Qingyuan (清远)

1. Introduction

Qingyuan City (official transliteration: Qingyuan, traditional foreign name: Tsingyün), abbreviated as Qing, also known as Fengcheng (Phoenix City), is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China. It is located in the north-central part of Guangdong Province. The city borders Shaoguan City to the east, Guangzhou City to the southeast, Foshan City to the south, Zhaoqing City and Hezhou City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the west, and Yongzhou City and Chenzhou City of Hunan Province to the north. Situated in the middle and lower reaches of the North River, on the southern foothills of the Nanling Mountains, and north of the Pearl River Delta, its northwestern part is a mountainous and hilly region, while the southeastern part is a platform and plain area. At the northeastern edge of the city lies Shikengkong, with an elevation of 1,902 meters, which is the highest peak in Guangdong Province. The North River flows through the southeastern part of the city and passes through the urban area. The Lian River originates in the north and joins the North River in Yingde City. Qingyuan is the largest prefecture-level city in Guangdong Province by area. The People's Government of Qingyuan City is located at Renmin Er Road, Qingcheng District.

Qingyuan serves as a major convergence area for political, economic, and cultural exchanges between the open regions of the Pearl River Delta and the mountainous areas of northern Guangdong. It is also a primary settlement area for ethnic minorities in Guangdong Province.

2. Origin of the Name

Qingyuan is also known as Fengcheng (Phoenix City) because its territorial map resembles a phoenix. The name "Phoenix City" also originates from a legend: near the Qingyuan Workers' Cultural Palace, a nest of phoenixes once inhabited a tall parasol tree. Under the tree lived a young man named Zhang Yi, who made a living by boating. One year, the Beijiang River flooded severely. As the saying goes: "Rain in Nanxiong wets the stones; by Shaoguan, it rises three feet; reaching Yingde, it submerges half the walls; flooding Qingyuan, folks have nowhere to flee." This illustrates the ferocity of the flood, which swiftly inundated Qingcheng. Zhang Yi rowed his small boat everywhere to rescue people. When he reached the parasol tree, he heard the chirping of phoenixes and realized the water level was about to reach the treetop. The adult phoenixes had gone out to search for food, and the young phoenixes' wings were not yet fully grown. As the water submerged the parasol tree, Zhang Yi quickly swam to the center of the tree and gathered the young phoenixes from their nest. However, his feet became entangled in parasitic vines on the tree, leaving him trapped. He could only place the young phoenixes in his boat, but unfortunately, he himself was engulfed by the floodwaters. When the mother phoenix returned and witnessed this touching scene, she felt that since a human had sacrificed his life to save her offspring, she should fulfill the young man's wish of rescuing people. She then floated on the water's surface, allowing those struggling in the flood to step on her back to escape. Eventually, exhausted and depleted of strength, she also perished, transforming into two streets in Qingyuan. Thus, Qingyuan appears to resemble a phoenix, and the place where the phoenix sacrificed herself is called "Qifeng Li" (Rising Phoenix Lane). Consequently, Qingcheng came to be known as Phoenix City. Notably, there are two Phoenix Cities in Guangdong. This is because when the father phoenix returned to find his beloved wife had passed away, he was heartbroken and flew away with their offspring to Daliang in Shunde. Hence, Daliang in Shunde is also called Phoenix City.

3. Historical Administrative Evolution

3.1. Qin and Han Dynasties

After Qin Shi Huang unified China, the area of present-day Qingyuan City was divided between Nanhai Commandery and Changsha Commandery. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Western Han Dynasty, Guiyang County (covering areas like present-day Lianzhou) was established and belonged to the Han Dynasty's Guiyang Commandery, while the rest of the region belonged to the Nanyue Kingdom under Zhao Tuo. In the sixth year of the Yuanding era of the Western Han Dynasty (111 BC), the administrative divisions within the area of present-day Qingyuan City included: Zhongsu County (covering present-day Qingcheng District and Qingxin District), subordinate to Nanhai Commandery of the Jiaozhi Province; and Guiyang, Yangshan, Hanqiang, and Zhenyang (covering present-day Yingde City) counties, subordinate to Guiyang Commandery of Jingzhou Province. By the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the entire area belonged to the state of Wu. In the first year of the Ganlu era of Wu (265 AD), Zhongsu and four other counties were placed under the newly established Shixing Commandery of Jingzhou.

3.2. Northern and Southern Dynasties

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, continuous warfare led to a large-scale southward migration of Han Chinese. To accommodate their subordinates, the rulers of the Southern Dynasties established a large number of new prefectures, commanderies, and counties. In the first year of the Datong era of the Liang Dynasty (546 AD), Xiheng Prefecture was established in Hanqiang, overseeing Yangshan Commandery, Liangle Commandery, and Qile Commandery. Among these, Yangshan Commandery administered counties including Hanqiang, Yangshan, Guiyang, and Guangde (established in the fifth year of the Tianjian era of the Southern Liang Dynasty, later renamed Guangze); Liangle Commandery administered Liangle (in present-day Yangshan County area, later renamed Xuanle) and Jian'an (location of the county seat unknown) counties; Qile Commandery administered Xiping County (in present-day Liannan and Lianshan counties area, later renamed Xiping); Qingyuan Commandery administered five counties: Zhongsu (county seat at present-day Chengguo Village, Longjing Town, Qingxin County, Qingyuan City), Weizheng (county seat at present-day Weizheng Town, Sihui City, Zhaoqing), Lianping, Enqia, and Fuhu (seats of the latter three counties unknown), subordinate to Guangzhou Prefecture. The name "Qingyuan" originated from this. Zhenyang County belonged to Shixing Commandery of Dongheng Prefecture.

3.3. Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties

In the tenth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (590 AD), Qingyuan Commandery and its five subordinate counties including Zhongsu were abolished, and Qingyuan County and Zhengbing County (in the area of present-day Binjiang, Qingxin County) were established, subordinate to Nanhai Commandery. Yangshan Commandery was abolished and replaced by Lian Prefecture, while Xiheng Prefecture was renamed Kuang Prefecture. In the twentieth year (600 AD), Kuang Prefecture was abolished and Hanqiang County was established. In the first year of the Renshou era (601 AD), to avoid the naming taboo of Crown Prince Yang Guang, Guangze County was renamed Lianshan County. In the third year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty (607 AD), Qingyuan, Zhengbing, and Hanqiang counties belonged to Nanhai Commandery of Guangzhou Prefecture, while Guiyang, Yangshan, Lianshan, Xuanle, Jian'an, and Xiping counties belonged to Xiping Commandery of Lian Prefecture. In the thirteenth year (617 AD), Xuanle County was merged into Yangshan County.

In the fourth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (621 AD), Xiping County was merged into Lianshan County. In the sixth year (623 AD), Zhengbing County was merged into Qingyuan County. In the twenty-ninth year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (741 AD), Qingyuan, Hanqiang, and Yangshan counties belonged to Guangzhou Prefecture; in the first year of the Tianbao era (742 AD), Lianshan Commandery was established in Lianshan County, belonging to the Lingnan Circuit and administering Yangshan, Guiyang, and Lianshan counties. In the first year of the Qianyuan era (758 AD), Lianshan Commandery was abolished, and Lian Prefecture and Lianshan County were established. In the fifth year of the Qianhe era of the Southern Han Dynasty (947 AD), Ying Prefecture was established in Zhenyang, administering Zhenyang and other counties.

In the fourth year of the Kaibao era of the Song Dynasty (971 AD), the character "洭" (Kuang) in "浛洭" (Hanqiang) was homophonous with the given name "匡" (Kuang) of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, and thus became taboo; Hanqiang was renamed Han'guang. In the first year of the Qianxing era (1022 AD), the character "浈" (Zhen) in "浈阳" (Zhenyang) was homophonous with the given name "祯" (Zhen) of Emperor Renzong of Song, Zhao Zhen, and thus became taboo; Zhenyang was renamed Zhenyang. In the first year of the Zhenghe era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1111 AD), Qingyuan County belonged to Guangzhou Prefecture of the Guangnan East Circuit; Guiyang, Yangshan, and Lianshan counties belonged to Lian Prefecture; Zhenyang and Han'guang counties belonged to Ying Prefecture. In the sixth year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1136 AD), Lianshan County was abolished and became a town; it was re-established as a county in the eighteenth year of Shaoxing and renamed Chengshan County (later restored to Lianshan County in the early Yuan Dynasty). In the first year of the Qingyuan era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1195 AD), Ying Prefecture was elevated to Yingde Prefecture. It is said that before Emperor Ningzong of Song, Zhao Kuo, ascended the throne, he was enfeoffed as the Duke of Ying, and the corresponding prefecture was his "潜邸" (residence before ascending the throne), marking the beginning of prefectures holding higher status than ordinary prefectures.

3.4. Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

In the fifteenth year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1278 AD), Yingde Prefecture was changed to Yingde Route Chief Administration, belonging to Guangdong Circuit. Shortly after, it was demoted back to a prefecture, and Han'guang and Zhenyang counties were merged into Ying Prefecture.

In the second year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1369 AD), Yingde Prefecture was downgraded to Yingde County, belonging to Shaozhou Prefecture of the Lingnan Circuit. In the fourteenth year, Lian Prefecture and its subordinate Yangshan and Lianshan counties were transferred to Guangzhou Prefecture.

In the seventh year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty (1729 AD), Lian Prefecture was changed to a directly-administered prefecture, directly under the Guangdong Provincial Administration Commission, administering Yangshan and Lianshan counties. In the eighteenth year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1813 AD), territory was carved out from Qingyuan and Yingde counties to establish Fogang Directly-administered Subprefecture, responsible for policing affairs in six counties including Qingyuan. In the twenty-first year, Lianshan County was elevated to Suiyao Directly-administered Subprefecture, overseeing Yao affairs in the "Lianyang" region. In the third year of the Xuantong era of the Qing Dynasty (1911 AD), it was renamed Lianshan County.

3.5. Republic of China

In the first year of the Republic of China (1912 AD) and the third year, Lian Directly-administered Prefecture and Fogang Directly-administered Subprefecture were changed to Lian County and Fogang County, respectively. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Guangdong Provincial Government relocated north to Lian County. All counties (cities, districts) of present-day Qingyuan City were under the jurisdiction of the Second Administrative Inspectorate of Guangdong Province. In the thirty-fifth year of the Republic of China, Liannan County was established to oversee Yao areas.

3.6. People's Republic of China

In 1953, Liannan and Lianshan merged to form the Liannan Yao Autonomous Region. In 1954, the Lianshan County administrative structure was restored. In 1955, the Liannan Yao Autonomous Region was renamed Liannan Yao Autonomous County. In 1958, Lian County, Liannan, Lianshan, and Yangshan counties merged to form the Lianyang Multi-ethnic Autonomous County. In the same year, Fogang was merged into Conghua County. In 1960, Yangshan County was restored. In 1961, the administrative structures of Fogang County, Lian County, Lianshan County, and Liannan Yao Autonomous County were restored. In 1962, the 115th session of the State Council approved the restoration of Lianshan Zhuang and Yao Autonomous County. From the founding of the PRC until June 1983, Fogang County was successively under the jurisdiction of Shaoguan, Guangzhou, and Foshan; Yingde, Yangshan, Lian County, Liannan, Lianshan, and Qingyuan counties were successively under the jurisdiction of the Northern Jiang Provisional Administrative Committee, Shaoguan Special District, and Shaoguan Prefecture. In July 1983, Shaoguan implemented a new system of cities administering counties; Qingyuan and Fogang counties were transferred from Shaoguan Prefecture to Guangzhou City's jurisdiction.

On January 7, 1988, the State Council approved the abolition of Qingyuan County and the establishment of the prefecture-level Qingyuan City. The former Qingyuan County was divided into two municipal districts: Qingcheng and Qingjiao. Additionally, Fogang County under Guangzhou City's jurisdiction and Yingde County, Yangshan County, Lian County, Liannan Yao Autonomous County, and Lianshan Zhuang and Yao Autonomous County under Shaoguan City's jurisdiction were placed under Qingyuan City's administration.

In 1992, Qingjiao District was changed to Qingxin County.

In 1994, Yingde and Lian County were changed to county-level cities (Lian County was renamed Lianzhou City).

In 2012, Qingxin County was changed to Qingxin District.

4. Climate

Meteorological Data of Qingyuan City (1981–2010)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------|----------|----------|----------| | Record high °C (°F) | 28.6 (83.5) | 30.0 (86.0) | 33.4 (92.1) | 33.5 (92.3) | 35.0 (95.0) | 38.1 (100.6) | 39.0 (102.2) | 38.7 (101.7) | 38.2 (100.8) | 36.4 (97.5) | 33.2 (91.8) | 28.7 (83.7) | 39.0 (102.2) | | Average high °C (°F) | 17.6 (63.7) | 18.1 (64.6) | 20.6 (69.1) | 25.2 (77.4) | 29.4 (84.9) | 31.5 (88.7) | 33.3 (91.9) | 33.4 (92.1) | 31.9 (89.4) | 29.0 (84.2) | 24.6 (76.3) | 20.1 (68.2) | 26.2 (79.2) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | 13.1 (55.6) | 14.4 (57.9) | 17.2 (63.0) | 21.8 (71.2) | 25.5 (77.9) | 27.6 (81.7) | 28.9 (84.0) | 28.9 (84.0) | 27.4 (81.3) | 24.3 (75.7) | 19.5 (67.1) | 14.9 (58.8) | 22.0 (71.5) | | Average low °C (°F) | 10.0 (50.0) | 11.8 (53.2) | 14.7 (58.5) | 19.4 (66.9) | 22.7 (72.9) | 24.9 (76.8) | 25.7 (78.3) | 25.7 (78.3) | 24.2 (75.6) | 20.8 (69.4) | 15.9 (60.6) | 11.2 (52.2) | 18.9 (66.1) | | Record low °C (°F) | 1.5 (34.7) | 2.1 (35.8) | 2.8 (37.0) | 8.7 (47.7) | 13.9 (57.0) | 18.8 (65.8) | 21.9 (71.4) | 21.8 (71.2) | 15.5 (59.9) | 10.2 (50.4) | 4.6 (40.3) | 1.1 (34.0) | 1.1 (34.0) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 56.6 (2.23) | 88.5 (3.48) | 142.4 (5.61) | 239.4 (9.43) | 350.6 (13.80) | 391.4 (15.41) | 282.0 (11.10) | 227.0 (8.94) | 147.2 (5.80) | 62.4 (2.46) | 45.0 (1.77) | 36.7 (1.44) | 2,069.2 (81.47) | | Average relative humidity (%) | 71 | 77 | 81 | 83 | 82 | 83 | 80 | 79 | 75 | 69 | 66 | 65 | 76 |

5. Administrative Divisions

Qingyuan City currently administers 2 municipal districts, 2 counties, 2 autonomous counties, and manages 2 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Qingcheng District, Qingxin District
• County-level Cities: Yingde City, Lianzhou City
• Counties: Fogang County, Yangshan County
• Autonomous Counties: Lianshan Zhuang and Yao Autonomous County, Liannan Yao Autonomous County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Sub-districts | Towns | Ethnic Townships | |---------------|-----------------------------------|------------------------------------|--------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------|-------------|---------------|-------|------------------| | 441800 | Qingyuan City | Qīngyuǎn Shì | 19,035.54 | 3,969,473 | Qingcheng District | 511500 | 5 | 77 | 3 | | 441802 | Qingcheng District | Qīngchéng Qū | 1,296.31 | 1,119,901 | Dongcheng Sub-district | 511500 | 4 | 4 | | | 441803 | Qingxin District | Qīngxīn Qū | 2,353.39 | 618,523 | Taihe Town | 511800 | | 8 | | | 441821 | Fogang County | Fógāng Xiàn | 1,295.17 | 315,502 | Shijiao Town | 511600 | | 6 | | | 441823 | Yangshan County | Yángshān Xiàn | 3,329.53 | 367,175 | Yangcheng Town | 513100 | | 12 | 1 | | 441825 | Lianshan Zhuang and Yao Autonomous County | Liánshān Zhuàngzú Yáozú Zìzhìxiàn | 1,218.46 | 95,136 | Jitian Town | 513200 | | 7 | | | 441826 | Liannan Yao Autonomous County | Liánnán Yáozú Zìzhìxiàn | 1,240.91 | 134,691 | Sanjiang Town | 513300 | | 7 | | | 441881 | Yingde City | Yīngdé Shì | 5,634.21 | 941,325 | Yingcheng Sub-district | 513000 | 1 | 23 | | | 441882 | Lianzhou City | Liánzhōu Shì | 2,667.55 | 377,220 | Lianzhou Town | 513400 | | 10 | 2 |

6. Economy

In 2018, the city's gross regional product reached 156.52 billion yuan, an increase of 4.0%. Specifically, the added value of the primary industry grew to 23.13 billion yuan, up by 4.6%; the secondary industry increased to 54.29 billion yuan, rising by 6.5%; and the tertiary industry expanded to 79.10 billion yuan, growing by 1.9%. The industrial structure was composed of 14.8% primary industry, 34.7% secondary industry, and 50.5% tertiary industry. The per capita gross regional product of the city was 40,476 yuan, equivalent to 6,117 US dollars based on the annual average exchange rate.

7. Transportation

• Railways: Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, Guangzhou-Qingyuan Intercity Railway, Qingyuan Maglev (not yet operational)
• Expressways: G4 Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, G0421 Xuchang-Guangzhou Expressway, G0423 Lechang-Guangzhou Expressway, G78 Shantou-Kunming Expressway, G55 Erdos-Guangzhou Expressway, S1 Guangzhou-Lianzhou Expressway, S14 Shantou-Zhanjiang Expressway, S16 Foshan-Qingyuan-Conghua Expressway
• Highways: National Highway 106, National Highway 107, National Highway 323, National Highway 240, National Highway 355
• Water Transport: Mainstream navigation of the Beijiang River
• Public Transportation: Multiple bus routes operate within Qingcheng District and Qingxin District, connecting various parts of the urban area and some towns in Qingxin District, managed by Yueyun Bus.

8. Education

8.1. Public Schools Directly Under the Qingyuan Education Bureau:

1. Kindergartens: Qingyuan Experimental Kindergarten (formerly Qingyuan Municipal Government Agency Kindergarten) and Xinbeijiang Kindergarten.
2. Senior High Schools: Qingyuan No.1 Middle School, Qingyuan No.2 Middle School, Qingyuan No.3 Middle School, Qingyuan Overseas Chinese Middle School, Qingyuan Yuantan Middle School, Qingyuan Zichen Middle School.
3. Secondary Specialized Schools: Qingyuan Vocational Technical School, Qingyuan Industry and Trade Vocational Technical School.
4. Special Education School: Qingyuan Special Education School.

8.2. Higher Education Institutions:

• Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, Qingyuan Campus
• Qingyuan Polytechnic
• Guangdong Nanhua Vocational College of Industry and Commerce, Qingyuan Campus
• Guangdong Lingnan Institute of Technology, Qingyuan Campus
• Guangdong Country Garden Polytechnic

8.3. 5 Higher Education Institutions in the Provincial Vocational Education Base:

• Guangdong Communications Polytechnic, Qingyuan Campus
• Guangdong Vocational College of Science and Trade
• Guangdong Construction Polytechnic
• Guangdong Engineering Polytechnic, Qingyuan Campus
• Guangdong Vocational College of Finance and Trade, North Campus

9. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 3,969,473. Compared with the 3,698,412 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the total increase over the past ten years was 271,061 people, a growth of 7.33%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.71%. Among them, the male population was 2,061,098, accounting for 51.92% of the total population; the female population was 1,908,375, accounting for 48.08% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 108. The population aged 0–14 was 926,143, accounting for 23.33% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 2,395,051, accounting for 60.34% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 648,279, accounting for 16.33% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 461,190, accounting for 11.62% of the total population. The urban population was 2,163,209, accounting for 54.5% of the total population; the rural population was 1,806,264, accounting for 45.5% of the total population.

By the end of 2021, the registered population of Qingyuan City was 4.518 million, an increase of 19,000 from the previous year, a growth of 0.4%. Among them, the male population was 2.346 million, and the female population was 2.173 million.

9.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group numbered 3,778,532, accounting for 95.19%; ethnic minorities numbered 190,941, accounting for 4.81%. Among them, the Yao ethnic group numbered 107,574, accounting for 2.71%; the Zhuang ethnic group numbered 61,474, accounting for 1.55%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han population increased by 237,464, a growth of 6.71%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.56 percentage points; the ethnic minority population increased by 33,597, a growth of 21.35%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.56 percentage points. Among them, the Yao population increased by 11,821, a growth of 12.35%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.12 percentage points; the Zhuang population increased by 11,217, a growth of 22.32%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.19 percentage points.

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10. Sister Cities

• Bridgeport, USA

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Qingcheng District

Qingcheng District

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Magnolia tree

Mucuna Birdwoodiana (2013 - Present)
Bougainvillea (2021 - Present)