Xianning (咸宁)

1. Introduction

Xianning City is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province of the People's Republic of China. Located in the southeastern part of Hubei, it is known as the "Southern Gateway of Hubei." The city covers a total area of 9,751.53 square kilometers, with an urban area of 165 square kilometers. It has a registered population of 3.0361 million and an urban population of 657,600. Historically, Xianning was long part of Wuchang Prefecture. It became an administrative entity in 1965 with the establishment of Xianning Prefecture. In 1998, the prefecture was abolished and replaced by Xianning City, which is now a member of the Wuhan Metropolitan Area. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 16 Shuanghe Road, Xian'an District.

Xianning City is situated on the southern bank of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and holds the title of "City of Hot Springs in China." Its terrain is predominantly hilly, with the northwestern plain area densely dotted with rivers and lakes. In 2017, the city received 57.3 million tourists. Osmanthus flowers and brick tea are distinctive agricultural products of Xianning.

2. Etymology

In the 13th year of the Baoda era of the Southern Tang dynasty (955 AD), Yong'an County was established. In the 4th year of the Jingde era of the Northern Song dynasty (1007 AD), to avoid the taboo of the Yong'an Mausoleum of Emperor Taizu of Song, and because the phrase "all nations are at peace" (万国咸宁) from the I Ching (Book of Changes) is synonymous with "Yong'an" (永安), the name was changed to Xianning County.

3. History

3.1 Administrative Evolution

3.1.1 Spring and Autumn Period to Southern Dynasties

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the Xianning area was under the jurisdiction of the State of Chu. After the State of Qin annexed Chu, the Chu territories were divided into four commanderies, and the Xianning area belonged to Nan Commandery.

In the fifth year of Emperor Gaozu of the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC), Xia Zhi County was established, subordinate to Hengshan Commandery of the Jingzhou Inspectorate, with the Tongshan area falling under Xia Zhi County. In the sixth year of Emperor Gaozu (201 BC), Sha Yi County was established, subordinate to Nan Commandery of Jingzhou, encompassing the areas of Xian'an, Jiayu, and Chibi; Xia Jun County was established, subordinate to Nan Commandery of Jingzhou, encompassing the areas of Tongcheng and Chongyang. In the second year of Emperor Jing (156 BC), Xia Jun County was transferred to the Changsha Kingdom. In the second year of the Yuanshou era (121 BC), the eastern part of Nan Commandery and the western part of Hengshan Commandery were merged to establish Jiangxia Commandery, and Xia Zhi County and Sha Yi County were transferred to Jiangxia Commandery. In the fifteenth year of the Jian'an era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (210 AD), Xia Jun County was transferred to the newly established Hanchang Commandery, and later in the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an (219 AD), it returned to Changsha Commandery. In the nineteenth year of Jian'an (214 AD), Xia Zhi County was transferred to Xiling Commandery. In the twenty-eighth year of Jian'an (223 AD), the southwestern part of Sha Yi County was separated to establish Puqi County, which belonged to Changsha Commandery. Sha Yi County was abolished in the third year of the Wufeng era of Eastern Wu (256 AD), and Puqi County was also abolished in the final years of Eastern Wu.

In the first year of the Taikang era of the Western Jin Dynasty (280 AD), part of Jiangxia Commandery was separated to establish Wuchang Commandery. Sha Yi County was re-established, subordinate to Wuchang Commandery, and Puqi County was re-established, subordinate to Changsha Commandery. During the Yuan Kang era of the Western Jin Dynasty, Wuchang Commandery, which was part of Jingzhou, was transferred to Jiangzhou, and Sha Yi County was consequently incorporated into the Jiangzhou region. During the reign of Emperor An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (382–419 AD), Sha Yi County was renamed Shayang County, and Xia Zhi County was abolished and merged into Yangxin County (both subordinate to Wuchang Commandery). In the late Eastern Jin Dynasty, refugees from Runan Commandery settled in Xiakou. In the third year of the Taiyuan era (378 AD), part of Sha Yi County's territory was used to establish the "qiaoxian" (émigré county) Runan County, subordinate to Jiangxia Commandery.

In the third year of the Yongchu era of the Liu Song dynasty (Southern Dynasties) (422 AD), Changsha Commandery was transferred to the newly established Xiangzhou. In the sixteenth year of the Yuanjia era (439 AD), Shayang County was transferred from Wuchang Commandery to Baling Commandery (part of Xiangzhou), and Puqi County and Xia Jun County were transferred from Changsha Commandery to Baling Commandery. In the first year of the Xiaojian era (454 AD), Shayang County and Puqi County were transferred to Jiangxia Commandery. Yingzhou was newly established, with Jiangxia Commandery transferred from Jingzhou to Yingzhou, and Wuchang Commandery transferred from Jiangzhou to Yingzhou. In the fifth year of the Datong era of the Liang dynasty (539 AD), Puqi County and Xia Jun County were transferred to Shangjun Commandery. Simultaneously, Lehua County was separated from Xia Jun County and also belonged to Shangjun Commandery. In the third year of the Chengsheng era (554 AD), Shangjun Commandery was elevated to Junzhou, with its administrative seat located at Xia Jun County. In the third year of the Chengsheng era of Liang (554 AD), the former Shayang County was renamed Shazhou. In the early years of the Chen dynasty (Southern Dynasties) (around 557 AD), Shazhou was abolished and restored as Shayang County, transferred to Junzhou. In the first year of the Tianjia era of Chen (560 AD), Junzhou was renamed Shangjun Commandery, subordinate to Yingzhou.

By this point, the Xianning area entirely belonged to Yingzhou, divided among six counties under three commanderies: Yangxin County of Wuchang Commandery; Shayang County, Puqi County, Xia Jun County, and Lehua County of Shangjun Commandery; and Runan County of Jiangxia Commandery. Among these, the county seat of Shayang County was located in present-day Jiayu County, the county seat of Puqi County was in present-day Chibi City, and the county seats of Xia Jun County and Lehua County were in present-day Tongcheng County.

3.1.2 Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties

In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era (589 AD), the Sui dynasty conquered Chen and renamed Yingzhou as Ezhou, abolishing all commanderies formerly under Yingzhou. Simultaneously, Yangxin County was renamed Fuchuan County; Shayang County, Lehua County, and Xia Jun County were merged into Puqi County; and Runan County was renamed Jiangxia County. Fuchuan County was renamed Yongxing County in the eighteenth year of Kaihuang (598 AD). In the third year of the Daye era (607 AD), Emperor Yang of Sui changed all "zhou" (provinces) to "jun" (commanderies) nationwide, and Ezhou became Jiangxia Commandery.

After the establishment of the Tang dynasty, in the first year of the Wude era (618 AD), Jiangxia Commandery was changed back to Ezhou. In the first year of the Tianbao era (742 AD), it was again renamed Jiangxia Commandery, and in the first year of the Qianyuan era (758 AD), it was restored as Ezhou. In the early Tang period, it belonged to Jiangnan West Circuit. In the later period, as regional military governors grew powerful, Ezhou came under the jurisdiction of the Wuchang Military Governor. In the second year of Tianbao (743 AD), the southern part of Puqi County was separated to establish Tangnian County.

Entering the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the Xianning jurisdiction successively belonged to the Southern Wu and Southern Tang regimes. In the seventh year of the Shunyi era of Southern Wu (927 AD), Tangnian County was renamed Chongyang County. In the first year of the Shengyuan era of Southern Tang (937 AD), it was restored as Tangnian County. In the eleventh year of the Baoda era of Southern Tang (953 AD), the northern part of Puqi County was separated to establish Jiayu County. In the twelfth year of Baoda (954 AD), the southern part of Jiangxia County was separated to form Yong'an County. In the sixth year of the Xiande era of Southern Tang (959 AD), the western part of Yongxing County was separated to establish Tongshan County.

By this point, the Xianning area was divided among five counties under Ezhou: Puqi County, Tangnian County, Jiayu County, Yong'an County, and Tongshan County.

3.1.3 Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

In the eighth year of the Kaibao era of the Northern Song Dynasty (975 AD), Tangnian County was renamed Chongyang County. In the second year of the Taiping Xingguo era (977 AD), Tongshan County was transferred to the newly established Yongxing Army (renamed Xingguo Army the following year), subordinate to Jiangnan West Circuit. In the third year of Taiping Xingguo (978 AD), Tongshan County was downgraded to a town but was soon restored as a county. In the fourth year of the Jingde era (1007 AD), Yong'an County was renamed Xianning County. In the fifth year of the Xining era (1072 AD), the southern part of Chongyang County was separated to establish Tongcheng County. In the fourth year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1134 AD), Tongshan County was again downgraded to a town but was restored as a county the following year. In the fifth year of Shaoxing (1135 AD), Tongcheng County was merged into Chongyang County, and was separated again in the fifteenth year of Shaoxing (1145 AD). During the Song dynasties, the five counties of Xianning, Jiayu, Puqi, Chongyang, and Tongcheng belonged to Ezhou of Jinghu North Circuit, while Tongshan County belonged to Xingguo Army of Jiangnan West Circuit.

During the Yuan dynasty, the five counties of Xianning, Jiayu, Puqi, Chongyang, and Tongcheng belonged to Wuchang Route (Wuchang Route was the renamed Ezhou Route) of the Huguang Branch Secretariat; Tongshan County belonged to Xingguo Route of the Huguang Branch Secretariat.

During the Ming dynasty, the five counties of Xianning, Jiayu, Puqi, Chongyang, and Tongcheng belonged to Wuchang Prefecture of the Huguang Provincial Administration Commission; Tongshan County belonged to Xingguo Subprefecture of the Huguang Provincial Administration Commission. Between the thirteenth year of the Chenghua era (1477 AD) and the sixteenth year of the Zhengde era (1521 AD), Jiayu County was once the fief of the Prince of Shayang.

During the Qing dynasty, Xingguo Subprefecture was downgraded to a "san zhou" (ordinary subprefecture), and Tongshan County came under the jurisdiction of Wuchang Prefecture. By this point, the six counties of Xianning, Jiayu, Puqi, Chongyang, Tongcheng, and Tongshan all belonged to Wuchang Prefecture of Hubei Province.

3.1.4 Republic of China

After the Xinhai Revolution, the "prefecture" system was abolished. On January 17, 1912 (Year 2 of the Republic), the Wuhan Huangde Circuit was established, soon renamed the Eastern Hubei Circuit, incorporating the six Xianning counties into its jurisdiction. On May 23, 1913 (Year 3 of the Republic), it was renamed the Jianghan Circuit, which was abolished in 1926 (Year 15 of the Republic). In 1932 (Year 21 of the Republic), Hubei Province was divided into eleven Administrative Inspection Districts. The six Xianning counties belonged to the First District, with the district commissioner's office stationed in Puqi County, moving to Xianning County after the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan. After the first Kuomintang-Communist cooperation broke down in 1927 (Year 16 of the Republic), the Communist Party established several Soviet county governments in the six Xianning counties, led by the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi Provincial Soviet Government, coexisting with the Nationalist county governments. From 1932 to 1935, during the first phase of the Chinese Civil War, the Soviet areas were suppressed by the Kuomintang, the Communist Party lost large areas, and the various Soviet governments ceased activities. During the Japanese occupation in the War of Resistance, the six Xianning counties all established puppet county governments, subordinate to the puppet Hubei Provincial Government of Wang Jingwei's regime. The Communist Party established several anti-Japanese democratic regimes behind enemy lines: the Chong (yang) Tong (cheng) Tong (shan) County Anti-Japanese Democratic Government, the Jinshui River Basin Anti-Japanese Democratic Government, the Jia-Pu-Lin County Anti-Japanese Democratic Government, etc. After the victory in the War of Resistance, the New Fourth Army moved to the Dabie Mountains, and the anti-Japanese democratic governments were subsequently dissolved.

3.1.5 People's Republic of China

In mid-1949, after the People's Liberation Army entered the Xianning area, people's governments were established in each county: Xianning County (June 14), Jiayu County (June), Puqi County (May 25), Chongyang County (June 15), Tongcheng County (June 16), and Tongshan County (June 10). Initially, the four counties of Xianning, Chongyang, Tongcheng, and Tongshan belonged to the Daye Special District, while Jiayu and Puqi counties belonged to the Mianyang Special District. In July 1951, the Mianyang Special District was abolished, and Jiayu and Puqi counties were transferred to the Daye Special District. In 1952, the Daye Special District was abolished, and the Xianning counties were transferred to the Xiaogan Special District. In October 1958, Xianning County was merged into Puqi County, but they were separated in February 1959. In November 1958, Tongshan County and Tongcheng County were merged into Chongyang County, with Tongshan County separating in March 1959. In November 1959, the Xiaogan Special District was abolished, and the Xianning counties were placed under Wuhan City. In April 1960, Jiayu County was merged into Wuchang County. In May 1960, Puqi County was merged into Xianning County. In May 1961, the Xiaogan Special District was restored, and the Xianning counties were transferred back to Xiaogan. In November 1961, Xianning and Puqi were separated, and Jiayu and Wuchang were separated. In December 1961, Tongcheng and Chongyang were separated.On July 19, 1965, the State Council approved through document [65] Guoneizi No. 280 the establishment of the Xianning Administrative Commissioner's Office, located in Xianning County. The Xianning Prefecture administered nine counties: Xianning, Wuchang, Chongyang, Jiayu, Puqi, Tongshan, Tongcheng, Echeng, and Yangxin. Starting from the establishment of the Xianning Regional Revolutionary Committee in 1968, "Xianning Prefecture" was renamed Xianning Region. In November 1975, Wuchang County was transferred back to Wuhan City. In November 1979, the urban area and Shishan of Echeng County were designated as Echeng City. In December of the same year, Echeng County and Echeng City were transferred to the Huanggang Region. On August 19, 1983, the State Council approved the conversion of Xianning County into Xianning City (county-level), administered by Xianning Region. On May 27, 1986, the State Council approved the conversion of Puqi County into Puqi City (county-level), administered by Xianning Region. In December 1996, Yangxin County was transferred to Huangshi City. On June 11, 1998, the State Council approved the renaming of Puqi City to Chibi City. On December 6, 1998, the State Council issued document Guohan [1998] No. 103, approving the abolition of Xianning Region and the establishment of the prefecture-level Xianning City. The administrative area of the former county-level Xianning City was designated as Xian'an District. Xianning City administered the former Xianning Region's counties of Jiayu, Tongcheng, Chongyang, Tongshan, and the newly established Xian'an District. Chibi City was placed under the direct jurisdiction of the province. On December 22, the Hubei Provincial People's Government approved that Chibi City be administered by Xianning City.

3.2 Historical Events

3.2.1 Ancient Times

As early as the Neolithic Age, the Xianning area was already inhabited by humans. The Yaojialin site in Tongcheng County reveals cultural relics dating back five thousand years. The early remains at Yaojialin are similar to the Majiabang culture of the lower Yangtze River, while the late remains are primarily from the Shijiahe culture of the Jianghan region, with elements of the Jiangxi Shanbei culture. The late period corresponds culturally to the Longshan period in the Yellow River region. After entering the civilized era, an ancient city (Xindian Tucheng site) appeared southwest of present-day Chibi City. Archaeological results indicate that the city existed from the early Warring States period to the late Western Han Dynasty. During the Warring States period, the city was a local settlement of the Chu State, inhabited by residents of different statuses, possibly including middle and lower-ranking nobles. To strengthen the management and control of the remnants in the core Chu region, the Han Dynasty built a new city on the site of the former Chu city. Xindian Tucheng may have been the location of a county-level administrative institution established by the central government in southeastern Hubei and northeastern Hunan. During the Warring States period, there was another ancient city in present-day Tiepu Village, Xiangyanghu Town, Xian'an District, known as the Sunguohu city site, which served as a military outpost established by the Chu State in southeastern Hubei.

In the twelfth month of the fourth year of the Jian'an era (199 AD) during the Eastern Han Dynasty, Sun Ce, leading Zhou Yu, Lü Meng, Cheng Pu, Sun Quan, Han Dang, and Huang Gai, attacked his enemy Huang Zu, the Grand Administrator of Jiangxia Commandery, on a sandbar in the Shaxi River (present-day Jiayu County). Huang Zu suffered a major defeat. In the latter part of the thirteenth year of the Jian'an era (208 AD), the Battle of Red Cliffs erupted in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Ultimately, the allied forces of Sun and Liu achieved a decisive victory, and Cao Cao's army retreated north in disarray, marking the beginning of the "Three Kingdoms" period. The mainstream view holds that the ancient battlefield of Red Cliffs is located at Chibi Mountain in present-day Chibi City, though some argue that the main battlefield should be Chiji Mountain in Wuhan.

During the late Ming peasant uprisings, Zhang Xianzhong established the Daxi regime in Wuchang. In the sixteenth year of the Chongzhen era (1643 AD), he captured the county seats of Jiayu, Puqi, and Tongcheng. After Zhang Xianzhong's forces withdrew, these counties came under the control of the Southern Ming regime. In the second month of the second year of the Yongchang era (1645 AD) of the Shun dynasty, Li Zicheng, defeated in battle, moved south and captured the county seats of Puqi and Tongcheng. On the fourth day of the fifth month, while Li Zicheng was lightly riding up Jiugong Mountain in Tongcheng County, he was ambushed by the local militia led by landlord Cheng Jiubo and was killed in battle.

On January 20, the twenty-second year of the Daoguang era (1842 AD) during the Qing Dynasty, Zhong Renjie, a failed scholar from Chongyang County, led a rebellion of three thousand people. On the 22nd, they captured the county seat of Chongyang, raised the banner of "Grand Marshal," and aimed to capture Wuchang. The Qing court dispatched troops from Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi to suppress the rebellion, which was quelled on March 3, lasting 43 days. This uprising was the first anti-Qing peasant rebellion in modern Chinese history, historically known as the "Zhong Renjie Rebellion."

During the Taiping Rebellion, the Xianning area was also affected by warfare. Between the third year (1853 AD) and the eleventh year (1861 AD) of the Xianfeng era, the Taiping Army captured the county seat of Tongshan twice, the county seats of Chongyang and Jiayu four times each, the county seat of Puqi five times, the county seat of Xianning seven times, and the county seat of Tongcheng ten times.

3.2.2 Modern Era

In July of the 10th year of the Republic of China (1921 AD), Jiang Zuobin contacted Tan Yankai, the Military Governor of Hunan, who sent Zhao Hengti to lead troops into Hubei to expel Wang Zhanyuan, the Military Governor of Hubei, sparking the Hunan-Hubei War. On August 4, the right-wing Hunan Army occupied Tongcheng, Tongshan, and Chongyang; on the 7th, the central Hunan Army occupied Puqi; on the 8th, they occupied Jiayu; and on the 9th, they occupied Tingsiqiao in Xianning. On August 9, President Xu Shichang ordered the dismissal of Wang Zhanyuan from his positions as Inspector-General of Hunan and Hubei and Military Governor of Hubei, marking the end of the Hunan-Hubei War.

In the 15th year of the Republic of China (1926 AD), the Northern Expedition began. On August 22, the Fourth Army captured Tongcheng; on the 23rd, they occupied Puqi; and on the 24th, they captured Chongyang. From August 25 to 27, approximately 16,000 National Revolutionary Army troops attacked Wu Peifu's forces of about 20,000 at Tingsiqiao in Xianning. This was the Battle of Tingsiqiao, in which the Northern Expeditionary Army emerged victorious, shattering Wu Peifu's myth that "the natural barrier of Tingsiqiao is impregnable." On the 28th, they captured the county seat of Xianning, and on the 31st, they defeated Wu Peifu's main forces in the Battle of Heshengqiao.

At the end of August in the 16th year of the Republic of China (1927 AD), the Autumn Harvest Uprising in Southern Hubei broke out. The Southern Hubei Special Committee of the Chinese Communist Party led peasant armies to attack the county seats of Tongshan, Xianning, Puqi, Jiayu, Tongcheng, and Chongyang. However, except for Tongshan, none of the other cities were captured, and the uprising was later suppressed by Xia Douyin's Nationalist forces. During the First Chinese Civil War, the Xianning area was one of the regions where the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army's Fifth Army conducted guerrilla warfare in the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi Soviet Area. The Red Army occupied Chongyang County twice in 1929 and 1930, and Tongcheng County twice in 1930.

In the 34th year of the Republic of China (1945 AD), after Japan's surrender, the counties were successively recovered.

On May 14, the 38th year of the Republic of China (1949 AD), the Twelfth Corps of the Fourth Field Army of the People's Liberation Army crossed the Yangtze River at Tuanfeng and Qichun, then split into two routes. Xiao Jinguang's forces advanced west to encircle Wuhan, while Han Xianchu's forces attacked Xianning from the directions of Jinniu and Heshengqiao. On the 16th, the 120th Division of the 40th Army occupied Xianning; on the 17th, the 514th Regiment of the 172nd Division of the 58th Army occupied Tongshan; on the 23rd, the 358th Regiment of the 120th Division of the 40th Army entered Chongyang and subsequently advanced into Tongcheng; on the 25th, the Mian East Command of the PLA ordered the former Nationalist 19th Corps (units that had defected during Zhang Zhen's Jinkou Uprising on May 15) to enter Jiayu; on the 25th, the vanguard units of the 119th Division of the PLA entered Puqi.

4. Geography

4.1 Location and Area

Xianning City is located in the southeastern part of Hubei Province, on the southern bank of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, at the junction of the three provinces of Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi. It is known as the "Southern Gateway of Hubei." Xianning City borders Wuhan City to the north, Huangshi City to the east, faces Jingzhou City across the Yangtze River to the west, and neighbors Jiujiang City in Jiangxi Province and Yueyang City in Hunan Province to the south. It lies between 113°32′–114°58′ east longitude and 29°02′–30°17′ north latitude. The road distance from the city proper is 86.5 kilometers to downtown Wuhan, 107 kilometers to downtown Huangshi, 240 kilometers to downtown Jingzhou, 152 kilometers to downtown Yueyang, and 241 kilometers to downtown Jiujiang.

According to the Xianning City Land Use Master Plan (2006-2020), the total area of Xianning City is 9,751.53 square kilometers (based on the second national land survey data). The area recorded in the Xianning City Annals 1965-2005 and Xianning Yearbook is 9,861 square kilometers. The area entered in the People's Republic of China Administrative Divisions Handbook is 10,019 square kilometers. The total area recorded in the Xianning Statistical Yearbook is 10,033 square kilometers, and the total area recorded in the Hubei Statistical Yearbook is 10,049 square kilometers.

4.2 Topography and Landforms

Xianning City is predominantly characterized by hilly terrain, which accounts for 55.8% of its total area, followed by mountainous areas at 27.8% and plains at 16.4%. It belongs to the transitional zone from the Jianghan Plain to the Jiangnan Hills. From northwest to southeast, the main features are: the Chibi–Xian'an lakeside alluvial plain; the Chongyang Fangshan–Xian'an Damu Mountain low mountain and hill area; the Tongcheng–Chongyang–Tongshan basin; and the Mufu Mountain–Jiugong Mountain erosional structural mid-mountain and hill area. The highest point within the city is Laoya Jian on Jiugong Mountain in Tongshan County, with an elevation of 1,656 meters. The plains in the northwestern part of Xianning are part of the Jianghan Plain, with elevations ranging from 23 to 280 meters. The shallow subsurface of the Wenquan urban area consists locally of Tertiary limestone conglomerate, with developed karst features and relatively abundant groundwater.

4.3 Geology

The geotectonic setting of Xianning City belongs to the continental margin-type miogeosyncline in the southern part of the Yangtze Block. In the early Paleozoic, after the disintegration of the ancient Sino-Korean Platform, the Yangtze Paraplatform formed. The Indosinian movement at the end of the Middle Triassic initiated the transformation of the Yangtze Paraplatform into a platform fold belt. The Yanshanian movement during the Jurassic period further complicated the platform fold belt. In the Mufu Mountain area of Xianning, crustal anatexis led to the emplacement of anatectic granite. By the end of the Jurassic, the basic tectonic framework of present-day Xianning City had taken shape. Entering the Neogene period, block faulting significantly weakened, mountains experienced gentle uplift, and the terrain within basins was planated, receiving mantle-like deposits dominated by fluvial-lacustrine facies. By the Quaternary period, the modern natural geographical landscape was essentially reflected.

Xianning City is located within three fourth-order tectonic units of the Daye Platform Fold Belt in the middle segment of the Yangtze Paraplatform: the Liangzi Lake Depression, the Xianning Platform Fold Bundle, and the Tongshan Platform Fold Bundle. Stratigraphically, it belongs to the Lower Yangtze Stratigraphic Subregion and the Jiangnan Stratigraphic Subregion of the Yangtze Stratigraphic Region, with strata from the Mesoproterozoic to the Quaternary exposed. Lithology is dominated by magmatic rocks, followed by metamorphic rocks. The city has three major fault zones trending nearly east-west, northeast, and northwest, which control the development of strata from different periods, structural deformation, magmatic activity, and mineralization within the region.

4.4 Water Systems

The entire territory of Xianning belongs to the Yangtze River system. The main stem of the Yangtze River flows through the northwestern part of Xianning City, serving as the boundary river between Xianning City and Jingzhou City and (partially) Wuhan City. Xianning City has a 138-kilometer-long Yangtze River section. Xianning is densely covered with rivers and lakes, with 246 rivers and 19 lakes citywide, primarily belonging to the Fushui, Lushui, and Ganshui river basins. The main stem of the Ganshui River also flows through the Xianning urban area. Major lakes include Xiliang Lake, Futou Lake, Miquan Lake, Dayan Lake, and Huanggai Lake. Additionally, Xianning has 5 large reservoirs and 18 medium-sized reservoirs. The five large reservoirs are the Fushui Reservoir, Lushui Reservoir, Qingshan Reservoir, Nanchuan Reservoir, and Sanhu Lianjiang Reservoir.

According to 2011 data, Xianning City's total annual water resources amounted to 6.501 billion cubic meters (surface and groundwater not double-counted), with surface water resources of 6.278 billion cubic meters and groundwater resources of 1.338 billion cubic meters. Additionally, the total storage capacity of large and medium-sized reservoirs was 800.10 million cubic meters (excluding Sanhu Lianjiang Reservoir). Xianning City is rich in hot spring resources, with four sites suitable for development and utilization: the Qianshan Hot Spring in the Wenquan urban area, Chibi's Wuhong Mountain, Jiayu's Shewu Mountain, and Chongyang's Langkou Hot Spring. The Qianshan Hot Spring is a medium-sized geothermal field with over a dozen spring groups, with water temperatures ranging from 42 to 53°C.

4.5 Climate

Xianning City has a subtropical humid continental monsoon climate, characterized by mild temperatures, abundant precipitation, ample sunshine, four distinct seasons, concurrent rain and heat, and a long frost-free period. Winter is dominated by northerly winds, being dry and relatively cold; summer is dominated by southerly winds, featuring high temperatures and abundant rainfall. The multi-year average temperature in Xianning's urban area is 17.22°C, with an average annual rainfall of 1,599.9 mm. The highest recorded temperature in Xianning City occurred on August 1, 2003, with an extreme of 41.7°C. The lowest was -15.4°C on January 31, 1969, both measured in Xian'an. The highest annual precipitation was 2,014 mm, recorded in 2004, and the lowest was only 951.6 mm, occurring in 1968. Snowfall occurs in winter, averaging 12.7 snowy days per year. The heaviest snowfall on record was in Tongshan on February 7, 1972, with a maximum snow depth of 35 centimeters. | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|------|------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|------|------|-------|-------| | Record High °C | 24.2 | 29.0 | 34.7 | 35.7 | 37.4 | 38.6 | 41.5 | 41.7 | 40.1 | 36.4 | 32.2 | 25.8 | 41.7 | | Record High °F | 75.6 | 84.0 | 94.5 | 96.3 | 99.3 | 101.5 | 106.7 | 107.1 | 104.2 | 97.5 | 90.0 | 78.4 | 107.1 | | Average High °C | 8.7 | 11.1 | 15.3 | 22.5 | 27.5 | 30.4 | 33.8 | 32.9 | 28.6 | 23.2 | 17.5 | 11.5 | 21.9 | | Average High °F | 47.7 | 52.0 | 59.5 | 72.5 | 81.5 | 86.7 | 92.8 | 91.2 | 83.5 | 73.8 | 63.5 | 52.7 | 71.5 | | Daily Mean °C | 4.6 | 6.9 | 10.9 | 17.5 | 22.5 | 25.9 | 29.2 | 28.2 | 23.8 | 18.2 | 12.3 | 6.6 | 17.2 | | Daily Mean °F | 40.3 | 44.4 | 51.6 | 63.5 | 72.5 | 78.6 | 84.6 | 82.8 | 74.8 | 64.8 | 54.1 | 43.9 | 63.0 | | Average Low °C | 1.6 | 3.4 | 7.4 | 13.6 | 18.5 | 22.4 | 25.6 | 24.7 | 20.3 | 14.5 | 8.7 | 3.3 | 13.7 | | Average Low °F | 34.9 | 38.8 | 45.3 | 56.5 | 65.3 | 72.3 | 78.1 | 76.5 | 68.5 | 58.1 | 47.7 | 37.9 | 56.7 | | Record Low °C | -6.7 | -7.7 | -2.2 | 2.3 | 9.0 | 12.6 | 19.4 | 18.4 | 10.8 | 2.3 | 2.5 | -10.7 | -10.7 | | Record Low °F | 19.9 | 18.1 | 28.0 | 36.1 | 48.0 | 54.7 | 66.9 | 65.1 | 51.4 | 36.1 | 36.5 | 12.7 | 12.7 | | Average precipitation mm | 71.1 | 86.2 | 132.1 | 180.1 | 197.0 | 230.2 | 234.9 | 156.6 | 93.9 | 93.0 | 78.9 | 45.9 | 1,599.9 | | Average precipitation inches | 2.80 | 3.39 | 5.20 | 7.09 | 7.80 | 9.06 | 9.25 | 6.17 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 3.11 | 1.81 | 63.08 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 79 | 77 | 78 | 77 | 76 | 78 | 75 | 78 | 78 | 77 | 77 | 76 | 77 |

4.6 Resources

Xianning City is home to over 460 species of terrestrial wildlife across 32 orders, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, arthropods, and mammals. Within its territory, there are nationally protected animals such as the first-class protected white-necked long-tailed pheasant and leopard, as well as second-class protected species like the giant salamander, silver pheasant, and golden cat.

Xianning City has a total of 1,114 tree species and 54 varieties, belonging to 112 families and 354 genera. Major timber trees include Chinese fir, masson pine, moso bamboo, cypress, oak species, poplar, black locust, paulownia, and camphor tree. Economic tree species comprise tea plant, osmanthus, oil-tea camellia, tung oil tree, citrus, Chinese tallow tree, palm, chestnut, eucommia, magnolia officinalis, peach, plum, pear, persimmon, jujube, and kiwi. Rare tree species include first-class protected plants such as southern yew, incense tree, ginkgo, metasequoia, and bretschneidera sinensis, as well as second-class protected plants like cephalotaxus fortunei, magnolia officinalis var. biloba, toona ciliata, cephalotaxus oliveri, walnut, liriodendron chinense, and golden larch. The forest coverage rate in Xianning City reaches 54.2%.

A total of 59 mineral types have been discovered within Xianning City, with significant reserves of tantalum, beryllium, rare earth metal placer deposits, antimony, potassium feldspar, albite, muscovite, and magnesium dolomite. In line with the economic concept of "green rise," Xianning has closed dozens of mines.

4.7 Natural Disasters

Located in a monsoon region with uneven temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall, Xianning City is prone to river floods and mountain torrents in summer, while experiencing prolonged droughts lasting several months during autumn and winter. During the Song Dynasty, the Siyi Gongdi (Four-County Public Levee) was constructed from Ma'anshan in Jiayu County to Chijishan in Jiangxia County to defend against river floods. It has been renovated through the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties and remains functional today. Despite the construction of levees, floods remain difficult to contain during peak river flood seasons. During the Qianlong and Daoguang eras of the Qing Dynasty, the Siyi Gongdi was repeatedly breached and repaired. From 1829 to 1834, it even suffered breaches for six consecutive years, flooding counties along the river such as Jiayu, Puqi, and Xianning. A local folk rhyme from that time lamented, "Daoguang, Daoguang, nine famines in ten years." During the Ming and Qing dynasties, floods occurred on average nearly once every six years. In the 39-year period of the Republic of China era, 14 floods occurred, increasing the frequency to nearly once every three years. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, 19 additional floods occurred. The most severe was the catastrophic flood of 1998, where heavy rains caused waterlogging, and the Yangtze River water levels remained persistently high. On August 22, the water level at the Chibi station peaked at 33.73 meters, with 18 breaches in the river levees. The disaster inundated 2.27 million mu of farmland, collapsed or submerged 85,393 houses, affected 1.36 million people, displaced and relocated 177,000 individuals, and resulted in direct economic losses of 5.03 billion yuan.

5. Administrative Divisions

Xianning City administers 1 district, 4 counties, and has jurisdiction over 1 county-level city.

• District: Xian'an District
• County-level City: Chibi City
• Counties: Jiayu County, Tongcheng County, Chongyang County, Tongshan County

Additionally, Xianning City has established the national-level Xianning High-Tech Industrial Development Zone. Henggouqiao Town in Xian'an District falls under the jurisdiction of the Xianning High-Tech Zone.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|----------------|--------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 421200 | Xianning City | Xiánníng Shì | 9,751.50 | 2,658,316 | Xian'an District | 437000 | 6 | 52 | 12 | | 421202 | Xian'an District | Xián'ān Qū | 1,503.08 | 657,590 | Fushan Subdistrict | 437000 | 3 | 9 | 1 | | 421221 | Jiayu County | Jiāyú Xiàn | 1,019.53 | 285,642 | Yuyue Town | 437200 | | 8 | | | 421222 | Tongcheng County | Tōngchéng Xiàn | 1,131.21 | 426,288 | Juanshui Town | 437400 | | 9 | 2 | | 421223 | Chongyang County | Chóngyáng Xiàn | 1,959.33 | 427,130 | Tiancheng Town | 437500 | | 8 | 4 | | 421224 | Tongshan County | Tōngshān Xiàn | 2,420.62 | 391,311 | Tongyang Town | 437600 | | 8 | 4 | | 421281 | Chibi City | Chìbì Shì | 1,717.71 | 470,355 | Chimagang Subdistrict | 437300 | 3 | 10 | |

6. Economy

According to 2018 statistics, Xianning's GDP was 136.242 billion yuan. The output values of the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were 18.688 billion yuan, 66.283 billion yuan, and 51.271 billion yuan respectively, with an industrial structure ratio of 13.72:48.65:37.63. The per capita GDP was 53,655 yuan, lower than the Hubei provincial average of 66,616 yuan. The per capita disposable income of urban permanent residents was 30,337 yuan, while that of rural permanent residents was 15,166 yuan. The annual local general public budget revenue was 9.132 billion yuan, with expenditures totaling 24.834 billion yuan.

In 2014, Xianning had 383,000 registered impoverished individuals, 192 impoverished villages, and 3 impoverished counties (Chongyang County, Tongshan County, and Tongcheng County). After five years of targeted poverty alleviation, by the end of 2018, the impoverished population in Xianning had decreased to 23,000, and the poverty incidence rate dropped from 17.63% to 1.06%. Chongyang and Tongshan had already achieved the status of being lifted out of poverty.

6.1 Agriculture

According to 2017 statistics, Xianning had a rural population of 2.167 million, of which 425,200 were agricultural workers. The total agricultural land area was 551,540 hectares, primarily consisting of forestland and cultivated land. The plain lake areas in Xianning have been cultivated to their limit, resulting in scarce reserve resources for cultivated land. The main crops in Xianning are food crops and vegetables, with rice being the predominant food crop.

In 2000, the Xianning municipal government proposed developing agricultural industrialization with a focus on industries known as the "Hometown of Moso Bamboo," "Hometown of Osmanthus," "Hometown of Ramie," "Hometown of Tea," as well as kiwifruit, vegetables, seedlings, pigs, Lei bamboo, and fruit. Also in 2000, the State Forestry Administration and the China Flower Association designated Xian'an District of Xianning as the "Hometown of Chinese Osmanthus." In 2013, "Xianning Osmanthus" was recognized as a national geographical indication certification trademark by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. Today, osmanthus has become Xianning's premier specialty industry, and the osmanthus tree is also the city tree of Xianning. The city ranks first in China in five key indicators: variety quantity, number of ancient trees, base area, fresh osmanthus flower yield, and osmanthus quality. Its osmanthus production ranks second in China, with the entire industry's output value reaching 1 billion yuan. In 2017, Xianning produced 55,000 tons of tea, making it the largest brick tea production area in China. The China Circulation Tea Association has named Chibi the "Hometown of Chinese Dark Brick Tea." In the late Qing Dynasty, the "Chuan" character brand brick tea produced in Yangloudong enjoyed a high reputation in northwestern China. The Zhao Liqiao Tea Factory, which produces "Chuan" character tea, is a time-honored Chinese brand enterprise, and its Zhao Liqiao brick tea production technique has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Xianning is also a key area for ramie production and processing in China. Additionally, Xianning has geographical indication certification trademarks such as Huangpaoshan rapeseed, Yangfang fermented black beans, Yangfang soy sauce, Chongyang wild osmanthus honey, Tongshan sesame cakes, and Nanchuan honey oranges.

6.2 Industry

In 2017, Xianning had 829 industrial enterprises above a designated size, with a total industrial output value of 185.330 billion yuan and a total profit of 12.526 billion yuan. Six major industrial pillar industries have been formed, primarily consisting of electric power and energy, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, electromechanical manufacturing, forest products and papermaking, and metallurgy and building materials. The non-metallic mineral products industry is the largest industrial sector in Xianning. In 2017, 128 enterprises were engaged in non-metallic mining, with an industrial output value of 25.789 billion yuan. Chibi City and Jiayu County are the main industrial production areas in the Xianning region, with 202 and 170 industrial enterprises above designated size respectively, and output values of 55.095 billion yuan and 56.033 billion yuan respectively. One enterprise from Xianning entered the "2019 Hubei Top 100 Enterprises Ranking" – Jinshenglan Metallurgical Technology, a private steel enterprise located in Jiayu County, ranked 49th. In the "2019 Hubei Province Top 100 Private Enterprises" list, two enterprises from Xianning were included: Jinshenglan Metallurgical Technology (24) and Red Bull Vitamin Beverage (Hubei) Co., Ltd. (73). In 2008, the Hubei Provincial People's Government signed an agreement with China General Nuclear Power Group to build the Xianning Nuclear Power Plant in Dafan Town, northeast of Tongshan County. After the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, the State Council suspended several nuclear power plant projects, including Xianning. Hubei Province originally planned to seek national approval to start the construction of the Xianning nuclear power plant during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period, but as of early 2020, there had been no further updates.

As of 2017, Xianning had established seven development zones: Xianning National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Xian'an Economic Development Zone, Chibi Economic Development Zone, Chibi Pufang Industrial Park, Tongcheng Economic Development Zone, Chongyang Industrial Park, and Tongshan Economic Development Zone. Their combined GDP was 41.441 billion yuan, with a total industrial output value of 144.868 billion yuan.

6.3 Tertiary Industry

In 2017, Xianning's total retail sales of consumer goods reached 49.724 billion yuan, with total imports and exports of 3.42 billion yuan. At the end of the year, the balance of various deposits in financial institutions citywide was 138.988 billion yuan. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Bank of China, Agricultural Development Bank of China, Hubei Rural Credit Cooperatives Union, Bank of Hubei, Bank of Communications, China Minsheng Bank, and China Postal Savings Bank have established branches in Xianning. Xianning has also established local rural commercial banks such as Xianning Rural Commercial Bank, Xian'an Changjiang Village Bank, and Chibi Changjiang Village Bank. Xianning has a total of 44 star-rated hotels, including one five-star, three four-star, and 26 three-star hotels. The China Tourist Hotel Association granted Xianning Country Garden Phoenix Hot Spring Hotel a five-star qualification in 2010.

7. Transportation

7.1 Highways

In the 17th year of the Republic of China (1928), a 4-kilometer-long road (the Dongzhao Road) was built from Yangloudong to Zhaoliqiao, becoming the first modern automobile road in the Xianning area. Before the fall of southern Hubei in October 1938, the Nationalist government had constructed 452.28 kilometers of roads in the Xianning area. When the Xianning Prefecture was established in 1965, the area had a total of 8 simple gravel roads and 2 inter-provincial trunk roads passing through, with a total traffic mileage of 1,800.94 kilometers. In 1981, the first second-class highway in Xianning—the Heshengqiao to Wenquan road—was reconstructed and completed. It was upgraded in 1993 to become the first first-class highway in Xianning. As of 2017, the total highway mileage in Xianning City was 16,064.58 kilometers, of which 1,710.79 kilometers were second-class or above. There were 521.18 kilometers of national highways and 994.25 kilometers of provincial highways.

National Highway 106 enters Xianning from Jiajiayuan Village, Honggang Town, Tongshan County, heading west through Jiugongshan Town, Tongshan County seat, and Chongyang County seat, then turning south through Tongcheng County seat and Jieshang Village, Magang Town, into Pingjiang County, Hunan Province. National Highway 107 enters Xianning from Heshengqiao Town, Xian'an District, heading south to the urban area of Xianning, then turning southwest through Tingsiqiao Town, the urban area of Chibi, and Zhaoliqiao Town into Linxiang City, Hunan Province. National Highway 316 shares a route with National Highway 106 into Tongshan County, separating east of Jiajiayuan Village and heading north into Yangxin County, Huangshi City, with only a 1.13-kilometer section within Xianning. Additionally, National Highway 351 enters Xianning from Shuangxiqiao Town, heading west through the urban area of Xianning and Panjiawan Town into Honghu City. The Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway enters Xian'an District from Jiangxia District, Wuhan City, heading southwest through Chibi City and entering Hunan Province at Tucun Village, Xindian Town. The Xianning section was completed and opened to traffic in 2002. The Wuhan-Shenzhen Expressway enters Jiayu County from Jiangxia District, Wuhan City (Jiayu North Section), heading south through Tongshan County (Jiatong Expressway) and entering Hunan Province at Jieshang Village, Tongshan County (Tongjie Expressway). The last section built within Xianning (Jiayu North Section) was completed and opened to traffic in 2018. The Daqing-Guangzhou Expressway enters Tongshan County from Yangxin County, Huangshi City, heading south through Yanxia Township and Honggang Town before entering Jiangxi Province. The Xianning section was completed and opened to traffic in 2012. The Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway enters Xianning from Yangxin County, heading west through Tongshan, Chongyang, and Tongcheng counties before entering Hunan Province. The Xianning section was completed and opened to traffic in 2011. The provincial-level Xiantong Expressway runs from the Xianning East Interchange south to the Nanlinqiao Interchange in Tongshan County, connecting the Qijia Expressway and the Hangrui Expressway. It opened to traffic in 2013. The provincial-level Qijia Expressway enters Xianning from Huangshi (the Huangshi to Xianning section is also called the Huangxian Expressway), heading west through Xian'an District and Jiayu County, connecting to the Xianhong Expressway at the Jiayu Yangtze River Bridge. It opened to traffic in 2013. The provincial-level Huangxian Expressway is still in the planning stage. It is planned to run south from Liangzihu District, Ezhou City, connecting to the Qijia Expressway at the Jinniu Hub. The Ezhou to Xianning section is also called the "Exian Expressway." It was approved by the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission in 2019. Because the Jinniu Hub is located within Jinniu Town, Daye City, Huangshi, the Huangxian Expressway does not actually enter Xianning. Other planned expressways include the Wuhan-Xianning Expressway and the Tongshan to Wuning County, Jiujiang City Expressway.

In 2019, the Jiayu Yangtze River Bridge was completed, connecting Jiayu County and Honghu City. It is 1,650 meters long and is the first Yangtze River bridge in Xianning City. The Chibi Yangtze River Bridge began construction in 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2021.

7.2 Railways

The Xianning section of the Yuehan Railway began construction in 1913 and opened to traffic in 1917. It later became part of the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway. The double-track line was completed and opened to traffic in September 1969, and electrification was completed in 2001. The Xianning section has 10 stations: Heshengqiao, Henggouqiao, Xianning, Tingsiqiao, Guantangyi, Zhonghuopu, Chibi, Puqi, Chaling, and Zhaoliqiao. In 2009, the Wuhan-Guangzhou section of the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway opened, with two stations in Xianning: Xianning North and Chibi North. In 2013, the Wuhan-Xianning Intercity Railway, with a designed maximum speed of 300 km/h, opened to traffic. It operates ten pairs of EMU trains daily between Xianning and Wuhan. The Xianning section has four stations: Heshengqiao East, Henggouqiao East, Xianning East, and Xianning South. Planned railways include the Xianning-Yichun-Ji'an Railway and the Wuhan-Xianning-Nanchang High-Speed Railway.

7.3 Waterways

As of 2017, Xianning City had 442.75 kilometers of inland waterway mileage. Rivers such as the Yangtze River, Lushui River, Fushui River, and Ganshui River are navigable. In 2008, the Hubei Provincial Government decided to unify the port planning of Wuhan, Ezhou, Huanggang, and Xianning to build the Wuhan New Port. Xianning City planned 11.95 kilometers of port shoreline, 54 various berths, forming a throughput capacity of 17.6 million tons, with plans for two port areas: Jiayu and Chibi.

8. Education

As of 2017, Xianning City had a total of 2 colleges and universities, 15 secondary vocational schools, 26 high schools, 121 junior high schools, and 354 primary schools. The respective numbers of enrolled students were 35,315, 18,693, 40,609, 86,827, and 227,972. Both the primary school enrollment rate and the junior high school enrollment rate were 100%, while the high school enrollment rate was 98.2%. In 2017, the local fiscal budget for education was 3.665 billion yuan.

Hubei University of Science and Technology and Xianning Vocational Technical College are the two colleges and universities located in Xianning City. Hubei University of Science and Technology was originally named Xianning University. It was formed in 2003 through the merger of Xianning Medical College and Xianning Teachers College, and was renamed Hubei University of Science and Technology in 2011. The university holds the qualification to grant master's degrees in pharmacy. Xianning Vocational Technical College was established in 2003 through the merger of Xianning Education College, Xianning Finance, Trade, and Business Management School, and Xianning Applied Technology School.

Two schools in Xianning City have been selected as "Demonstrative Regular High Schools of Hubei Province": Hubei Province Enan High School and Chibi City No. 1 High School. Enan High School is the leading institution for basic education in Xianning City. It became independent in 1984 after separating from Xianning Wenquan Middle School. In the 2018 National College Entrance Examination, over 700 students from Enan High School achieved scores above the first-tier admission line of Hubei Province.

9. Population

In 1949, the total population of the six counties in Xianning was 1.0022 million. Subsequently, Xianning's population entered a period of rapid growth, maintaining a high growth rate of 7.28‰ even during the three years of hardship, and reaching a peak growth rate of 46.3‰ in 1968. After the implementation of the family planning policy in the 1970s, population growth gradually slowed, dropping to 12.83‰ in 1980. In the same year, the population of the six counties in Xianning exceeded two million. According to the results of the seventh national population census in 2020, Xianning City had a total of 931,600 households and 2,658,300 people, with a registered population of 2,964,114. Statistics at the end of 2017 showed that Xianning City had a registered population of 3,040,100, a natural growth rate of 7.08%, a permanent resident population of 2,535,100, and a population density of 253 people per square kilometer.

In the 2010 population census, Xianning City had 1,264,784 males and 1,197,799 females, with a sex ratio of 105.59. The population aged 60 and above totaled 294,790, accounting for 11.97% of the total population; the elderly population aged 65 and above totaled 187,610, accounting for 7.62% of the total population. According to internationally accepted standards, Xianning City has entered an aging society. There were 98,844 illiterate people aged 15 and above in Xianning City, accounting for 4.87% of the population aged 15 and above, while the population with a college degree or higher was 137,723, accounting for 6.79% of the population aged 15 and above.

According to the seventh population census data, as of 00:00 on November 1, 2020, the permanent resident population of Xianning City was 2,658,316.

At the end of 2022, the city's registered population was 3.0361 million, with 21,300 births and 14,300 deaths among the registered population.

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10. Culture

10.1 Arts

The String Opera is a type of traditional opera prevalent in Chongyang, Tongcheng, Tongshan, and other areas of southern Hubei. It uses the large-tube huqin (a two-stringed fiddle) as the main accompanying instrument and is performed in Nuo'an opera, Da'an opera, Shen'an opera, and Huanyuan opera. In 2008, the Chongyang String Opera was included in the second batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Since the Northern Song Dynasty, Tongshan has been home to artisans specializing in wood carving. Tongshan wood carving is known as "embroidery on wooden boards" and was listed as a representative project of National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014.

10.2 Cultural Relics

Xianning City has seven museums registered with the National Cultural Heritage Administration: Xianning Museum, Chibi City Museum, Chongyang County Museum, Tongcheng County Museum, Jiayu County Museum, Tongshan County Museum, and Xian'an District Museum of Xianning City.

There are eight National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units within Xianning City: the Site of the Northern Expedition Tingsiqiao Campaign, Li Zicheng's Tomb, the Site of Sun Guo Hu City, the Xindian Earthen City Site, Shen Hongbin's Former Residence, Wang Mingfan's Mansion, Chibi Cliff Carvings, and the Xiangyang Lake Cultural Celebrities' Former Site. Additionally, there are 33 Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units: He Gongwei Martyr's Former Residence, Qian Yishi's Former Residence, Liujiaqiao Folk Dwellings, Xian'an Ancient Bridges, Xian'an March 18th Massacre Burial Pits, Miaoshan Site, Taiping Cave, Yangloudong, Xindian Ming-Qing Stone Slab Street, Huayuanling Tomb Cluster, Wangjialing Tomb Cluster, Zhujialing Tomb Cluster, Tomb of Lady of Qin State, Chibi Ancient Bridges, Puqi City Wall, E'ishi Pagoda, Shu Bridge, Jingbao Bridge, Stele Inscription on the Reconstruction of Xianning Embankment, Confucian Temple, Ancestral Hall, Baoshi Folk Dwelling Cluster, Tan Clan Ancestral Hall, Zhou Family Grand House, Qingshanya Cave Weir, Shijian Weir, Liu Jingshao's Tomb, Mi Yingsheng's Former Residence, Chen Shouchang's Tomb, Tianyue Pass, Nanhong Bridge, Yaojialin Site, Lingguan Bridge, Tianyue Pass Memorial Pavilion for Fallen Anti-Japanese Soldiers, and Ge'erpo Red Army Martyrs Memorial Site.

In June 1977, a Shang Dynasty bronze drum (Chongyang Bronze Drum) was unearthed in Chongyang County. It stands 75.5 cm tall, weighs 42.5 kg, and its form slightly differs from the "Double Bird Taotie Pattern Drum" (known as the Kui Shen Drum by the Sen-oku Hakuko Kan Museum in Japan). Comprising a drum crown, drum body, and drum base, it is the earliest bronze drum discovered to date. It was selected as an exhibit for the "Exhibition of Chinese Cultural Relics Masterpieces" and was displayed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. It is currently housed in the Hubei Provincial Museum.

10.3 News Media

In terms of publications, Xianning Daily is the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China Xianning Municipal Committee, first published on July 1, 1966. The newspaper also publishes and operates a metropolitan lifestyle newspaper called Xiangcheng Metropolis Daily. Regarding radio and television, signals from major national media outlets of the People's Republic of China, such as China Central Television (CCTV), China National Radio (CNR), and Hubei Broadcasting & Television, can be received in Xianning City. These media outlets broadcast local news for the Xianning area during specific time slots. The Communist Party of China Xianning Municipal Committee operates Xianning Broadcasting and Television Station, which was established in November 2008 through the merger of Xianning Television Station, Xianning People's Broadcasting Station, Xianning Radio and Television Transmission Station, Xianning Chutian Shengping Newspaper Office, and Xianning Radio and Television Information Network Development Center. The station operates two television channels and two radio frequencies. In addition to municipal-level broadcasting media, each county-level administrative division in Xianning City has its own integrated media center, primarily reporting local news. Among them, the Chibi City Integrated Media Center is also the first county-level integrated media center in Hubei Province.

12. Sister Cities

As of 2020, Xianning City has established international sister city relationships with four cities:

• Taebaek City, South Korea (June 24, 2013)
• Városföld, Hungary (October 30, 2013)
• Uiwang City, South Korea (September 5, 2015)
• Para District, Suriname (February 6, 2017)

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11. 人物

明朝，咸宁地区的著名人物有兵部尚书李承勋、方逢时、南京户部尚书汪宗伊、东阁大学士熊开元、锦衣卫都指挥使骆养性。清朝有江宁布政使涂文钧、陕西布政使雷以諴、清末资政院议员吴怀清、黄文润。中华民国建立后，在中央政府及地方担任要员的有南京临时政府财政部次长王鸿猷、北洋政府司法总长张国淦、国民政府外交部长王世杰、约法会议议员张国溶、第一届立法委员叶叶琹、总统府资政但焘、广西省长马君武、重庆市长及西康省主席贺国光、南京市长石瑛等。中华人民共和国时期，咸宁地区的著名人物有中国人民解放军总参谋长黄永胜、东部战区陆军政治委员张红兵、中共中央候补委员陈刚、财政部长殷承祯、监察部长钱瑛、粮食部副部长聂洪钧、九三学社创始人吴藻溪等。

"The first emergence of all things brings peace to all nations." — The Book of Changes, Qian

Xian'an District, Wenquan Subdistrict

Xian'an District

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Osmanthus tree

Osmanthus