Huainan (淮南)

1. Introduction

Huainan City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Anhui Province, People's Republic of China. It is recognized by the State Council as a "relatively large city" and is one of the cities within the Yangtze River Delta integration region. Located in the north-central part of Anhui Province, its northwestern border connects with Fuyang City, the north borders Bozhou City and Bengbu City, the northeast neighbors Chuzhou City, the southeast reaches Hefei City, and the southwest adjoins Lu'an City.

Situated in the transitional zone between the Jianghuai Hills and the Huaibei Plain, the Huai River flows from west to east across the city. Its tributaries, including the Fei River, Yao River, Pi River, West Fei River, Ni River, and Cihuai New River, traverse the area. The city also features lakes such as Wabu Lake, Gaotang Lake, Jiaogang Lake, and Huajia Lake.

The city covers a total area of 5,532 square kilometers with a permanent resident population of approximately 3.03 million. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 88, Hefeng Street, Tianjia'an District.

Huainan is a traditional heavy industrial city. Its pillar industries include coal, chemicals, electric power, and pharmaceuticals. It serves as an important central city in northern Anhui Province, a national significant energy base, and a crucial power base in East China. Its installed power generation capacity is 83 million kilowatts, accounting for nearly half of Anhui Province's total.

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2. History

2.1 Xia and Shang Dynasties

During the Xia and Shang dynasties, the area of the present-day city belonged to the "Huaiyi" region. In the Western Zhou Dynasty, when feudal lords were enfeoffed, the area fell under the jurisdiction of the Zhoulai Viscountcy.

2.2 Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods

In the late Spring and Autumn period, feudal lords contended for hegemony. In the 16th year of King Jing of Zhou (529 BC), the State of Wu conquered Zhoulai, and the area became part of Wu. With the expansion of the State of Chu, the State of Cai, located in the upper reaches of the Huai River, was forced to move its capital several times and sought help from Wu. To facilitate mutual aid between Wu and Cai, in the 27th year of King Jing of Zhou (493 BC), Wu helped Cai move its capital to Zhoulai, renaming it Xia Cai.

In the early Warring States period, in the 22nd year of King Zhending of Zhou (447 BC), King Hui of Chu conquered Cai, and the area became part of Chu. In the late Warring States period, in the 22nd year of King Kaolie of Chu (241 BC), the capital was moved to Shouchun, which was renamed Ying, making the area part of the Chu capital region. In the 5th year of King Fuchu of Chu (223 BC), Qin conquered Chu. In the 26th year of Qin Shi Huang (221 BC), Qin unified the six states. The area south of the Huai River was placed under Jiujiang Commandery (with its seat at Shouchun), while Fengtai County and the area north of the Huai River were placed under Sishui Commandery.

2.3 Han, Wei, and Northern and Southern Dynasties

In the 4th year of Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang enfeoffed Ying Bu as the King of Huainan, establishing the Huainan Kingdom for the first time, with its capital at Liu (present-day Liu'an). It governed four commanderies: Jiujiang, Lujiang, Hengshan, and Yuzhang. In 196 BC, Ying Bu was convicted and executed, and Liu Chang was enfeoffed as the King of Huainan, with his capital at Shouchun (present-day Shou County). In 174 BC, Liu Chang was convicted and died en route to exile. Emperor Wen enfeoffed Liu Xi, the King of Chengyang, as the King of Huainan. In 164 BC, the Huainan Kingdom was divided into three parts: Huainan, Hengshan, and Lujiang, which were enfeoffed to Liu Chang's three sons. The eldest son, Liu An, succeeded as the King of Huainan, with his capital at Shouchun (present-day Shou County). In the 1st year of the Yuanshou era of Emperor Wu of Han (122 BC), Liu An was convicted and committed suicide. The Huainan Kingdom was abolished and restored as Jiujiang Commandery, with its seat at Shouchun (present-day Shou County). During the Western Han Dynasty, the area was successively under the jurisdiction of the Huainan Kingdom and Jiujiang Commandery. Fengtai County belonged to Xia Cai County of Pei Commandery (now part of Xiejiaji District, Huainan City).

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the area and Fengtai County were under the jurisdiction of Jiujiang Commandery, divided between Shouchun County and Xia Cai County. At the end of the Han Dynasty, Yuan Shu occupied Shouchun and established Huainan Commandery. Under the Wei state, it was still called Huainan Commandery, with its seat at Shouchun. Later, Emperor Wen of Wei successively enfeoffed his son Cao Yong and his brother Cao Biao as Kings of Huainan. In the 1st year of the Qinglong era of Emperor Ming (233 AD), the seat was moved to Hefei Xincheng. During this period, the area and Fengtai County were under the jurisdiction of Huainan Commandery. In the early years of the Western Jin Dynasty, Huainan Commandery moved its seat back to Shouchun, and the area was under its jurisdiction. During the Yongjia Disturbances, the Huai River basin became a war zone, many commanderies and counties in the Jianghuai region were abandoned, and northerners migrated south. In the early Xianhe years of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Huainan Commandery was established as a qiaoju (émigré) commandery in Danyang Commandery's Yuhu area, while the city's area became the qiaoju Nanliang Commandery.

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Liu Song, Southern Qi, and Liang dynasties followed the Eastern Jin practice of establishing Huainan Commandery as a qiaoju commandery south of the Yangtze River. The area successively had qiaoju commanderies and counties such as Yuzhou and Liang Commandery. During the Northern Wei, Northern Qi, Northern Zhou, and Sui dynasties, the area was again under Huainan Commandery, with Fengtai County belonging to Xia Cai County of Ruyin Commandery. During the Chen Dynasty, the Shouzhou Kiln, located in the urban area of Huainan, began producing porcelain.

2.4 Tang and Song Dynasties

In the early Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, Huainan Circuit was established. It was named for being south of the Huai River, bordered by the East Sea to the east, the Han River to the west, the Yangtze River to the south, and the Huai River to the north. It administered prefectures including Yangzhou, Chuzhou, Hezhou, Chuzhou, Haozhou, Shouzhou, Luzhou, Shuzhou, Qizhou, Huangzhou, Mianzhou, Anzhou, Shenzhou, and Guangzhou. It covered present-day areas north of the great river and east of the Han River in Hubei, and areas north of the Yangtze and south of the Huai in Jiangsu and Anhui. Its seat was at Yangzhou, present-day Jiangdu, Jiangsu. The area was under Shouzhou of Huainan Circuit, while Fengtai County was under Xia Cai County of Yingzhou in Henan Circuit. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the name Huainan Circuit remained unchanged. Shouzhou and Xia Cai were successively controlled by Wu and Southern Tang.

In the Northern Song Dynasty, Huainan Circuit was established. The area was under Shouzhou of Huainan Circuit. In the 5th year of the Xining era (1071), Huainan Circuit was divided into eastern and western circuits. The area was under Shouzhou of Huainan West Circuit. The part south of the Huai River belonged to Shouchun County, while the part north of the Huai River belonged to Xia Cai County. Later, after the Song-Jin peace agreement was reached, with the Huai River and Dasan Pass as the border, the area north of the Huai River belonged to the Jin state, and the area south of the Huai River belonged to the Song.

2.5 Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

During the Yuan Dynasty, the area belonged to Anfeng Route of Henan Jiangbei Branch Secretariat, divided between Shouchun and Xia Cai counties. In the 28th year of the Zhiyuan era (1291), Huaiyuan County was established. The eastern part of the present-day urban area was under Huaiyuan County.

During the Ming Dynasty, the area belonged to Fengyang Prefecture of Zhongdu, divided between Shouzhou (including present-day Fengtai County) and Huaiyuan County.

During the Qing Dynasty, the area belonged to Fengyang Prefecture of Jiangnan Province and later Fengyang Prefecture of Anhui Province, divided between Shouzhou and Huaiyuan County. In the 11th year of the Yongzheng era (1733), Fengtai County was separated from Shouzhou, governing the former territory of Xia Cai County, with separate administration in the same city. In the 3rd year of the Tongzhi era (1864), Fengtai County moved its seat to the former site of Xia Cai County (present-day Chengguan). In the 23rd year of the Guangxu era (1897), Xu Jizhong, a commander of Shouzhou, came to Datong to open an official kiln for profit. In the 2nd year of the Xuantong era (1910), Duan Shuyun and others from Xiaoxian County came to the area to prepare for coal mining. The following year, "Datong Coal Mining Company" was officially registered.

2.6 Republic of China Era

In the first year of the Republic of China (1912), prefectures were abolished. The area was divided among Shou County, Fengtai County, and Huaiyuan County. The "Three Towns of Huainan" – Tianjia'an, Datong, and Jiulonggang – all belonged to Huaiyuan County.

2.7 Modern Era

On January 18, 1949, the Nationalist government withdrew from Huainan. In March of the same year, the East China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee decided to establish the Huainan Coal Mine Special Administrative Region based on the Three Towns of Huainan. In April, the Huainan Coal Mine Special Administrative Region was changed to the Huainan Mining Area. In September 1950, Huainan City was established at the county level, belonging to the Wanbei Administrative Office Area.

In 1952, after Wanbei and Wannan merged to restore Anhui Province, it became a provincial city of Anhui Province. In June 1952, the provincial city of Huainan was established.

In January 1977, Fengtai County was transferred from Fuyang Prefecture to Huainan. In 1984, with State Council approval, it became one of the first 13 larger cities granted local legislative power, enjoying local legislative authority.

In 1985, it was approved by the State Council as an open city.

In November 1999, the Maoji Social Development Comprehensive Experimental Zone was approved for establishment. The city currently administers Tianjia'an, Datong, Xiejiaji, Bagongshan, Panji districts, Fengtai County, and the Maoji Social Development Comprehensive Experimental Zone.

In July 2004, Kongdian Township, Sanhe Township, Cao'an Town, Shiyuan Township, Gudui Township, Yanggong Town, and Sunmiao Township were transferred from Changfeng County, Hefei City, to Huainan City's Datong District, Tianjia'an District, and Xiejiaji District respectively. Huainan City has successively been recognized as a "National Advanced City for Scientific and Technological Progress," "National Advanced City for Plain Afforestation," "National Advanced City for Comprehensive Social Management," "Provincial Advanced City for Civilized City Creation," "Provincial Garden City," and a National Garden City.

On July 3, 2015, the "Opinion of the Standing Committee of the Lu'an Municipal People's Congress on the Transfer of Shou County as a Whole to Huainan City's Jurisdiction" stated agreement to transfer Shou County as a whole to Huainan City's jurisdiction.

On December 3, 2015, the State Council approved the transfer of Shou County to Huainan City's jurisdiction.

3. Geography

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|-------|-------|------|------|------|-------|------|-------|-------|------|------|-------|-------| | Record high °C | 19.9 | 26.5 | 30.2 | 34.6 | 37.3 | 38.7 | 40 | 39.3 | 38.1 | 34 | 29.5 | 23.1 | 40 | | Record high °F | 67.8 | 79.7 | 86.4 | 94.3 | 99.1 | 101.7 | 104 | 102.7 | 100.6 | 93.2 | 85.1 | 73.6 | 104 | | Average high °C | 6.6 | 9.2 | 14.3 | 21.3 | 26.9 | 30.2 | 32.1 | 31.3 | 27.4 | 22.4 | 15.7 | 9.2 | 20.6 | | Average high °F | 43.9 | 48.6 | 57.7 | 70.3 | 80.4 | 86.4 | 89.8 | 88.3 | 81.3 | 72.3 | 60.3 | 48.6 | 69 | | Daily mean °C | 2.5 | 5 | 9.7 | 16.3 | 21.9 | 25.7 | 28.2 | 27.4 | 23.1 | 17.7 | 10.9 | 4.8 | 16.1 | | Daily mean °F | 36.5 | 41 | 49.5 | 61.3 | 71.4 | 78.3 | 82.8 | 81.3 | 73.6 | 63.9 | 51.6 | 40.6 | 61 | | Average low °C | −0.7 | 1.6 | 5.8 | 11.9 | 17.3 | 21.7 | 25 | 24.2 | 19.6 | 13.8 | 7.1 | 1.4 | 12.4 | | Average low °F | 30.7 | 34.9 | 42.4 | 53.4 | 63.1 | 71.1 | 77 | 75.6 | 67.3 | 56.8 | 44.8 | 34.5 | 54.3 | | Record low °C | −12.2 | −13.0 | −4.5 | 0.4 | 7.3 | 11.9 | 18.4 | 15.9 | 10.9 | 1.3 | −6.2 | −15.7 | −15.7 | | Record low °F | 10 | 8.6 | 23.9 | 32.7 | 45.1 | 53.4 | 65.1 | 60.6 | 51.6 | 34.3 | 20.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | | Average precipitation mm | 32 | 41 | 62.1 | 56.4 | 75.5 | 127.4 | 228 | 130.3 | 84.3 | 53.6 | 51.3 | 22.5 | 964.4 | | Average precipitation inches | 1.26 | 1.61 | 2.44 | 2.22 | 2.97 | 5.02 | 8.98 | 5.13 | 3.32 | 2.11 | 2.02 | 0.89 | 37.97 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 70 | 70 | 67 | 67 | 68 | 72 | 79 | 80 | 77 | 70 | 68 | 68 | 71 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Huainan City currently administers 5 municipal districts and 2 counties.

Municipal Districts: Datong District, Tianjia'an District, Xiejiaji District, Bagongshan District, Panji District Counties: Fengtai County, Shou County Additionally, Huainan City has established the Maoji Social Development Comprehensive Experimental Zone (located in the southwest of Huainan City, it is a county-level administrative zone. It administers Maoji Town, Xiaji Town, Jiaoganghu Town, and the Jiaoganghu Aquatic Tourism Development Company).

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Including: Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|--------------------------|------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|---------------------------------| | 340400 | Huainan City | Huáinán Shì | 5,532.30 | 3,033,528 | Tianjia'an District | 232000 | 19 | 59 | 12 | 4 | | 340402 | Datong District | Dàtōng Qū | 306.26 | 165,671 | Datong Subdistrict | 232000 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | 340403 | Tianjia'an District | Tiánjiā'ān Qū | 249.99 | 730,078 | Gongyuan Subdistrict| 232000 | 9 | 4 | 1 | | | 340404 | Xiejiaji District | Xièjiājí Qū | 270.6 | 221,589 | Pingshan Subdistrict| 232000 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | | 340405 | Bagongshan District | Bāgōngshān Qū | 67.15 | 118,221 | Xinzhuangzi Subdistrict | 232000 | 3 | 2 | | | | 340406 | Panji District | Pānjí Qū | 598.33 | 326,077 | Tianji Subdistrict | 232000 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 1 | | 340421 | Fengtai County | Fèngtái Xiàn | 1,091.63 | 633,385 | Chengguan Town | 232100 | | 15 | 4 | 1 | | 340422 | Shou County | Shòu Xiàn | 2,948.34 | 838,507 | Shouchun Town | 232200 | | 22 | 3 | 1 |

5. Economy

Huainan City has established a relatively comprehensive industrial system with coal, electricity, and chemicals as its pillars, encompassing sectors such as pharmaceuticals, building materials, textiles, machinery, electronics, light industry, and high-tech industries, boasting over ten thousand types of industrial products. The city is abundant in rice, wheat, rapeseed, etc., and has begun to establish a scale in cattle (both beef and dairy), goats, and freshwater aquaculture. By the end of 2016, its economic strength ranked second in Northern Anhui. Huainan is one of the cities in China with a significant wealth gap. The annual GDP completed in 2016 was $140 billion, ranking 12th in the province. The per capita GDP in 2016 was $4,081, also ranking 12th in the province.

Huainan's wage level surpassed that of Ma'anshan in 2006, with the average annual wage of employed workers in the city reaching 27,497 yuan. In 2007, it again ranked second.

5.1 Industry

It is known as one of China's "Three Major Bases": a national 100-million-ton coal base, an East China thermal power base, and a coal chemical industry base.

The economy is dominated by heavy industry, with the coal industry as the pillar. By the end of 2004, the proven coal reserves amounted to 44.4 billion tons.

As a key power base in East China, Huainan has a well-developed power industry. In addition to supplying electricity to Anhui Province, it also transmits power to Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu in East China, making it the largest power supply base in the region.

Notable Enterprises

• Yiyi Dairy

Coal Mining Industry

• Home to Asia's largest proven coal deposit (located in Fengtai County)

Major Power Plants

• Datang Huainan Luohe Power Plant
• CPI International Huainan Pingwei Power Plant
• Datang Huainan Tianjia'an Power Plant
• Huainan Anhui Tianji Power Plant (Huaihu Coal and Power Co., Ltd.)
• Huainan Fengtai Power Plant

Chemical Plants

• China National Chemical Engineering Third Construction Co., Ltd.
• Huainan Chemical Supply Co., Ltd.

5.2 Commerce

The commercial development strategy and overall goals, in line with the city's "Eastward Expansion and Southern Extension" development strategy, aim to construct a modern urban framework characterized by "Three Mountains Standing Firm, Three Waters Embracing, Three Cities Interacting." Based on Huainan's development trends and objectives, the Huainan City Commercial Network Plan proposes to build Huainan into a commercial and logistics center for Northwestern Anhui. The municipal government officially approved and implemented this plan on January 16, 2006. By 2020, the basic completion of 15 characteristic commercial streets, including underground specialty streets, is targeted to form a prosperous urban commercial landscape, establishing Huainan as the most bustling commercial and logistics center in Northwestern Anhui.

5.3 Agriculture

Huainan City straddles both banks of the Huai River. An ancient folk rhyme says, "Travel a thousand, travel ten thousand, none compare to the banks of the Huai," indicating that the Huai River basin has been fertile land since ancient times, an excellent region for agricultural development. Although Huainan is primarily an industrial city focused on coal and power energy, agriculture holds an important position in the national economy. By the end of 1998, the city administered one county and five districts, encompassing 21 towns, 20 townships, and 558 administrative villages. The agricultural sector features a complete range of products on a relatively large scale. In 2008, the city's total grain output was 1.341 million tons, a 6.9-fold increase from 170,000 tons in 1949 and a 3.7-fold increase from 287,000 tons in 1978. The grain yield per mu was 422.2 kg, a 7.9-fold increase from 47.5 kg/mu in 1949 and a 2.5-fold increase from 122.3 kg/mu in 1978. Specifically, wheat output reached 578,000 tons, a 10.8-fold increase from 1949 and a 3.9-fold increase from 1978; rice output reached 705,000 tons, a 77.3-fold increase from 1949 and a 7.0-fold increase from 1978. From 1949 to 1978, it took a full 29 years for the city's grain output to rise from 170,000 tons to 284,000 tons. During this period, grain output was low and unstable, with yields per mu stagnating for many years. Grain supply for the entire society was planned and rationed, consistently facing shortages. By 2008, the total grain output reached 1.341 million tons. Comparing by decade: in 1988, grain output was 647,000 tons, an increase of 365,000 tons from 282,000 tons in 1978; in 1998, it was 801,000 tons, an increase of 154,000 tons from 1988; and in 2008, it was 1.341 million tons, an increase of 540,000 tons from 1998.

5.4 Hefei-Huainan Integration

In November 2007, Huainan City proposed implementing the Hefei-Huainan Integration strategy. This received recognition and support from the provincial party committee and government, as well as a positive response from Hefei City. The two cities exchanged delegations for research, consultation, inspection, and feasibility studies, signing a regional cooperation framework agreement. Focusing on industrial parks, industrial corridors, and new town/village construction, they planned to advance Hefei-Huainan integration step by step, aiming for coordinated planning, joint transportation construction, information sharing, integrated markets, coordinated industrial layout, collaborative development of science and education, linked tourism routes, and joint environmental protection. The goal is to gradually achieve integration in urban development, economy, culture, transportation, tourism, and environmental protection, jointly building a more competitive and influential central city in the heartland of Anhui. On December 26, 2007, a Huainan City party and government delegation visited Hefei for study and observation. On December 1, 2008, Sun Jinlong led a Hefei City party and government delegation on a return visit to Huainan, where Hefei and Huainan reached important consensus on accelerating "Hefei-Huainan Integration." The two cities have signed ten cooperation agreements covering transportation, tourism, foreign trade and economy, information technology, justice, environmental protection, commerce, forestry, etc. Notably, the opening of Huainan's Dongshan Tunnel (Anhui's first urban tunnel) and the Hefei-Huainan-Fuyang Expressway reduced the travel time between Huainan and Hefei to just 50 minutes. The completion and operation of the Hefei-Bengbu Passenger Dedicated Line basically formed a one-hour "economic circle" and "living circle" between the two cities. In May 2008, the provincial government released the Anhui Provincial Capital Economic Circle Development Plan Outline, highlighting the importance of Huainan joining the provincial capital economic circle. By 2020, the Hefei Metro is expected to extend to Shou County, Huainan. In 2022, construction began on the Shou County section of Hefei Metro Line S1, marking a solid step forward in Hefei-Huainan integration.

Hefei and Huainan are currently organizing and implementing the overall plan for Hefei-Huainan Integration, the Hefei-Huainan Industrial Corridor Plan, the Major Transportation and Energy Plan, and the Regional Urban-Rural Integration Plan. This year, "transportation integration" will see a breakthrough first, with the renovation and expansion of three highways. Jiulong Avenue will connect Huainan City to Hefei's Shuangfeng Avenue, Shungeng Avenue will connect to Hefei's Mengcheng North Road, and Huainan Avenue will connect to National Highway 206, forming a fast land corridor between Hefei and Huainan. Simultaneously, efforts will advance preliminary preparations for the Yangtze-to-Huai River Water Diversion Project to open a waterway between Hefei and Huainan. Planning and construction of an urban Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will also commence to build an intercity public transport system between Hefei and Huainan. Industrial alignment will be accelerated, cultivating industrial clusters, high-energy-consumption industrial parks, and large logistics parks, striving to establish the Hefei-Huainan Industrial Corridor as a demonstration zone for undertaking industrial transfer from the Yangtze River Delta. Furthermore, efforts will promote the interconnection of markets for labor, talent, and property rights transactions, achieve the sharing of tourism, education, and medical resources, and realize mutual recognition of market access qualifications, standards, certifications, and inspections.

5.5 Huainan-Huaibei-Bengbu Urban Economic Circle

This concept was proposed earlier than Hefei-Huainan Integration. "Two Huai" refers to Huainan and Huaibei, both heavy industrial cities, and "One Beng" refers to Bengbu City.

6. Transportation

6.1 Rail Transit

• List of Urban Rail Transit in Huainan City

6.2 Intercity Transportation

Road transport primarily serves destinations within the province as well as Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Hebei, Henan, Beijing, and Tianjin. Rail transport mainly consists of intermediate passenger services to various parts of the country, with services originating from Huainan primarily bound for Shanghai.

6.3 Express Coach

• Hefei-Huainan Express Line (High-frequency departures every minute. Fare: 26 yuan, excluding insurance)

6.4 Highways

• National Highway 206
• S12 Chuxin Expressway: Northern section of Hefei-Huainan-Fuyang Expressway
• S17 Bengbu-Hefei Expressway: Southern section of Hefei-Huainan-Fuyang Expressway, Bengbu-Huainan Expressway
• G3 Beijing-Taipei Expressway: G3 Hefei-Xuzhou Expressway

6.5 Conventional Railways

• Huainan Line
• Fuyang-Huainan Line

6.6 High-Speed Railways

• Hefei-Bengbu Passenger Dedicated Line
• Shangqiu-Hangzhou Passenger Dedicated Line

7. Education

7.1 Undergraduate Universities

• Anhui University of Science and Technology
• Huainan Normal University

7.2 Vocational Colleges and Higher Vocational Institutions

• Huainan Union University
• Huainan Vocational and Technical College
• Anhui Vocational and Technical College of Industry and Trade

7.3 Provincial Exemplary High Schools

• Huainan No.1 High School
• Huainan No.2 High School
• Huainan No.3 High School
• Huainan No.4 High School
• Huainan No.5 High School
• Fengtai No.1 High School

6.4 Provincial Exemplary Junior High Schools

• Longhu Middle School
• Huainan No.3 Middle School (Junior High School Division)
• Dongshan Middle School

8. Population

By the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 3.027 million, a decrease of 13,000 people compared to the previous year, representing a decline of 0.43%. Compared to the 3.0335 million recorded in the Seventh National Population Census of Huainan City in 2020, there was a decrease of 6,500 people, with an average annual decline of 0.11%.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 3,033,528. Compared to the 3,342,012 from the Sixth National Population Census, the population decreased by 308,484 over the ten-year period, a decline of 9.23%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.96%. Among them, the male population was 1,547,407, accounting for 51.01% of the total population; the female population was 1,486,121, accounting for 48.99% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 104.12. The population aged 0–14 was 596,933, accounting for 19.68% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,800,123, accounting for 59.34% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 636,472, accounting for 20.98% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 496,518, accounting for 16.37% of the total population. The urban population was 1,852,729, accounting for 61.08% of the total population; the rural population was 1,180,799, accounting for 38.92% of the total population.

8.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 2,980,568, accounting for 98.25%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 52,960, accounting for 1.75%. Compared to the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population decreased by 302,802, a decline of 9.22%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.01 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities decreased by 5,682, a decline of 9.69%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.01 percentage points.

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9. Culture

9.1 Dialects

Huainan is a boundary and buffer zone between northern and southern Chinese dialects. Both Jianghuai Mandarin (Hongchao cluster) and Central Plains Mandarin (Xinbeng cluster) are spoken throughout the region. Fengtai County specifically uses the Xinbeng cluster.

9.2 Literature

Huainanzi

9.3 Arts

9.3.1 Flower Drum Lantern

Huainan is one of the birthplaces of the Chinese Flower Drum Lantern, known as the "Oriental Ballet." Fengtai County, under Huainan's jurisdiction, differs by only one character from Fengyang County to the east of Huainan. Similarly, a Flower Drum Lantern dance with a one-character difference originated here. Along with Fengyang's Flower Drum Lantern opera, it is an important local art form in Anhui and one of the representative dances of the Han Chinese ethnic group. It is also a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China.

9.3.2 Tui Opera

Tui Opera is one of Anhui Province's local operas and belongs to a rare genre. Also known as "Four-Sentence Tui," it is a relatively young theatrical form developed from the folk dance "Flower Drum Lantern." Its main components are threefold: performance—Flower Drum Lantern, vocal music—Yangqin (hammered dulcimer), plus folk dances popular in the plains north of the Huai River.

9.3.3 Children's Art

Children's art is a unique cultural phenomenon in Huainan and a strength and characteristic of the city. Over 20 works have won gold medals in international competitions, and more than 100 works have received awards in national competitions. Huainan has also hosted the Children's Art Festival and the International Children's Art Festival multiple times. The 2nd China·Huainan International Children's Art Festival was held in August 2009.

9.4 Local Specialties

• Bagongshan Tofu "Bagongshan Tofu," also known as "Four Seasons Tofu," is named for its year-round availability. This dish is a treasure among vegetarian foods and a traditional famous delicacy of Shou County. Tofu originated in the Bagongshan area during the time of Liu An, Prince of Huainan, specifically in the border area between Bagongshan District of Huainan City and Shou County, dating back over 2,000 years. The highest quality tofu comes from the Bagongshan area of Shou County, known as "Bagongshan Tofu." This tofu is made from pure soybeans and refined with spring water from Bagongshan. The tofu-making skills have been passed down through generations among local farmers, with many mastering excellent techniques. The resulting tofu is fine, white, fresh, and tender, deeply loved by the people.

• Huainan Beef Soup Huainan is located on the south bank of the Huai River, adjacent to its shores, where cattle and sheep are abundantly raised. The ancient Goudi area is also home to Hui ethnic communities who have a particular fondness for beef. They possess unique methods for processing beef. Beef soup is a delicious dish for families along the Huai River, the most important breakfast food, popular throughout the Jianghuai region, forming a distinctive local snack.

• Cured Meat, Salted Duck, Salted Goose

9.5 Urban Culture

Huainan City focuses on promoting five cultural themes: "Huainanzi" culture, Flower Drum Lantern culture, tofu culture, children's art, and Bagongshan tourism culture, aiming to invigorate the city through cultural strength. It actively promotes the "ancient wisdom for modern use" of the Huainanzi, vigorously publicizes it, and expands its influence. Several professional Flower Drum Lantern performance troupes have frequently represented China and Anhui Province in performances abroad, showcasing the brand advantage of Flower Drum Lantern art. Since 1992, the China Tofu Culture Festival, jointly organized by the China General Chamber of Commerce and the Anhui Provincial People's Government and hosted by Huainan City, has been successfully held for 15 sessions. Leveraging four major tourism resource sectors—natural landscapes, historical culture, industrial tourism, and religious culture—and using the "Bagongshan" brand, efforts are made to build Huainan into a tourism center in northwestern Anhui.

9.6 China Tofu Culture Festival

The China Tofu Culture Festival is an international commercial, tourism, and cultural festival jointly organized by the China General Chamber of Commerce and the Anhui Provincial People's Government, hosted by the Huainan Municipal People's Government and the Anhui Provincial Tourism Bureau. It is held simultaneously on both sides of the Taiwan Strait (Huainan and Taipei) every September 15th, integrating culture, tourism, and economic trade. It has been held continuously in Huainan since 1992.

As a traditional health food, tofu has a history of over 2,000 years. Huainan has left a glorious page in the ancient civilization of humanity regarding the invention, production, consumption of tofu, and the tofu culture based on it, also making due contributions to modern human civilization.

Previously, it was internationally believed that tofu was a delicacy invented by the Japanese. Later, to prove that tofu was indeed a Chinese invention, people from Taiwan specifically visited Huainan City, the birthplace of tofu and the homeland of Chu-Han culture, for investigation. Together, from September 15th to 17th, 1990, the Ministry of Commerce (now the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China) and the Taiwan Tofu Commercial Guild held the first China Tofu Culture Festival in Taipei and Beijing respectively. Shortly after the first festival, based on considerations of promoting national culture and expanding openness, the Huainan Municipal People's Government actively sought the hosting rights for the China Tofu Culture Festival in early 1991, receiving strong support from the Anhui Provincial People's Government. The former Ministry of Commerce decided that the second China Tofu Culture Festival would be held in Huainan on September 15, 1991. However, it was postponed to 1992 due to historically rare floods in the Huai River basin. Because the second festival was very successful, the former Ministry of Commerce and the Provincial People's Government agreed, and Zhang Runxia, the former Vice Governor of Anhui Province, announced at the closing ceremony: the China Tofu Culture Festival would be held in Huainan every September 15th thereafter. Since Huainan postponed the second festival by one year while Taiwan held it on schedule, an inconsistency arose in the session numbers of the China Tofu Culture Festival across the Strait. To resolve this, in 1993, the former Ministry of Commerce mediated and decided that neither side would use session numbers for future festivals, instead uniformly using the year. Later, to indicate the festival's continuity and location, with the agreement of the organizing units, the China General Chamber of Commerce and the Anhui Provincial People's Government, it was changed back to using session numbers in 2002, based on the number of times held in Huainan.

As of 2009, three sessions were canceled due to the Huai River floods in 1991 and the Asian financial crisis in 1997. Huainan City has successfully hosted 17 sessions of the China Tofu Culture Festival.

Huainan calls itself the "Hometown of Tofu," but in reality, the term "hometown" (故里) is only applicable to people, not objects. The inventor of tofu, Liu An, was the Prince of Huainan. Huainan can be called the "Birthplace of Tofu" or the "Place of Tofu's Invention," and also the "Hometown of Liu An." However, because Prince Liu An of Huainan is not widely famous, Huainan is mistakenly called the "Hometown of Tofu."

9.7 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Anfeng Pond
• Shouchun City Ruins
• Shouzhou Kiln Ruins
• Ancient City Wall of Shou County
• Family Cemetery of Liu An, Prince of Huainan
• Confucian Temple of Shou County
• Mosque of Shou County
• Sites of Crimes Committed by the Japanese Invading Army in Huainan

9.8 Scenic Areas

• Bagongshan Forest Park
• Shangyao Forest Park Shangyao is one of the four major ancient kilns in ancient China. The total area of Shangyao Forest Park is 10.4 square kilometers. Main attractions include "Ancient Battlefield of Shenshan," "Dongshan Temple" (built during the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty, featuring the Mahavira Hall, Heavenly King Hall, and Guanyin Hall), "Temple of Ksitigarbha," and the park's "Eight Ancient Scenes": "Strange Peaks Obscuring the Sun," "Steep Cliffs Rubbing the Sky," "Rock Opening Like a Dipper," "Immortal Bridge," "Immortal Cave," "Queen Mother Beach," etc. It is described as "The forest preserves eight scenes, after all, they are naturally divine and marvelous; The wind and moon transcend a thousand autumns, everywhere is poetic and picturesque." The park preserves the timeless masterpiece Gaotang Fu written by Song Yu during the Warring States period. The site where King Xiang of Chu and Song Yu toured the Yumeng Terrace is called "Shangtiantai" (Heavenly Platform). The park contains the "Daoguan Temple" built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, said to be the temple where Zhang Guolao became an immortal; places where Zhu Yuanzhang took refuge and played as a young beggar, such as "A Flash of Inspiration" and "Qianniu Lane." There are many folk tales and legends within the park, such as the "Legend of Queen Mother Beach" and the story of the "Immortal Cave." It is said that on the beachhead of Queen Mother Beach, there are marks resembling wheat grains, along with the footprints of the Queen Mother and the hoof prints of Zhang Guolao's donkey. The Immortal Cave is praised with the verse: "The immortal cave's marvel is no legend, A winding path leads secludedly to distant mountains; Who has seen this beautiful path, Who in the world knows the sky within the earth?"
• Dongshan Tunnel The first urban tunnel in Anhui Province and also the longest urban tunnel in Anhui. Construction of the Dongshan Tunnel began in February 2006, with a total investment of approximately 190 million yuan. The dual-bore tunnel is each 916 meters long, with a clear width inside a single bore of 14.5 meters, divided into motor vehicle lanes, non-motor vehicle lanes, pedestrian walkways, and maintenance passages. It is equipped with comprehensive ventilation, lighting, monitoring, and fire protection systems. It connects the old city area with the new Shannan city area, features a blue ceiling adorned with starry light decorations. Entry and exit are free. Bamboo forest lighting decorations are installed at the old city exit. It opened to traffic on June 30, 2008.
• Yin Family Ancestral Hall
• Xiashankou
• New Fourth Army Memorial Forest
• Wolong Mountain
• Maoxian Cave
• Mausoleum of Lord Chunshen
• Longhu Park
• Ancient City Wall of Shou County
• Qinhe

10. Sister Cities

10.1 Domestic Sister Cities

Tongchuan City Wuqing District, Tianjin Jiangyin City Huai'an City Aral City Haikou City Qiongshan District, Haikou City

10.2 International Sister Cities

Ruse, Bulgaria

10.3 Economic Friendly Cooperation and Cultural Exchange

Hong Kong Singapore Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan Ruhr, Germany South Korea Taiwan

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