Wuhu (芜湖)

1. Introduction

Wuhu City (Mandarin: Wúhú Shì, Wuhu County dialect: Vúhú Sì), abbreviated as Wu, historically known as Jiuzi, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, located in the southeastern part of Anhui Province. The city borders Hefei City to the west, Tongling City and Chizhou City to the south, Xuancheng City to the east, and Ma'anshan City to the north. Situated in the Yangtze River coastal plain, the Yangtze River flows from south to north through the city. The urban area is located on the south bank of the Yangtze River, at the confluence of the Qingyi River and the Yangtze River. To the east of the Qingyi River lies the Shuiyang River, and to the west, the Zhang River flows into it. The city covers a total area of 6,026 square kilometers, with a permanent population of approximately 3.74 million people. The People's Government of Wuhu City is located at No. 66, Zhengtong Road, Jiujiang District.

Wuhu is designated as a Type II large city in the national Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration plan, a provincial sub-central city of Anhui Province, and a core city of the Wanjiang City Belt Industrial Transfer Demonstration Zone. It is also an important member of the G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor, the Hefei-Wuhu-Bengbu National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone, the Southern Anhui International Cultural Tourism Demonstration Zone, and the Nanjing Metropolitan Area. Its economic output ranks second in Anhui Province. The 2019 Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration Conference was held here. The population is predominantly Han Chinese, with Wuhu dialect commonly used in urban areas, and some regions using Wu Chinese, among others. After the establishment of the Wuhu International Settlement in 1877, Li Hongzhang managed and developed Wuhu's economy, making it one of the "Four Major Rice Markets of Jiangnan."

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2. History

2.1 Before the 19th Century

During the Spring and Autumn period, the area was named Jiuzi by the State of Wu due to the abundance of turtledoves in the nearby lakes and grasslands. The section of the Yangtze River flowing through this area was thus nicknamed the Jiujiang River. The ancient site was located on the south bank of the Shuiyang River, approximately 40 li southeast of present-day Wuhu City. The area, characterized by lakes and overgrown weeds, was named Wuhu.

During the Warring States period, in the fourth year of King Yuan of Zhou (472 BC), the State of Wu was destroyed by the State of Yue, and Jiuzi came under Yue's control.

In the Qin dynasty, the empire was divided into 36 commanderies, and Jiuzi belonged to Zhang Commandery.

In the Han dynasty, in the second year of the Yuanfeng era of Emperor Wu (109 BC), Zhang Commandery was renamed Danyang Commandery, governing 17 counties, among which was Wuhu County. This marks the beginning of the name "Wuhu County." In the first year of the Zhanghe era of the Eastern Han (87 AD), Prince Liu Huang of Qi was found guilty, demoted to Marquis of Wuhu, and Wuhu County was changed to the State of Wuhu. In 90 AD, the second-generation Marquis of Wuhu, Liu Wuji, was restored as Prince of Qi, and Wuhu reverted to a county.

During the Three Kingdoms period, in the second year of the Huangwu era of Eastern Wu (223 AD), the seat of Wuhu County was moved from Jiuzi to the area around Jimao Mountain, southeast of the present-day urban district, still under Danyang Commandery.

In the Eastern Jin dynasty, the Yuzhou administrative division was established in exile at Wuhu. In the first year of the Xingning era of Emperor Ai (363 AD), Wuhu was transferred to Xuancheng Commandery and became its administrative seat. In the second year of the Ningkang era of Emperor Xiaowu (374 AD), the Shangdang Commandery, originally from Shanxi, was established in exile here to remember the homeland. During the Taiyuan era of Emperor Xiaowu, the exiled commandery was abolished and converted into a county, merging Yanggu (present-day Fanchang) into Wuhu County. Later, Wuhu County was abolished and merged into Xiangyuan County. From then on, the establishment of Wuhu County was revoked. Both Xiangyuan and Shangdang counties belonged to the Huainan exile commandery. In the early Xianhe era of the Eastern Jin, the Huainan Commandery in exile was established at Yuhu in Danyang (located 19 km south of present-day Dangtu County).

In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of Emperor Wen of Sui (589 AD), the original Wuhu (city) was abolished and became a town under Dangtu County, a status maintained during the Tang dynasty.

During the Five Dynasties period, in the Shengyuan era of Southern Tang, Wuhu County was re-established and placed under Jiangning Prefecture. From then on, its establishment remained unchanged through successive dynasties.

In the eighth year of the Kaibao era of Emperor Taizu of Song (975 AD), Wuhu was placed under Xuanzhou. In the second year of the Taiping Xingguo era (977 AD), it was transferred to Taiping Prefecture. From then until the Republic of China era, Wuhu County was always subordinate to Taiping (a lu and prefecture in the Yuan dynasty, and a prefecture in both Ming and Qing dynasties).

During the Song dynasty, Wuhu began constructing city walls, which were later destroyed by warfare.

In the Ming dynasty, Wuhu rebuilt its city walls, completed in 1581 (the ninth year of the Wanli era). The scale was quite small, with a perimeter of 739 zhang, roughly trapezoidal in shape. However, due to flourishing industry and commerce, the urban area extended far beyond the city walls, stretching westward along both banks of the Qingyi River all the way to the Yangtze River. "From Yushikou to the pagoda roots at the river mouth, it was known as the Ten-Mile Long Street." Wuhu was "renowned for the multitude of its boats and carriages, the wealth of its goods and trade, and the splendor of its culture and refinement, nearly matching that of a prefectural seat, surpassing others." Wuhu was listed by Huizhou merchants as one of the nation's 16 major cities.

During the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom war, Wuhu city suffered severe damage from warfare, and the Ten-Mile Long Street was reduced to ruins.

2.2 Wuhu Concession

In 1876, the Wuhu International Settlement was opened as a treaty port to British merchants. Subsequently, foreign capital and Catholic missionaries flocked to the area. In 1877, Li Hongzhang petitioned the imperial court and gained approval to relocate the Zhenjiang rice market to Wuhu. Within a few years, Wuhu became the foremost of China's four major rice markets. The market concentrated in the area west of the county seat to the Yangtze River, on the north bank of the Qingyi River, in the war-ravaged Ten-Mile Long Street district, leading to the rapid recovery of this neighborhood. Furthermore, north of the Ten-Mile Long Street, Erjie Street (1894), Damalu (1902, present-day Zhongshan Road), and Ermalu (present-day Xinwu Road) were successively opened, forming new commercial districts. The Li Hongzhang family invested heavily in Wuhu real estate. Li Jingfang stated, "No place compares to Jiuzi," and constructed numerous buildings of various types, leaving a profound mark on Wuhu's urban landscape. By 1910, the urban area of Wuhu had expanded to approximately 2.4 square kilometers.

2.3 Republic of China

In the first year of the Republic of China (1912), prefectures, sub-prefectures, and departments were abolished, retaining only counties and circuits. Wuhu County was directly under Anhui Province.

From the 3rd to the 17th year of the Republic of China (1914-1928), the Wuhu Circuit (based in Wuhu) was established, governing 23 counties in southern Anhui, with Wuhu as the primary first-class county.

In the 21st year of the Republic of China (1932), the Nanjing National Government established Administrative Inspectorate Offices below the provincial level. Wuhu County served as the seat of the Anhui Province Second Administrative Inspectorate Office.

In the 27th year of the Republic of China (1938), Japanese forces occupied Wuhu. The Second Inspectorate was abolished, and the area was transferred to the Fifth Inspectorate. On October 25 of the same year, it was transferred again to the Ninth Inspectorate.

In August of the 30th year of the Republic of China (1941), it belonged to the Sixth Inspectorate.

In September of the 34th year of the Republic of China (1945), after the victory in the War of Resistance, it came under the Anhui Province Southern Anhui Administrative Office and served as the seat of the Sixth Inspectorate.

2.4 People's Republic of China

Anhui Normal University in the 1950s On April 24, 1949, the 88th Division of the 30th Army of the Third Field Army of the People's Liberation Army entered and stationed in Wuhu. On April 27, the Wuhu Military Control Commission was established, directly under the Nanjing Military Control Commission.

On May 10, 1949, the Wuhu Municipal People's Government was established. On May 12, the Wuhu County People's Government was established. From then on, Wuhu City and County were separately administered. On May 13, the Southern Anhui Administrative Office (provincial-level organization) was established with its seat in Wuhu City, governing the Wudang, Chizhou, and Xuancheng Special Districts. Wuhu City was directly under the Southern Anhui Administrative Office. Wuhu County belonged to the Wudang Special District under the Southern Anhui Administrative Office.

In 1950, the Wudang Special District was abolished, and Wuhu County came directly under the Southern Anhui Administrative Office.

On February 4, 1952, Wuhu County was transferred to the Wuhu Special District under the Southern Anhui Administrative Office.

On August 27, 1952, the Southern Anhui Administrative Office was abolished, and the Anhui Provincial People's Government was established. Wuhu City's leadership shifted from the Southern Anhui Administrative Office to the Anhui Provincial People's Government, becoming a province-administered city. Wuhu County belonged to the Wuhu Special District. Both the Wuhu Special District and Wuhu County were based in Wuhu City.

In December 1953, the Wuhu City Military Control Commission was abolished.

In April 1955, the Wuhu Municipal People's Government was renamed the Wuhu Municipal People's Committee.

In January 1956, the Wuhu Special District Administration and Huizhou Special District Administration merged, called the Wuhu Special District Administration, based in Wuhu City. In November, the Wuhu Prefectural and Municipal Committees of the Communist Party of China shared offices.

On June 21, 1958, Wuhu City was placed under the leadership of the Wuhu Special District; in November, the prefectural and municipal offices were combined, operating under the name of the Wuhu Special District Administration, directly under Anhui Province.

On February 27, 1958, Yuxikou Town of Hexian was incorporated into Wuhu City. On June 21, Wuhu City was placed under the leadership of the Wuhu Special District. On November 27 of the same year, the special district and city merged, operating under the name of the Wuhu Special District, directly under Anhui Province.

On March 12, 1959, Wuhu County was merged into Wuhu City.

On January 14, 1960, Wuhu City and the Wuhu Special District separated their offices. The city was under dual leadership from the province and the special district.

On April 26, 1961, Wuhu City was directly under Anhui Province. On December 5 of the same year, Wuhu County was re-established, belonging to the Wuhu Special District. The special district and county remained based in Wuhu City.

On July 19, 1965, Wuhu City was transferred to the Wuhu Special District.

On December 1, 1967, the PLA 6408 Unit arrived in Wuhu, and the Wuhu City Military Control Commission was established (abolished on April 1, 1968).

On May 1, 1968, the Wuhu Municipal Revolutionary Committee was established.

In March 1971, Wuhu County relocated its seat to Wanzhi Town. On March 29 of the same year, the Wuhu Special District was renamed the Wuhu Prefecture; both Wuhu City and Wuhu County belonged to Wuhu Prefecture.

On February 25, 1973, Wuhu City was directly under Anhui Province, changing from a prefecture-administered city to a province-administered city.

Nian Guangjiu's 'Fool's Melon Seeds,' founded in the late 1970s, was highlighted by Deng Xiaoping in the early stages of reform and opening-up, becoming a symbolic event marking the awakening of China's private economy during the reform era. On January 29, 1980, Wuhu Prefecture was renamed Xuancheng Prefecture, and its administrative office moved to Xuancheng. Wuhu County was placed under Wuhu City.

In October 1983, Fanchang, Qingyang, and Nanling counties, along with the Jiuhuashan Management Office from Xuancheng Prefecture, were transferred to Wuhu City. The Daqiao Commune from Dangtu was transferred to the suburbs of Wuhu City.

In August 1988, Qingyang County (including the Jiuhuashan Scenic Area) was transferred to Chizhou Prefecture.

On March 30, 1990, Wuhu City abolished the three municipal districts of Yuxikou, Siheshan, and the suburbs. Jiujiang District was established, comprising the former Yuxikou and Siheshan districts, as well as the Daqiao Town, Sishan Township, Guandou Township, Xijiang Township (excluding Tangqiao Village and Xiangdian Village), and Jiujiang Township (excluding Xinjian Village and Yangchang Village) from the former suburbs. Gaolong Village and Zheshan Village from the former suburban Zheshan Township, and Xinjian Village and Yangchang Village from Jiujiang Township were transferred to Jinghu District's jurisdiction. Bujiashan Village, Longqiao Village, Yijishan Village from the former suburban Zheshan Township, and Tangqiao Village and Xiangdian Village from Xijiang Township were transferred to Xinwu District's jurisdiction. Matang Township from the former suburbs, and Tieqiao Village and Aiguo Village from Zheshan Township were transferred to Matang District's jurisdiction. In August of the same year, Lugang Township of Wuhu County was transferred to Wuhu City's Matang District.

In September 2005, the State Council approved Anhui Province's proposal to abolish Wuhu City's Xinwu District and Jinghu District and establish a new Wuhu City Jinghu District. The administrative areas of the former Xinwu District and Jinghu District, along with Jingshan Subdistrict from Jiujiang District and the Guangfu and Liantang neighborhood committees from Wanli Town, were placed under the jurisdiction of the new Jinghu District. Matang District was renamed Yijiang District, and Huolonggang Town of Wuhu County was transferred to Yijiang District's jurisdiction. Wuhu City Sanshan District was established, with Sanshan and Eqiao towns from Fanchang County transferred to Sanshan District's jurisdiction.

In January 2010, upon approval by the Anhui Provincial Government and the Anhui Provincial Department of Civil Affairs, adjustments were made to parts of the administrative divisions of Wuhu City's Sanshan District and Fanchang County. The six administrative villages of Gao'an, Yihe, Jishan, Caoshan, Yumin, and Baixiang, along with Nibu Community, from Fanchang County's Xingang Town were transferred to Sanshan District's jurisdiction, forming Gao'an Subdistrict, and placed under the management of the Wuhu Yangtze River Bridge Comprehensive Economic Development Zone.

In August 2011, the State Council approved Anhui Province's proposal to abolish the prefecture-level Chaohu City. Wuwei County was transferred to Wuhu City's jurisdiction. Shenxiang Town of Hexian was transferred to Wuhu City's Jiujiang District's jurisdiction.In March 2013, with the approval of the Anhui Provincial Government, the Anhui Provincial Department of Civil Affairs approved the adjustment of some administrative divisions between Jiujiang District of Wuhu City and Wuwei County, transferring Erba Town and Tanggou Town from Wuwei County to the jurisdiction of Jiujiang District.

In July 2020, the State Council approved the revocation of Sanshan District and Yijiang District in Wuhu City, Anhui Province, and the establishment of a new Yijiang District in Wuhu City; the revocation of Wuhu County and the establishment of Wanzhi District in Wuhu City; and the revocation of Fanchang County and the establishment of Fanchang District in Wuhu City.

3. Geography

Wuhu has a humid subtropical monsoon climate. It enjoys abundant sunshine, plentiful rainfall, and four distinct seasons. The annual average temperature is 16°C, with approximately 2,000 hours of sunshine, annual precipitation of 1,200 mm, and a frost-free period lasting 219-240 days per year.

The terrain of Wuhu is higher in the southwest and lower in the northeast, presenting a "two-wing" shape. The landforms are diverse, encompassing both plains and hills, with a dense network of rivers and lakes. The Qingyi River, Shuiyang River, Zhang River, and Yuxi River flow through the area, while lakes such as Heisha Lake, Zhusi Lake, Longwo Lake, and Kui Lake are scattered throughout.

The city's total land area is 6,026 square kilometers, of which the urban area covers 720 square kilometers. | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |--------------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|--------|--------|--------|--------|-------|-------|-------|--------| | Record high °C | 23 | 29.4 | 30.7 | 34.4 | 36 | 38.2 | 40.1 | 41 | 38.6 | 33.2 | 29.5 | 22.6 | 41 | | Record high °F | 73.4 | 84.9 | 87.3 | 93.9 | 96.8 | 100.8 | 104.2 | 105.8 | 101.5 | 91.8 | 85.1 | 72.7 | 105.8 | | Average high °C | 7.5 | 9.8 | 14.4 | 21.1 | 26.7 | 29.4 | 32.9 | 32.3 | 28.1 | 22.9 | 16.6 | 10.3 | 21 | | Average high °F | 45.5 | 49.6 | 57.9 | 70 | 80.1 | 84.9 | 91.2 | 90.1 | 82.6 | 73.2 | 61.9 | 50.5 | 69.8 | | Daily mean °C | 3.6 | 5.8 | 10 | 16.4 | 21.9 | 25.4 | 28.9 | 28.2 | 23.9 | 18.4 | 11.9 | 6 | 16.7 | | Daily mean °F | 38.5 | 42.4 | 50 | 61.5 | 71.4 | 77.7 | 84 | 82.8 | 75 | 65.1 | 53.4 | 42.8 | 62 | | Average low °C | 0.8 | 2.7 | 6.5 | 12.4 | 17.9 | 22 | 25.7 | 25.2 | 20.8 | 15 | 8.4 | 2.8 | 13.4 | | Average low °F | 33.4 | 36.9 | 43.7 | 54.3 | 64.2 | 71.6 | 78.3 | 77.4 | 69.4 |59 | 47.1 | 37 | 56 | | Record low °C | −10.8 | −13.1 | −6 | 1.1 | 7.5 | 13.4 | 16.9 | 17.4 | 12.4 | 3.2 | −3.1 | −9.6 | −13.1 | | Record low °F | 12.6 | 8.4 | 21 | 34 | 45.5 | 56.1 | 62.4 | 63.3 | 54.3 | 37.8 | 26.4 | 14.7 | 8.4 | | Average precipitation mm | 59 | 66.2 | 108.5 | 102.5 | 116.7 | 202.5 | 185.7 | 129.7 | 81.4 | 59 | 63 | 36.8 | 1,211 | | Average precipitation inches | 2.32 | 2.61 | 4.27 | 4.04 | 4.59 | 7.97 | 7.31 | 5.11 | 3.2 | 2.32 | 2.48 | 1.45 | 47.67 | | Average precipitation days | 9.7 | 11.5 | 13.7 | 13.8 | 12.3 | 12.7 | 12.8 | 10.6 | 11.2 | 10.1 | 8.2 | 7.5 | 134.1 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 77 | 76 | 75 | 74 | 73 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 79 | 76 | 76 | 74 | 76 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Wuhu City currently administers 5 municipal districts, 1 county, and manages 1 county-level city on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Jinghu District, Jiujiang District, Yijiang District, Wanzhi District, Fanchang District
• County-level City: Wuwei City
• County: Nanling County

Additionally, Wuhu City has established the following administrative management zones: National-level Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone, National-level Wuhu High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Wuhu Comprehensive Bonded Zone, Anhui Jiangbei Industrial Concentration Zone, Anhui Xinwu Economic Development Zone, Anhui Fanchang Economic Development Zone, Anhui Nanling Economic Development Zone, Anhui Wuwei Economic Development Zone (Gaogou Wire and Cable Industrial Park), Anhui Wuhu Jiujiang Economic Development Zone, Anhui Wuhu Sanshan Economic Development Zone (Wuhu Industrial Transfer Undertaking Demonstration Zone).

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | |-------------------|-------------------|-------------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------| | 340200 | Wuhu City | Wúhú Shì | 6,004.97 | 3,644,420 | Jiujiang District | 241000 | 28 | 44 | | 340202 | Jinghu District | Jìnghú Qū | 114.82 | 478,658 | Zhangjiashan Subdistrict | 241000 | 10 | | | 340207 | Jiujiang District | Jiūjiāng Qū | 870.65 | 721,521 | Guandou Subdistrict | 241000 | 7 | 4 | | 340209 | Yijiang District | Yìjiāng Qū | 505.18 | 607,173 | Zhongnan Subdistrict | 241000 | 11 | 1 | | 340210 | Wanzhi District | Wānzhǐ Qū | 649.53 | 344,016 | Wanzhi Town | 241100 | | 5 | | 340212 | Fanchang District | Fánchāng Qū | 584.28 | 243,907 | Fanyang Town | 241200 | | 6 | | 340223 | Nanling County | Nánlíng Xiàn | 1,259.53 | 431,148 | Jishan Town | 242400 | | 8 | | 340281 | Wuwei City | Wúwéi Shì | 2,020.98 | 817,997 | Wucheng Town | 238300 | | 20 |

5. Economy

Historically, Wuhu has long been an important river port along the Yangtze River and served as a key transit base for Huizhou merchants in foreign trade. After its opening as a treaty port in 1876, the British and Japanese established international settlements along the river in Wuhu, such as the Taikoo Wharf built by the British. Today, Wuhu is the last deep-water port upstream on the Yangtze River and ranks as the fourth-largest port along its banks. The Yuxikou Port on the north (west) bank of the Yangtze is the largest inland coal port in China, serving as a distribution hub for coal from the Huainan and Huaibei regions of Anhui, as well as from Shanxi, Henan, and Shandong provinces. The Zhujiaqiao Wharf on the south (east) bank can accommodate oceangoing cargo ships of up to 10,000 tons.

According to 2016 statistics, Wuhu's GDP ranked second in Anhui Province, with its GDP growth rate topping all cities in the province. Its per capita GDP also ranked second in Anhui.

The industry is primarily focused on light textiles, with major products including down products, machine-made paperboard, sewing machines, micro-motors, and picture tubes. Traditional high-quality products include thermos bottles, bed sheets, leather shoes, bristles, handicrafts, down clothing, silk, and hurricane lanterns. In recent years, the automotive manufacturing industry has seen significant development, with Chery Automobile headquartered in the city. Heavy industry is represented by the Conch Group (formerly the Baimashan Cement Plant) located at Baimashan in the southern part of the urban area.

The "Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone," located in the eastern and northern parts of the city, is a national-level economic and technological development zone approved by the State Council in April 1993. It is the first national-level economic and technological development zone in Anhui Province, with the automotive and parts industry, electronics and appliances industry, and new materials industry serving as its three pillar industries.

Agriculture thrives with abundant production of rice, wheat, corn, and other crops, making it historically the leading city among the "Four Great Rice Markets."

Mineral resources include iron, copper, lead, zinc, fluorite, and porcelain clay.

Local specialties include the "Three Knives" (kitchen knife, scissors, and razor), the "Three Paintings" (iron painting, lacquer relief painting, and rice-paper plant painting), the "Four Fish" (reeves shad, long-tailed anchovy, mandarin fish, and ricefield eel), and hairy crabs. "Fool's Melon Seeds" are also renowned nationwide.

The rolling hills and scattered karst caves in the Xishan area of Nanling County serve as an important production base for medicinal peonies in China, earning it the reputation as the "Hometown of Peonies in Jiangnan."

Opened in 2008, Wuhu Fantawild Adventure is the largest fourth-generation theme park in China and has become the second most popular tourist destination in Anhui Province, second only to the Huangshan Scenic Area.

6. Transportation

6.1 Railway

Wuhu is a junction for several major railway lines, including the Nanjing-Tongling Railway, Tongling-Jiujiang Railway, Anhui-Jiangxi Railway, Xuancheng-Hangzhou Railway, Huainan Railway, Nanjing-Anqing Intercity Railway, Beijing-Fuzhou High-Speed Railway, and Shangqiu-Hangzhou High-Speed Passenger Dedicated Line. Each county-level administrative district has a station along high-speed lines: Wuhu Station in Jinghu District, Wuhu South Station in Yijiang District, Wuhu North Station in Jiujiang District, Wuwei Station in Wuwei City, Fanchang West Station in Fanchang District, Wanzhi South Station in Wanzhi District, and Nanling Station in Nanling County.

6.2 Highway

The 0-kilometer starting point of National Highway 236 is located here. National Highways 205 and 318 pass through the area. Expressways such as G4211 Nanjing-Wuhu Expressway, G5011 Wuhu-Hefei Expressway, G50 Wuhu-Xuancheng Expressway, G50 Wuhu-Datong Expressway, S28 Liyang-Wuhu Expressway (Anhui section), and S32 Xuancheng-Tongling Expressway have been completed. The Northern Riverside Expressway and the Yangtze River Second Bridge Connection Expressway are under construction. The Wuhu Yangtze River Bridge, completed in 2000, is currently one of the longest combined road-rail bridges in China. The Wuhu Yangtze River Second Bridge commenced construction on June 28, 2013, and opened to traffic on December 30, 2017. The Wuhu Yangtze River Third Bridge carries a dual eight-lane urban expressway, 2 tracks of high-speed railway (Shangqiu-Hangzhou High-Speed Passenger Dedicated Line), and 2 tracks of municipal rail transit lines, with a navigational clearance height of no less than 32 meters. Its railway bridge opened for operation on June 28, 2020, and its road bridge opened on September 29, 2020.

6.3 Water Transport

Wuhu Port is the fourth largest port along the Yangtze River and a foreign trade hub port of Anhui Province. Yuxikou Port is China's first mechanized inland river coal port, and Zhujiaqiao Foreign Trade Terminal is the first foreign trade terminal in Anhui Province.

6.4 Aviation

Currently, air transportation primarily relies on the nearby Nanjing Lukou International Airport and the domestic regional Wuhu Xuancheng Airport.

6.5 Urban Public Transportation

6.5.1 Rail Transit

Wuhu Rail Transit Line 1 and Line 2 (both utilizing straddle-type monorail systems) commenced construction at the end of 2016 and opened on November 3, 2021.

6.5.2 Public Bicycles

Wuhu's public bicycle system began operation in September 2012 and ceased operation on September 27, 2022.

7. Education

By the end of 2007, there were 11 regular institutions of higher education, with 4,200 full-time teachers, 112,400 enrolled students, 34,300 new admissions, and 24,800 graduates. There were 124 regular secondary schools, with 7,100 full-time teachers and 143,400 enrolled students; 21 secondary vocational schools, with 25,500 enrolled students; 272 primary schools, with 7,500 full-time teachers and 133,700 enrolled students; and 309 kindergartens, with 36,600 children enrolled. The enrollment rate for primary school-age children was 100%, and the enrollment rate for the appropriate age group in junior secondary schools was 100%.

7.1 Institutions of Higher Education

• Anhui Normal University
• Anhui Polytechnic University
• Wannan Medical College
• Wuhu Institute of Technology
• Anhui Institute of Information Technology
• Wanjiang College, Anhui Normal University
• Wuhu College of Information Technology
• Wuhu Radio and Television University
• Anhui Business College of Vocational Technology
• Anhui Technical College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
• Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Anhui Yangtze Vocational College
• Wuhu Technician College

7.2 Secondary Schools

• Wuhu No.1 Middle School
• The Affiliated High School of Anhui Normal University
• Wuhu No.12 Middle School
• Wuhu Tianjiabing Experimental Middle School
• Wuhu No.2 Middle School
• Wuhu No.3 Middle School
• Wuhu No.11 Middle School
• Wuhu No.24 Middle School
• Nanling County No.1 Middle School
• Wuhu County No.1 Middle School
• Fanchang County No.1 Middle School
• Wuhu No.7 Middle School
• Wuhu No.33 Middle School
• Wuwei City: Anhui Wuwei Middle School, Anhui Wuwei No.1 Middle School, Anhui Wuwei Xiang'an Middle School

8. Population

By the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 3.731 million, an increase of 59,000 compared to the end of the previous year. The urbanization rate of the permanent resident population reached 73.55%, up by 0.56 percentage points.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 3,644,420. Compared with the 3,545,067 people recorded in the Sixth National Population Census, the population increased by 99,353 over the ten-year period, representing a growth rate of 2.8% and an average annual growth rate of 0.28%. Among them, the male population was 1,868,742, accounting for 51.28% of the total population, while the female population was 1,775,678, accounting for 48.72%. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 105.24. The population aged 0–14 was 529,760, accounting for 14.54% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 2,375,008, accounting for 65.17% of the total population; and the population aged 60 and above was 739,652, accounting for 20.3% of the total population, among which those aged 65 and above numbered 587,205, accounting for 16.11%. The urban population was 2,635,348, accounting for 72.31% of the total population, while the rural population was 1,009,072, accounting for 27.69%.

8.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group numbered 3,624,582, accounting for 99.46%, while ethnic minorities numbered 19,838, accounting for 0.54%.

9. Religious Architecture

9.1 Buddhism

Zheshan Guangji Temple: Known as "Little Jiuhua." Like Mount Jiuhua, it was once a sacred site of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

9.2 Protestantism

St. James’ Church at Anhui Normal University Affiliated Foreign Language School (originally part of the American Episcopal Church)

9.3 Catholicism

Former Wuhu Diocese Cathedral on Jihe Street: The second-largest Catholic church in the Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Anhui regions (originally evangelized by the Jesuits), second only to Shanghai’s Xujiahui Cathedral.

10. Culture

10.1 Media

10.1.1 Television

Wuhu Television Station, established in the 1970s, is now part of the Wuhu Media Group. It operates four channels: News & General, Lifestyle, Public, and Education. Digital television signals have been gradually promoted since 2006. Six provincial channels, including Anhui Satellite TV, are also available in Wuhu.

10.1.2 Radio

The Wuhu Radio and Television Center operates three frequencies: News, Traffic, and Music Stories. Some radio channels from Nanjing and Hefei can also be received in the Wuhu area.

10.1.3 Newspapers

Wuhu Daily is the official newspaper of the Wuhu Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China. The Wuhu Media Group's Wuhu Daily Press also publishes a metropolitan newspaper, Dajiang Evening News. Nanjing-based newspapers such as Yangtze Evening Post and Modern Express also have a significant fixed readership in Wuhu. Online Forums: The government-run Citizens' Voice website and the private Wuhu Forum.

10.2 Local Culture

Although located in Anhui Province, the Wuhu urban dialect (Wuhu Hua) is very similar to Old Nanjing dialect, sharing common local slang and retaining some Wu vocabulary and usage. The dialects in some suburban towns and in Fanchang County, Nanling County, and Wuhu County belong to the Xuanzhou subgroup of Wu Chinese. However, the urban Wuhu dialect is also commonly used in the county towns of these three counties.

10.3 Other

The forging technique of Wuhu Iron Paintings has been included in China's first national list of intangible cultural heritage, approved by the State Council. Discoveries related to the "Renzidong" site in Fanchang County indicate that ancient human activities existed in the Yangtze River basin as early as the early Early Pleistocene, approximately 2 to 2.4 million years ago.

11. Sister Cities

Wuhu has established sister city relationships with 4 cities in 4 countries: Kochi City, Japan Pavia, Italy Adoz, Spain Sicklerville, United States

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Jiu Jiang District

Wuwei City

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Camphor tree, Weeping willow

Rose, Chrysanthemum