Tongren (铜仁)

1. Introduction

Tongren City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Guizhou Province, People's Republic of China, located in the northeastern part of Guizhou Province. The city borders Qiandongnan Prefecture to the south, Zunyi City to the west, Chongqing Municipality to the north, and Xiangxi Prefecture and Huaihua City of Hunan Province to the east. Situated in the Wuling Mountain area at the junction of Guizhou, Hunan, and Chongqing, its southwestern part is dominated by Foding Mountain. The Wujiang River is the main river, with its tributaries—the Shiqian River, Yinjiang River, Hongdu River, and Wuyang River—flowing through the area, all belonging to the Yangtze River system. The city covers a total area of 18,014 square kilometers and has a population of 3.1224 million. It is home to 29 ethnic groups, including the Tujia, Han, Miao, Dong, and Gelao peoples. The Tujia ethnic group accounts for nearly 40% of the population, while ethnic minorities make up 70.45% of the total population. The municipal government is located in Bijiang District. Tongren serves as a bridgehead connecting southwestern China with the central and eastern regions and is often referred to as the "Eastern Gateway of Guizhou." The famous Buddhist mountain, Fanjing Mountain, is located within its territory and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List on July 2, 2018, during the World Heritage Committee meeting.

2. Origin of the Name

Tongren was originally named "Tongren" (literally "Copper Person"). Legend has it that during the Yuan Dynasty, a fisherman dove into the river at Tongyan and retrieved three copper statues from the riverbed. The Scenic Records of the Great Ming Unified Realm · Guizhou Scenic Records, Volume 4, Tongren Prefecture records: "In the Yuan Dynasty, the Tongren Dajiang Xiaojiang and Other Areas Barbarian Military-Civilian Chief Office was established. To the southwest of the region lies the Great River (Dajiang), and to the northwest lies the Small River (Xiaojiang). At their confluence stands a cliff, towering several tens of ren high, rising majestically from the midstream. It is said that a fisherman dove to its base and saw a tripod-like object with three legs, from which he retrieved copper molds of Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist statues. Hence, the cliff was named 'Tongren' (Copper Person). When the Chief Office was established, the character 'ren' (person) was later changed to 'ren' (benevolence)." Zhang Shu's Continued Qian Records, Volume 3 states: "The Yuan Dynasty first established the Tongren Dajiang Xiaojiang and Other Areas. The name 'Tongren' (with the character for benevolence) resulted from an erroneous change made in the early Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty."

3. History

In the second year of the Chuigong era of the Tang Dynasty (686 AD), Wan'an County was established in the southwest of what is now the urban area, under the jurisdiction of Jinzhou. In the second year of the Tianbao era (743 AD), Wan'an County was renamed Changfeng County, which was abolished during the Five Dynasties period. During the Yuan Dynasty, the Tongren Daxiaojiang Manyi Junmin Zhangguan Si (Tongren Daxiaojiang Ethnic Military-Civilian Chief Office) was established, subordinate to the Sinan Xuanwei Si (Sinan Pacification Commission). In the eleventh year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1413 AD), the Sizhou and Sinan Xuanwei Si were abolished. Four prefectures—Tongren (governing present-day Bijiang District), Sinan (governing present-day Sinan County), Shiqian (governing present-day Shiqian County), and Wuluo (governing present-day Wuluo Town, Songtao County)—were established in the region, all subordinate to the newly established Guizhou Buzheng Shisi (Guizhou Provincial Administration Commission). Additionally, the Tongren Zhangguan Si (Tongren Chief Office) was established, sharing the same city as Tongren Prefecture. In the third year of the Zhengtong era (1438 AD), Wuluo Prefecture was abolished, with most of its territory merged into Tongren Prefecture. In the twenty-sixth year of the Wanli era (1598 AD), the Tongren Zhangguan Si was abolished and replaced by Tongren County. In the sixth year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty (1880 AD), the seat of Tongren County was moved to Dajiangkou (present-day Jiangkou County).

In the first year of the Republic of China (1912 AD), Tongren County was abolished and merged into Tongren Prefecture. The following year, the prefecture and sub-prefectures were abolished, Tongren County was restored and renamed Jiangkou County, and all counties were placed under the Qiandong Dao (Eastern Guizhou Circuit). In 1914, Qiandong Dao was renamed Zhenyuan Dao. In 1923, the circuit system was abolished. In the 24th year of the Republic of China (1935 AD), Tongren County was placed under the Fifth Administrative Inspectorate District of Guizhou Province and served as the seat of the Inspectorate Office; the following year, it was changed to the Sixth Administrative Inspectorate District.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Tongren Zhuanqu (Tongren Special Administrative Region) was established in 1950, with its administrative office located in Tongren County. In September 1956, Songtao County was abolished and Songtao Miao Autonomous County was established. In December 1958, Jiangkou and Yuping counties were merged into Tongren County but were restored in August 1961. In December 1966, Wanshan Tequ (Wanshan Special District) was established. In 1970, Tongren Zhuanqu was renamed Tongren Diqu (Tongren Prefecture). In September 1983, Yuping County was abolished and Yuping Dong Autonomous County was established. In October 1986, Yanhe County was abolished and Yanhe Tujia Autonomous County was established; in December of the same year, Yinjiang County was abolished and Yinjiang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County was established. In August 1987, the State Council approved the abolition of Tongren County and the establishment of Tongren City (county-level), with its administrative area remaining unchanged.

In October 2011, Tongren Diqu, county-level Tongren City, and Wanshan Tequ were abolished, and prefecture-level Tongren City was established. The former county-level Tongren City (excluding Chadian Town, Yutang Township, and Daping Township) was reorganized into Bijiang District. The former Wanshan Tequ and the former county-level Tongren City's Chadian Town, Yutang Township, and Daping Township were reorganized into Wanshan District.

4. Geography

4.1 Physical Geography

Located in the heart of the Wuling Mountain area, Tongren borders Hunan (historically part of Chu) to the east and Chongqing to the north. It serves as a link between the Central Plains and the southwestern frontier, spanning the mountainous regions of northern Guizhou and the low hills of eastern Guizhou. The Wuling Mountains stretch across its central part, with general elevations below 800 meters. The highest point in the city reaches 2,572 meters, while the lowest is 205 meters. The total area is 18,003 square kilometers.

Tongren City lies on the transitional slope from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the hills of western Hunan, with higher terrain in the northwest and lower in the southeast. The average elevation ranges between 500 and 1,000 meters. The main peak of the Wuling Mountains is within its territory. East of the mountain range is a hilly area with relatively shallow river erosion, featuring gentle, undulating terrain and numerous intermountain basins along riverbanks, generally at elevations between 300 and 800 meters. West of the mountains is a karst plateau landscape, generally between 600 and 1,000 meters in elevation, with a relative height difference of 600–800 meters.

However, on the plateau surfaces distant from river valleys, there are more karst features, hills, and depressions, with relatively moderate ground undulations. The entire area is predominantly mountainous, accounting for 67.8% of the total area, followed by hills at 28.3%, while basins and other landforms make up only 3.9%.

4.2 Climatic Characteristics

Tongren City belongs to the central subtropical monsoon climate zone, where the climate is significantly influenced by monsoons. Its basic climatic features are: variable spring temperatures with frequent drizzles; hot summers with ample sunshine; rapidly dropping autumn temperatures, often overcast and rainy; mild winters with little severe cold and a long frost-free period. The annual average temperature is around 18°C. The coldest month is January, with average temperatures between 2°C and 6°C, while the hottest month is July, with averages between 24°C and 28°C. At comparable altitudes, temperatures in the west are higher than in the east. The area receives abundant rainfall, with an annual average between 1,100 and 1,400 mm, concentrated from April to August, accounting for 60%–65% of the annual total. Annual sunshine duration is 1,250 hours.

Situated on the transitional slope from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the hills of western Hunan and the Sichuan Basin, Tongren enjoys ample rainfall, with an annual average temperature of 13°C–17.5°C. Due to its relatively low altitude, Tongren is the high-temperature center of Guizhou Province. Summer maximum temperatures can reach 42.5°C, significantly higher than other cities in the province and notably higher than cities famously known as China's "Four Furnaces," such as Nanjing, Wuhan, and Nanchang.

The city has abundant precipitation and a dense river network, making it one of the regions in the province with favorable hydrological conditions. Within its territory, the watershed formed by the Fanjing Mountain to Foding Mountain range divides the area into two major river systems: the eastern Yuan River system, with main rivers including the Jinjiang, Songtao River, and Cheba River; and the western Wujiang River system, with main rivers such as the Liuchi River, Shiqian River, Yinjiang River, Mati River, Batuo River, and Hongdu River. The total length of rivers in the city exceeds 10 kilometers, and there are 221 rivers with a drainage area greater than 20 square kilometers.

Among these, 103 belong to the Yuan River system and 118 to the Wujiang River system. Influenced by the local topography, the primary rainfall type is orographic rain. The eastern part is a high-precipitation zone, with perennial rainfall exceeding 1,300 mm, while the western part is a low-precipitation zone, with perennial rainfall below 1,200 mm. The average annual difference between the two is approximately 180 mm.

Meteorological Data for Bijiang District, Tongren City (Average data from 1981 to 2010, Extreme data from 1951 to 2010)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------|----------|----------|----------| | Record High (°C / °F) | 29.3 (84.7) | 32.0 (89.6) | 36.5 (97.7) | 38.2 (100.8) | 37.5 (99.5) | 40.4 (104.7) | 40.5 (104.9) | 42.5 (108.5) | 39.7 (103.5) | 36.7 (98.1) | 32.6 (90.7) | 25.1 (77.2) | 42.5 (108.5) | | Average High (°C / °F) | 9.3 (48.7) | 11.3 (52.3) | 15.9 (60.6) | 22.4 (72.3) | 27.0 (80.6) | 29.9 (85.8) | 33.0 (91.4) | 32.9 (91.2) | 29.1 (84.4) | 22.8 (73.0) | 17.8 (64.0) | 12.1 (53.8) | 22.0 (71.5) | | Daily Mean (°C / °F) | 5.7 (42.3) | 7.6 (45.7) | 11.5 (52.7) | 17.3 (63.1) | 21.8 (71.2) | 25.1 (77.2) | 27.9 (82.2) | 27.4 (81.3) | 23.7 (74.7) | 18.1 (64.6) | 13.1 (55.6) | 7.9 (46.2) | 17.3 (63.1) | | Average Low (°C / °F) | 3.3 (37.9) | 5.1 (41.2) | 8.4 (47.1) | 13.7 (56.7) | 18.1 (64.6) | 21.7 (71.1) | 24.1 (75.4) | 23.6 (74.5) | 20.0 (68.0) | 15.1 (59.2) | 10.1 (50.2) | 5.1 (41.2) | 14.0 (57.3) | | Record Low (°C / °F) | -9.2 (15.4) | -4.7 (23.5) | -2.0 (28.4) | 2.3 (36.1) | 8.2 (46.8) | 14.0 (57.2) | 16.7 (62.1) | 16.7 (62.1) | 11.1 (52.0) | 5.0 (41.0) | -1.9 (28.6) | -4.3 (24.3) | -9.2 (15.4) | | Average Precipitation (mm / inches) | 38.4 (1.51) | 47.8 (1.88) | 66.3 (2.61) | 122.4 (4.82) | 176.7 (6.96) | 202.9 (7.99) | 194.3 (7.65) | 128.2 (5.05) | 75.2 (2.96) | 93.8 (3.69) | 57.5 (2.26) | 29.5 (1.16) | 1,233 (48.54) | | Average Precipitation Days (≥0.1 mm) | 12.8 | 12.6 | 15.9 | 18.3 | 17.8 | 16.4 | 12.7 | 12.2 | 10.1 | 13.3 | 10.7 | 9.4 | 162.2 | | Average Relative Humidity (%) | 76 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 80 | 77 | 76 | 74 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 76 |

5. Administrative Divisions

Tongren City administers 2 municipal districts, 4 counties, and 4 autonomous counties. The municipal government is located at No. 8, Middle Huaguoshan Road, Bijiang District.

• Municipal Districts: Bijiang District, Wanshan District
• Counties: Jiangkou County, Shiqian County, Sinan County, Dejiang County
• Autonomous Counties: Yuping Dong Autonomous County, Yinjiang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Yanhe Tujia Autonomous County, Songtao Miao Autonomous County

In addition, Tongren City has established the Dalong Economic Development Zone and the Tongren High‑tech Industrial Development Zone.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Permanent Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | of which: Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|---------------------|----------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|-------------------------------| | 520600 | Tongren City | Tóngrén Shì | 18,013.52 | 3,298,468 | Bijiang District | 554300 | 38 | 94 | 49 | 38 | | 520602 | Bijiang District | Bìjiāng Qū | 1,008.96 | 442,076 | Chuanyin Subdistrict | 554300 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 5 | | 520603 | Wanshan District | Wànshān Qū | 839.00 | 160,624 | Dandu Subdistrict | 554200 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 6 | | 520621 | Jiangkou County | Jiāngkǒu Xiàn | 1,877.12 | 184,764 | Shuangjiang Subdistrict | 554400 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | | 520622 | Yuping Dong Autonomous County | Yùpíng Dòngzú Zìzhìxiàn | 523.78 | 150,457 | Zaojiaoping Subdistrict | 554000 | 4 | 3 | 1 | | | 520623 | Shiqian County | Shíqiān Xiàn | 2,168.48 | 297,086 | Quandu Subdistrict | 555100 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 9 | | 520624 | Sinan County | Sīnán Xiàn | 2,215.59 | 457,745 | Sitang Subdistrict | 565100 | 3 | 17 | 8 | 8 |

• 520625 | Yinjiang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County | Yìnjiāng Tǔjiāzú Miáozú Zìzhìxiàn | 1,968.06 | 294,490 | Eling Subdistrict | 555200 | 3 | 13 | 1 | | | 520626 | Dejiang County | Déjiāng Xiàn | 2,070.05 | 393,596 | Anhua Subdistrict | 565200 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 8 | | 520627 | Yanhe Tujia Autonomous County | Yánhé Tǔjiāzú Zìzhìxiàn | 2,483.51 | 429,893 | Tuanjie Subdistrict | 565300 | 4 | 17 | 2 | | | 520628 | Songtao Miao Autonomous County | Sōngtáo Miáozú Zìzhìxiàn | 2,858.96 | 487,737 | Liaogao Subdistrict | 554100 | 5 | 17 | 6 | |

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6. Transportation

6.1 Aviation

• Tongren Fenghuang Airport

6.2 Railway

• Shanghai-Kunming Passenger Dedicated Line
• Chongqing-Huaihua Railway
• Shanghai-Kunming Railway

6.3 Expressways

• G56 Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway
• G60 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway
• S15 Songtao-Congjiang Expressway
• S25 Yanhe-Rongjiang Expressway
• S30 Jiangkou-Qianjiang Expressway

6.4 National Highways

• National Highway 320, National Highway 326, National Highway 354

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7. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 3,298,468. Compared with the 3,093,204 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 205,264 people over the ten-year period, representing a growth of 6.64%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.64%. Among them, the male population was 1,676,104, accounting for 50.81% of the total population; the female population was 1,622,364, accounting for 49.19% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 103.31. The population aged 0–14 was 785,209, accounting for 23.81% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,934,113, accounting for 58.64% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 579,146, accounting for 17.56% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 456,851, accounting for 13.85% of the total population. The urban population was 1,518,674, accounting for 46.04% of the total population; the rural population was 1,779,794, accounting for 53.96% of the total population.

7.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 931,940, accounting for 28.25%; the combined population of various ethnic minorities was 2,366,528, accounting for 71.75%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population increased by 4,724 people, a growth of 0.51%, but its share of the total population decreased by 1.72 percentage points; the combined ethnic minority population increased by 200,540 people, a growth of 9.26%, and its share of the total population increased by 1.72 percentage points. Among them, the Tujia population increased by 90,509 people, a growth of 7.36%, and its share of the total population increased by 0.27 percentage points; the Miao population increased by 45,507 people, a growth of 10.1%, and its share of the total population increased by 0.47 percentage points; the Dong population increased by 44,573 people, a growth of 12.34%, and its share of the total population increased by 0.62 percentage points; the Gelao population decreased by 169 people, a decline of 0.16%, and its share of the total population decreased by 0.21 percentage points.

Tongren is a multi-ethnic region, home to ethnic minorities such as the Tujia, Miao, Dong, Gelao, and Manchu. During the Spring Festival each year, folk dance performances like flower lanterns, tea lanterns, dragon lanterns, money-stick dances, and stilt walking are vibrant and diverse.

Tongren City is a multi-ethnic settlement area. Within its territory, there are 25 ethnic groups, including Han, Dong, Tujia, Miao, Yao, Hui, Gelao, Buyi, Manchu, Zhuang, Mongol, Shui, Dai, Bai, Uyghur, Li, Tibetan, Jing, She, Korean, Hani, and Gaoshan. In 1996, the total population of the 24 ethnic minorities was 172,853 (including: Dong 82,448, Tujia 52,038, Miao 34,265, Yao 1,453, Hui 1,163, and other minorities 1,486), accounting for 56.96% of the city's total population of 303,468.

The Dong people refer to themselves as "Gaeml" or "Jeml," and in some areas, they are also called "Jeml Laox," "Jeml Jaox," or "Jeml Tanx." The Han people refer to them as "Dongjia." According to the "Supplement to the History of Ming Dynasty Events," the Dong people were "scattered in the boundaries of Qiangke and Yuanxi, with particularly many in Chen and Yuan." In modern times, the Dong people in the region mainly migrated and settled from Xinhuang and Zhijiang in Hunan, and Tianzhu, Sansui, Yuping, and Cengong in Guizhou, with a history of over 200 years.

The Dong people are distributed throughout both urban and rural areas. In 1996, the total Dong population was 82,448, accounting for 27.17% of the city's total population of 303,468 and 47.70% of the city's total ethnic minority population of 172,853. In 1988, there were 110 Dong villages with populations exceeding 100 people. In 1996, among the seven ethnic townships: in Tongmuping Dong Ethnic Township, the Dong population was 3,324, accounting for 37.98% of the township's total population of 8,753; in Yutang Dong and Miao Ethnic Township, the Dong population was 14,319, accounting for 72.42% of the township's total population of 19,773; in Daping Dong and Tujia Ethnic Township, the Dong population was 11,424, accounting for 54.26% of the township's total population of 21,053; in Heping Tujia and Dong Ethnic Township, the Dong population was 2,254, accounting for 23.71% of the township's total population of 9,507; in Huashi Dong and Miao Ethnic Township, the Dong population was 4,009, accounting for 21.52% of the township's total population of 18,625; in Wawu Dong Ethnic Township, the Dong population was 5,882, accounting for 56.81% of the township's total population of 10,354; in Liulongshan Dong and Tujia Ethnic Township, the Dong population was 1,771, accounting for 42.74% of the township's total population of 4,144.

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Bijiang District

Songtao Miao Autonomous County

The Han population accounts for 28.25%; while ethnic minorities make up 71.75%. The region is home to 25 ethnic groups, including Han, Dong, Tujia, Miao, Yao, Hui, Gelao, Buyi, Manchu, Zhuang, Mongolian, Shui, Dai, Bai, Uyghur, Li, Tibetan, Jing, She, Korean, Hani, and Gaoshan.

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