms, storytelling, Zhuizi, Xiangsheng (crosstalk), and Lotus Ballad were gradually introduced during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China period. After the mid-Qing Dynasty, over 20 types of drama were active among the general populace. The abundance of ancient opera stages is the best testament to the prosperity of Nanyang's theatrical culture. These ancient stages, commonly known as "Xitai" among the people, were often built alongside temples. During the Yuan Dynasty, one such ancient stage was constructed at the Xiansheng Temple in Wangdian Township, Neixiang County. By the late Qing Dynasty, Nanyang had over 600 various opera stages and venues. Nanyang city proper alone had 23, Zhenping County had 58, and Neixiang County had as many as 68. Notable opera stages include the Xuanjian Tower at the Shan-Shaan Guild Hall in Sheqi, the Xiansheng Stage at Xiansheng Temple Village in Wangdian Township, Neixiang County, and the stage at the Town God's Temple in Zhenping.

With the development of modern music and the diversification of entertainment options, traditional opera has gradually declined. Currently, popular performing arts forms include Quju, Yuju (Henan Opera), Yuediao, Wanbang, Sanxianshu, Guci, Luoguqu, and Huaishu.

11.2 Nanyang Folk Songs

Helpless, walking along the Zhai River, Hand on the rudder, legs trembling. Four hundred li of waterway, three hundred shoals, The Dragon King contends, the King of Hell seizes.

Helpless, walking along the Zhai River, Towline saws the body, stones cut the feet. Customs officials and boat tyrants are life-demanding ghosts, Taxes and levies are more numerous than stones.

Helpless, walking along the Zhai River, Eyes shed tears, mouth sings songs. River bandits kidnap and throw into deep pools, To find the corpse, fish bellies must be stripped.

— Danjiang Haozi · "Helpless, Walking Along the Zhai River"

The folk songs of the Nanyang region are the result of gradual accumulation, evolution, and development over thousands of years. Numerous depictions of music and dance found on Han Dynasty stone reliefs unearthed in Nanyang indicate a rich musical atmosphere, particularly during the Han Dynasty. Modern Nanyang folk songs are relatively diverse and colorful. Most Nanyang folk songs revolve around labor, daily life, and love, exuding a strong, simple, and genuine atmosphere of life. They express the lives, thoughts, feelings, will, and aspirations of the people. Nanyang's unique geographical location, situated at the junction of north and south China, endows its folk songs with characteristics of both regions. The melodies are beautiful and pleasant, the singing style is smooth and fluent, flexible and varied, yet still retain a high-pitched vigor. Due to the direct influence of its geographical environment, the first types of folk songs to develop in the Nanyang region were mountain songs, field songs, and work chants, followed by lantern songs and minor tunes. In contemporary times, with the development of the railway industry, Nanyang's shipping industry has gradually declined. Furthermore, modern steamships have replaced ancient human-powered boats, leading to the near extinction of work chants as a form of aquatic music. Other forms of Nanyang folk songs are also gradually fading from view under the impact of modern popular music.

11.3 Folk Tales Originating from Nanyang

Pangu Myth: The myth of Pangu separating heaven and earth, where various parts of his body transformed into rivers, mountains, vegetation, forests, the sun, and the moon, creating the world.

The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl: The poignant love story between the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage: Liu Bei's three visits to the Wolong Ridge in Nanyang to invite Zhuge Liang to assist him.

Wang Mang Chasing Liu Xiu: A series of stories about people protecting the young Liu Xiu from Wang Mang's army, and Liu Xiu's repayment of his saviors after establishing the Eastern Han Dynasty and becoming emperor.

Yang Xu Hanging the Fish: Shortly after Yang Xu, a governor of the Later Han Dynasty, took office in Nanyang Commandery, a subordinate sent him a famous local specialty—a white river carp. Yang Xu refused the gift, but after repeated insistence from the subordinate, he reluctantly accepted. After the subordinate left, Yang Xu hung the large carp on a pillar outside his house, where it dried in the wind and sun. Later, the same subordinate sent an even larger white river carp. Yang Xu took him to the pillar outside, pointed at the dried fish hanging there, and said, "The fish you sent last time is still hanging here, already dried. Please take them both back." The subordinate felt deeply ashamed and quietly took the fish away. After this incident spread, the people of Nanyang Commandery praised him unanimously, respectfully calling him the "Governor Who Hung the Fish," and no one dared to give Yang Xu gifts again. Later, the phrase "Yang Xu hanging the fish" came to symbolize an official's integrity and refusal to accept bribes.

11.4 Famous and High-Quality Local Products

Nanyang is a land of abundant resources and treasures, with a dazzling array of local specialties. Some of the more famous ones are as follows:

Nanyang Jade Carving: Dushan Mountain, 8 kilometers north of Nanyang city, is rich in fine jade, with output ranking first among China's four famous jades. The Qing Dynasty's "Newly Revised Nanyang County Annals" records: "Therefore, residents north of the old county mostly make a living by working jade." Nanyang's Dushan jade rivals jadeite in color and texture. Nanyang jade carvings use materials such as amethyst from Wolong District, tiger's eye stone from Xichuan County, Xiuyan jade from Liaoning, and Hetian white jade, with over 120 varieties of carvings. The Shifosi Town in Zhenping County is a major center for jade carving. Nanyang jade ware is a product of China's geographical indication.

Nanyang Pyrography (Branding Painting): Also known as "burning flowers" or "branding flowers," it is a unique decorative art form in China with strong local characteristics. Since its emergence in the Qing Dynasty, it has enjoyed a long-standing reputation both domestically and internationally, earning Nanyang the title of "Hometown of Pyrography."

Nanyang Horn Carving: An ancient folk carving craft in Nanyang, primarily using "ox horn" as raw material to carve various artworks, practical items, and health-care series products. The "Water Buffalo Horn Mat" developed and produced by a local craft factory was recorded in the "Guinness World Records."

Nanyang Huangshi Inkstone: One of China's five famous inkstones, produced from Huangshi Mountain in Fangcheng County, northeast of Nanyang. Huangshi inkstone originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty. It is characterized by "jade-like stone quality, chime-like sound, multi-colored appearance, and ink-grinding like grease." Ma Yu of the Ming Dynasty, in his "Fangcheng Stone," called it a "top-grade among stones."

Nanyang Yellow Cattle: One of China's five major breeds of yellow cattle, known for high draft and meat quality. They are characterized by large stature, well-developed muscles, and stable heredity. Nanyang Yellow Cattle is a product of China's geographical indication.

In addition, Nanyang's silk, carpets, embroidery, Tong eggs, dogwood, magnolia flowers, platycodon root, Chinese kiwi fruit, Chinese health wine, Zhenping yellow rice wine, Lotus white wine, and Sheqi "Sanfen" (likely referring to a local starch product) also have unique characteristics.

11.5 Cuisine

In ancient times, the custom of drinking tea was prevalent among the people of Nanyang. From the tea houses of the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the widespread tea shops selling tea water in the Song Dynasty, tea culture flourished. During the Qing Dynasty, the custom of drinking tea became even more popular, with tea shops and teahouses遍布大街小巷遍布大街小巷 (found throughout the streets and alleys). People in Nanyang mostly drink tea in large bowls. The covered bowl tea of southwestern China and the Gongfu tea of southern China are rarely seen in Nanyang. Nanyang's large-bowl tea has a distinctive flavor in terms of tea set configuration and service style. The emergence of modern beverages has, to some extent, broken the monopoly of tea, leading to a diversification of drinks.

Nanyang primarily produces wheat, so naturally, people in Nanyang consider wheat-based foods as their staple. The ancestor of dumplings, "Jiao'er," originated in Nanyang. For breakfast, people in Nanyang mainly have mutton soup, beef soup, spicy soup, fried dough sticks, fried pancakes, tofu pudding, pancakes, pan-fried buns, steamed buns, vegetable pies (leek boxes), etc. Lunch staple consists of various noodles, such as soup noodles (knife-cut noodles, hand-pulled noodles, stretched noodles, stewed noodles),捞面 (noodles served without soup), steamed noodles,浆面条 (noodles in fermented broth), fried noodles, etc. Dinner, colloquially called "drinking soup," usually consists of "corn porridge" or "dough drop soup" accompanied by steamed buns and dishes. Located in central China, Nanyang gathers famous foods from all over the country. Restaurants serving Beijing roast duck, Shanxi knife-cut noodles, Shaanxi cold skin noodles, Lanzhou beef noodles, Xinjiang fried拉条 (stir-fried noodles), Zhengzhou stewed noodles, etc., are found throughout Nanyang's streets and alleys. Local specialty foods of Nanyang include: Xichuan pickled vegetables, Nanyang oil tea, Xuanguan Temple vegetarian dishes, Zhenping roast chicken, Bowang锅盔 (a type of flatbread), Jiezhong rice vinegar, Xinye minced meat sauce, Tanghe肘子 (braised pork knuckle), Baitugang spicy chicken, Yantianxi dumplings, Fangcheng stewed noodles, etc.

11.6 Festivals and Events

China · Nanyang Zhang Zhongjing Traditional Medicine Culture Festival: Held in the second half of each year. The 2015 event was the 12th session. This festival was hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, the China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the China Health Care Association, the China Association for the Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the China Aging Development Foundation, and organized by the Henan Provincial Department of Culture, the Henan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Nanyang Municipal People's Government.

China · Nanyang Jade Carving Festival and International Jade Culture Expo: Held in the first half of each year. The 2015 event was the 12th session. This festival was hosted by the China Gems & Jewelry Trade Association and organized by the Nanyang Municipal People's Government.

China · Nanyang Zhuge Liang Cultural Tourism Festival: Held irregularly in the second half of the year. The China · Nanyang 2014 Zhuge Liang Cultural Tourism Festival was hosted by the Nanyang Municipal People's Government and organized by the Nanyang Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Press and Publication, and the Nanyang Municipal Bureau of Tourism and Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs.

12. Sister Cities

| Country | Japan | Israel | Sweden | Romania | South Korea | Italy | |-------------|-----------|------------|------------|-------------|-----------------|-----------| | City | Nanyang | Gat | Värmland County | Slobozia | Chuncheon | Asti | | Established | 1988-10-06 | 1995-11-01 | 1995-11-01 | 2011-04-26 | 2012-09-15 | 2012-09-16 |

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