Taian (泰安)

1. Introduction

Tai'an City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Shandong Province, the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of Shandong Province, east of the Yellow River. The city borders Jinan to the north, Linyi to the southeast, Jining to the south, and faces Liaocheng and Puyang City in Henan Province across the Yellow River to the west. Situated in the western part of the Shandong hilly region, the terrain is higher in the northeast and lower in the southwest. The central and western areas are part of the Subei Plain, while the eastern part is characterized by low mountains and hills, with some regions within the city being mountainous. Mount Tai dominates the northern part of the city, with its main peak, Yuhuangding, being the highest point in Shandong Province. The eastern part of the city consists of the remaining ranges of the Mengshan Mountains. The Dawen River is the largest river in the area, with its main tributaries being the Chaiwen River, Yingwen River, and Mouwen River. Dongping Lake in the west is the largest lake in the city. The People's Government of Tai'an City is located at No. 3 Wangyue East Road, Taishan District.

The name Tai'an derives from the phrase "guó tài mín ān" (the country is prosperous and the people are at peace), and the city is renowned for Mount Tai, the foremost of the Five Sacred Mountains. The main urban area is located at the southern foot of Mount Tai, integrating the mountain and the city into one. Tai'an is a National Historical and Cultural City, a National Civilized City, a National Sanitary City, a National Forest City, and an Excellent Tourism City of China.

2. Name History

The name Tai'an derives from the phrase "guó tài mín ān" (the country is prosperous and the people are at peace), and it is renowned for Mount Tai, the foremost of the Five Sacred Mountains.

3. History

3.1 Ancient Era

Tai'an derives its name from Mount Tai, the eastern peak of the Five Sacred Mountains. As an ancient saying goes, "When Mount Tai is secure, all under heaven is secure," embodying the wish for "national peace and people's safety." During the Qin Dynasty, the present-day area first belonged to Qi Commandery and later to Jibei Commandery, with Boyang County established as the seat of Jibei Commandery. In the early Western Han Dynasty, Taishan Commandery was established, and Boyang County was renamed Bo County, serving as the seat of Taishan Commandery. In the first year of the Yuanfeng era (110 BCE), Fenggao County was established, with its seat in the east of present-day Tai'an City, serving as the seat of Taishan Commandery. This administrative structure continued through the Wei and Jin dynasties. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, the seat of Taishan Commandery was moved to Bo County, which was renamed Boping County, located in the southeast of the present-day city area. In the Northern Qi Dynasty, Taishan Commandery was renamed Dongping Commandery, and Boping County was reverted to Bo County, serving as the commandery seat.

In the early Sui Dynasty, during the Kaihuang era, Dongping Commandery was abolished. In the 16th year of Kaihuang (596 CE), Boping County was renamed Wenyang County and later changed to Bocheng County. In the fifth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (622 CE), Dongtai Prefecture was established in Bocheng County. In the first year of the Zhenguan era (627 CE), Dongtai Prefecture was abolished, and Liangfu County was merged into Bocheng County. In the first year of the Qianfeng era (666 CE), Bocheng County was renamed Qianfeng County. In the first year of the Zongzhang era (668 CE), it was reverted to Bocheng County. In the first year of the Shenlong era (705 CE), it was again renamed Qianfeng County, belonging to Yanzhou. In the fifth year of the Kaibao era of the Northern Song Dynasty (972 CE), the seat of Qianfeng County was moved to Daiyue. In the first year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era (1008 CE), Qianfeng County was renamed Fengfu County, belonging to Xiqing Prefecture.

In the 14th year of the Tianhui era of the Jin Dynasty (1136 CE), the Tai'an Army was established in Fengfu County, marking the first use of the name "Tai'an." The Tai'an Prefecture Gazetteer from the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty states: "The Han people likened the security of the realm to Mount Tai, and the name is derived from this." The Shandong General Gazetteer notes that it conveys the meaning of "seeking greater security from a state of security." In the 22nd year of the Dading era (1182 CE), the Tai'an Army was elevated to Tai'an Prefecture, with its seat in Fengfu County. In the early Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, the seat of Fengfu County was merged into Tai'an Prefecture, which belonged to Jinan Prefecture. In the second year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty (1724 CE), Tai'an was elevated to a directly administered prefecture, and in the 13th year, it became Tai'an Prefecture, with Tai'an County established as the prefectural seat.

3.2 Modern Era

In the second year of the Republic of China (1913 CE), Tai'an Prefecture was abolished, and its subordinate counties were divided among the Daibei, Dainan, and Jixi circuits. The following year, these were renamed the Jinan, Jining, and Donglin circuits, respectively. In 1925, they were divided among the Tai'an, Yanji, and other circuits. In 1928, the circuit system was abolished. In 1940, the Taixi Special District was established, belonging to the Western Shandong Administrative Region, and the Taishan Special District was also established. In 1941, the southern part of the Taishan Special District was separated to form the Tainan Special District, both belonging to the Central Shandong Administrative Region. Later, the Taixi Special District was transferred to the Hebei-Shandong-Henan Border Region. In February 1942, Taining County was established from parts of Tai'an and Ningyang counties, belonging to the Tainan Special District. In 1945, the Tainan Special District was merged into the Yimeng Special District. In 1948, the Taishan, Yimeng, and Taixi Special Districts all belonged to the South Central Shandong Administrative Region.

3.3 Contemporary Era

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Tai'an and Taining counties were under the jurisdiction of the Taishan Special District. In 1950, the Taishan and Taixi Special Districts were merged to form the Tai'an Special District. In September 1952, Taining County was renamed Zuyang County. In March 1956, it was abolished. In June 1958, the Tai'an Special District was abolished, and the urban and suburban areas of Tai'an County were separated to establish Tai'an City. In November of the same year, Tai'an County and Tai'an City were merged to form Tai'an City, under the jurisdiction of Jinan City. In May 1961, the Tai'an Special District was reestablished. In May 1963, Tai'an City was reverted to Tai'an County. In 1967, the Tai'an Special District was renamed the Tai'an Region. In March 1982, Tai'an County was changed to the county-level Tai'an City, belonging to the Tai'an Region. In May 1985, the Tai'an Region was abolished, and the prefecture-level Tai'an City was established. The former county-level Tai'an City was restructured into the Taishan District and Suburban District. It governed Ningyang, Feicheng, and Dongping counties and administered the cities of Laiwu and Xintai. Wenshang and Sishui counties were transferred to Jining City, and Pingyin County was transferred to Jinan City. In November 1992, Laiwu City was elevated to a prefecture-level city. In the same year, Feicheng County was changed to a city. In April 2000, the Suburban District of Tai'an City was renamed Daiyue District.

4. Geography

Located between 116°02′ to 117°59′ east longitude and 35°38′ to 36°28′ north latitude, the city spans approximately 176.6 kilometers from east to west and 93.5 kilometers from north to south. It is situated in the upper reaches of the Dawen River. The urban area is built at the foot of Mount Tai, following the mountain's contours, creating an integrated mountain-city landscape. It lies 66.8 kilometers north of Jinan, the provincial capital, and 74.6 kilometers south of Qufu, the sacred site of the "Three Confucian Sites," positioning it at the midpoint of Shandong Province's "One Mountain, One River, One Sage" tourist route. The highest point in Tai'an is the Jade Emperor Peak, with an elevation of 1,532.7 meters.

4.1 Climate

Tai'an has a warm temperate semi-humid continental monsoon climate, characterized by four distinct seasons and concurrent rainfall and heat. The annual average temperature is 12.8°C, with an average annual precipitation of 681.2 millimeters and an average annual sunshine duration of 2,627.1 hours.

5. Administrative Divisions

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

• Municipal Districts: Taishan District, Daiyue District
• County-level Cities: Xintai City, Feicheng City
• Counties: Ningyang County, Dongping County

Additionally, Tai'an City has established the following economic functional zones: the National-level Mount Tai Scenic Area and the National-level Tai'an High-tech Industrial Development Zone.

6. Economy

Tai'an City is an important industrial base in Shandong Province, having formed eight leading industries including mechanical manufacturing, electronic information, new materials, new energy, chemicals, textiles and apparel, and food. Its agricultural foundation is solid, making it one of Shandong's key grain-producing areas. It serves as a national production base for high-quality commercial wheat, livestock, vegetables, and flowers and seedlings.

7. Transportation

7.1 Railway

Taishan Station (originally built in 1909, known as Tai'an Railway Station before 2000) is the junction of the Beijing-Shanghai Railway, Xintai-Tai'an Railway, and Tai'an-Feicheng Railway. Within the region, there are also the Cilai Railway and the Wari Railway. Plans are in place to construct the Tai'an-Liaocheng Railway and the Jinan-Tai'an Intercity Railway. The already operational Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway has a station within the region, the Tai'an High-Speed Railway Station.

7.2 Highway

Tai'an City is located in the central region of Shandong Province, with convenient highway transportation and a well-developed road network. Tai'an Central Bus Station is the largest highway passenger transport hub in the city. Additionally, each county (city/district) has its own county-level passenger bus station.

National Highways passing through Tai'an:

• G104
• G105
• G205
• G341
• G342

Expressways passing through Tai'an:

• Beijing-Shanghai Expressway (Beijing–Shanghai)
• Beijing-Taipei Expressway (Beijing–Fuzhou)
• Qingdao-Lanzhou Expressway (Qingdao–Lanzhou)
• Jinan-Guangzhou Expressway (Jinan–Guangzhou)
• Laiwu-Tai'an Expressway (Laiwu–Tai'an)
• Jinan-Tai'an Expressway (Jinan [East Second Ring Road]–Tai'an)
• Tai'an-Xintai Expressway (Taishan District–Xintai City)
• Dongliang Expressway (Qingdao Dongjiakou–Xintai City–Liangshan County): The section from Dongjiakou to Xintai is not yet open.

8. Education

8.1 Higher Education Institutions

• Shandong Agricultural University
• Shandong University of Science and Technology, Tai'an Campus
• Shandong First Medical University
• Taishan University
• Taishan College of Science and Technology, Shandong University of Science and Technology
• Dongfang College, Shandong University of Finance and Economics
• Shandong Fashion Vocational College
• Tai'an Vocational and Technical College

8.2 High Schools

The following are some high schools within the entire administrative area of Tai'an City.

Taishan District, Daiyue District

• Shandong Tai'an No.1 High School
• Shandong Tai'an No.2 High School
• Shandong Tai'an No.3 High School
• Shandong Tai'an No.4 High School
• Shandong Tai'an No.5 High School
• Shandong Tai'an No.19 High School
• Shandong Taishan High School
• Shandong Tai'an Hero Mountain High School
• Tai'an Great Wall High School
• Tai'an Experimental High School

Feicheng City

• Feicheng No.1 Senior High School
• Feicheng No.2 Senior High School
• Feicheng No.6 Senior High School
• Feicheng Taixi High School

Dongping County

• Shandong Dongping Senior High School
• Shandong Dongping County No.1 High School
• Shandong Dongping County Minghu High School

Xintai City

• Shandong Xintai No.1 High School
• Shandong Xintai No.2 High School
• Shandong Xintai High School
• Xintai Xinwen High School
• Xintai Wencheng High School

Ningyang County

• Shandong Ningyang County No.1 High School
• Shandong Ningyang County No.2 High School
• Shandong Ningyang County No.4 High School
• Shandong Ningyang County Experimental High School

8.3 Middle Schools

The following are the main middle schools within the urban area of Tai'an City. Schools from other counties, districts, and cities have not been included at this time.

• Shandong Tai'an Experimental School (Middle School Division)
• Affiliated Middle School of Taishan University
• Affiliated Middle School of Taishan University - Hongxin School
• Taishan Bilingual School
• Shandong Tai'an No.6 Middle School (New Campus)
• Shandong Tai'an Dongyue Middle School
• Shandong Tai'an Yingchun School (Middle School Division)
• Shandong Tai'an Panhe Middle School
• Shandong Tai'an Shengzhuang No.1 Middle School
• Shandong Tai'an Qiujiadian No.2 Middle School
• Shandong Tai'an Nanguan Middle School
• Shandong Tai'an Foreign Language School (Middle School Division)
• Shandong Tai'an City Taishan District Shanggao Middle School
• Shandong Tai'an City Taishan District Fengtai Middle School

8.4 Primary Schools

The following are the main primary schools within the urban area of Tai'an City. Schools from other counties, districts, and cities have not been included at this time.

• Affiliated School of Shandong Agricultural University
• Shandong Tai'an Experimental School (North Experimental Primary School)
• Shandong Tai'an Normal University Affiliated School
• Tai'an No.1 Experimental School (South Experimental Primary School)
• Tai'an Yingsheng Primary School
• Tai'an Wenhua Road Primary School
• Tai'an Nanguan Primary School
• Tai'an Yingchun School (Primary School Division)
• Tai'an City Taishan District Liangshishi School
• Tai'an City Taishan District Cangkulu School
• Tai'an Qili School
• Tai'an Sanxing School
• Tai'an Yubeilou Primary School

9. Population

By the end of 2022, the resident population was 5.401 million, with an urbanization rate of 65.45%. Urban areas saw 49,600 new jobs created, achieving 115.4% of the annual target. Among these, 23,600 were re-employed individuals who had previously been unemployed.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's resident population was 5,472,217. Compared with the 5,494,207 people recorded in the Sixth National Population Census, this represents a decrease of 21,990 people over ten years, a decline of 0.4%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.04%. Among them, the male population was 2,720,585, accounting for 49.72% of the total population; the female population was 2,751,632, accounting for 50.28% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 98.87. The population aged 0-14 was 950,797, accounting for 17.37% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 3,666,502, accounting for 67.00% of the total population; and the population aged 60 and above was 854,918, accounting for 15.62% of the total population. The urban population was 3,498,112, accounting for 63.92% of the total population, while the rural population was 1,974,105, accounting for 36.08%.

9.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the city's resident population, the Han ethnic group numbered 5,395,617, accounting for 98.6%, while ethnic minorities numbered 76,600, accounting for 1.4%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population decreased by 27,267, a decline of 0.5%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.1 percentage points. The ethnic minority population increased by 5,277, a growth of 7.4%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.1 percentage points.

The population is predominantly Han. The main ethnic minority is the Hui people. The city has over 60,000 Hui residents, with particularly high concentrations in the Taishan and Daiyue districts. Within the urban area, there is a Muslim community neighborhood, and a Hui Ethnic Middle School has been established.

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10. Culture

• Dawenkou Site
• Feng Yuxiang Tomb
• Dai Temple
• Mount Tai Stone Inscriptions
• Baifo Mountain Grotto Statues
• Mount Tai Ancient Architectural Complex
• Ningyang Yanzi Temple and Yan Forest
• Dawenkou Ancient Stone Bridge
• Jiliang Mountain Stone Inscriptions
• Stone Carvings at Xiao Daheng Cemetery Site
• Site of the Anti-Japanese Armed Uprising in Culai Mountain
• Hongding Mountain Cliff Inscriptions

12. Sister Cities

• Taean County, South Korea
• Hachioji City, Japan
• Ucayali, Peru
• Hashimoto City, Japan
• Fuefuki City, Japan
• Turin, Italy
• Francistown, Botswana
• Jundiaí, Brazil
• Lobnya, Russia
• Swabia Administrative District, Germany

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11. 名人

• 孔子
• 孟子
• 颜回
• 曾子
• 子思
• 子路
• 子贡
• 子夏
• 子张
• 子游
• 子羽
• 子羔
• 子贱
• 子华
• 子思
• 子贡
• 子夏
• 子张
• 子游
• 子羽
• 子羔
• 子贱
• 子华

Tai'an derives its name from Mount Tai, the eastern peak of the Five Sacred Mountains. As an ancient saying goes, "When Mount Tai is stable, the world is at peace," symbolizing the wish for national prosperity and people's well-being.

No. 3 Wangyue East Road, Taishan District

Xintai City

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