Chifeng (赤峰)

1. Introduction

Chifeng City (Mongolian: , transcribed by Poppe: Ulayanqada qota, Cyrillic: Ynaanxaq.xor) is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, originally known as the Juu Uda League (Mongolian: . Located in the eastern part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the northern part of North China, the city borders Xilingol League to the northwest, Tongliao City to the northeast, Chaoyang City of Liaoning Province to the southeast, and Chengde City of Hebei Province to the southwest. Situated on the southeastern edge of the Inner Mongolia Plateau and the southern foothills of the Greater Khingan Range, it lies at the northern base of the Qilaotu and Nuruerhu Mountains. The Xar Moron River originates in the western part of the city and flows eastward across the entire area, while the Laoha River enters from the south and merges with the Xar Moron River in the east to form the West Liao River. With a total area of 90,000 square kilometers, it is the most populous prefecture-level city in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with the Han ethnic group accounting for approximately 77% of the population and the Mongolian ethnic group making up about 19%. The People's Government of Chifeng City is located at No. 1 Yulong Avenue, Songshan District.

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2. History

Chifeng has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The famous Hongshan Culture site was discovered at Hongshan within the city. From the late Shang Dynasty to the Warring States period, the Donghu people were primarily active in the Chifeng area. In the later part of the Warring States period, the Yan Great Wall, constructed by the State of Yan along its border, passed through the southern part of Chifeng. Southern Chifeng was part of Yan's Right Beiping Commandery, with its administrative seat at Heicheng in Ningcheng, governing the counties of Gouze, Yang'an, Baigeng, and Xicheng. During the Qin and Han dynasties, Chifeng was under the jurisdiction of the Liaoxi Commandery and Right Beiping Commandery, a status maintained during the Northern Dynasties. In the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Raole Chief Commandery and Songmo Chief Commandery were established. At the end of the Tang dynasty, the Khitan people rose in this region and established the Liao Dynasty, whose capital Shangjing Linhuang Prefecture and secondary capital Zhongjing Dading Prefecture were both located in this area. During the Jin Dynasty, the entire area of present-day Chifeng City belonged to the Beijing Circuit. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was part of the Shangdu Circuit under the Central Secretariat, and the Daning, Quanning, and Yingchang Circuits under the Liaoyang Branch Secretariat. In the early Ming Dynasty, it was the fiefdom of the Prince of Ning, under the jurisdiction of Daning Guard. After the Yongle reign, it came under the Uriankha Three Guards, administered by the Nurgan Regional Military Commission. During the Qing Dynasty, most of the area belonged to the Juu Uda League, with parts in the Josotu League.

During the mainland period of the Republic of China, Chifeng, along with Chaoyang and Chengde, formed Rehe Province, and the Juu Uda League was established. In the 22nd year of the Republic of China (1933), Japanese forces occupied Rehe, placing it under the control of Manchukuo. It was recovered after the victory in the War of Resistance. On August 15, 1945 (the 34th year of the Republic of China), the southern parts belonged to the Rezhong, 22nd, and Reliao Special Districts established by the Rehe-Liaoning Administrative Office. In 1949, the northern part was the Juu Uda League of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, governing the four banners of Ar Horqin, Bairin Left, Bairin Right, and Hexigten, and Linxi County. The southern part, comprising the three banners of Aohan, Harqin, and Ongniud, and the three counties of Ningcheng, Chifeng, and Wudan, along with Chifeng City, belonged to Rehe Province.

On January 1, 1956, Rehe Province was abolished. The three banners of Aohan, Harqin, and Ongniud, and the three counties of Ningcheng, Chifeng, and Wudan under its jurisdiction were transferred to the Juu Uda League. The People's Committee of the Juu Uda League moved its seat from Lindong to Chifeng.

On July 5, 1969, the Juu Uda League was transferred from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to Liaoning Province.

On July 1, 1979, the Juu Uda League was transferred back from Liaoning Province to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

On October 10, 1983, the Juu Uda League Administrative Office was abolished, and Chifeng City was established.

3. Geography

3.1 Location

Chifeng City is situated in the upper reaches of the West Liao River, at the junction and composite zone of the southwestern section of the Greater Khingan Mountains, the Inner Mongolia Plateau, the West Liao River Plain, and the northern foothills of the Yanshan Mountains. To the southeast, Chifeng borders Chaoyang City of Liaoning Province; to the south, it is adjacent to Chengde City of Hebei Province; to the west, it neighbors the Xilingol League of Inner Mongolia; and to the northeast, it borders Tongliao City of Inner Mongolia. The total boundary length of Chifeng City is 2,123 kilometers.

The extreme points around Chifeng City are as follows: the easternmost point is at Chaolunbate'er Fangshancai in Shaogen Sumu, Ar Horqin Banner; the westernmost point is at Shaobuchagan Village in Darhan Ula Sumu, Hexigten Banner; the southernmost point is at the southern mountain of Habaqi Village in Shantou Township, Ningcheng County; the northernmost point is at the northern shore of Huite Zha Ha Nuo'er in Hure Tuguluban Nuo'er, Ar Horqin Banner. Chifeng spans 375 kilometers from east to west and 457.5 kilometers from north to south.

3.2 Topography

Chifeng City features a complex and diverse geographical environment with various landform types: mountains cover 15,972 square kilometers, accounting for 17.74% of the total area; high plains cover 4,740 square kilometers, accounting for 5.27%; lava plateaus cover 2,886 square kilometers, accounting for 3.21%; low mountains and hills cover 17,500 square kilometers, accounting for 19.44%; loess hills cover 20,619 square kilometers, accounting for 22.90%; river valley plains cover 7,358 square kilometers, accounting for 8.17%; and sandy lands cover 20,946 square kilometers, accounting for 23.27%. Overall, the topography is characterized as a mountainous and hilly region, with medium-low mountains and hills accounting for approximately 73.3% of the total land area. The terrain of the city is higher in the west and lower in the east, surrounded by mountains to the north, west, and south. The highest elevation in the west is 2,067 meters, while the lowest elevation in the east is less than 300 meters.

3.3 Climate

Chifeng has a continental temperate semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons and significant monsoon influences. Winters are cold and long, summers are hot and humid, while spring and autumn are relatively short. The average temperature in the coldest month (January) is -10.7°C, and in the hottest month (July) it is 23.6°C. The annual average temperature is 7.5°C.

4. Administrative Divisions

Chifeng City currently administers 3 municipal districts, 2 counties, and 7 banners.

• Municipal Districts: Hongshan District, Yuanbaoshan District, Songshan District
• Counties: Linxi County, Ningcheng County
• Banners: Ar Horqin Banner, Bairin Left Banner, Bairin Right Banner, Hexigten Banner, Ongniud Banner, Harqin Banner, Aohan Banner

5. Economy

In 2022, the city's regional GDP reached 214.84 billion yuan, an increase of 2.0% over the previous year. Specifically, the added value of the primary industry was 45.04 billion yuan, up by 4.0%; the added value of the secondary industry was 72.34 billion yuan, down by 1.1%; and the added value of the tertiary industry was 97.46 billion yuan, up by 3.1%. The ratio of the three industries was 21:33.7:45.3. The per capita regional GDP reached 53,577 yuan, an increase of 2.4% over the previous year.

6. Transportation

Chifeng Yulong Airport is located in Yulong Village, Niuyingzi Town, Harqin Banner, Chifeng City, serving both civilian and military purposes. It officially commenced operations at midnight on March 20, 2008, at which time the original Chifeng Airport was permanently closed, with all civil aviation flights transferred to Chifeng Yulong Airport for takeoffs and landings. The airport is capable of handling large aircraft up to the size of Boeing 747 for round-the-clock operations.

The Daguang Expressway and Danxi Expressway connect to the Chifeng Ring Expressway. National Highways 111 and 306 pass through the urban area of Chifeng.

Chifeng South Railway Station, located at Zhanqian Street, Hongshan District, Chifeng City, was opened in 1935 and is a second-class passenger and freight station under the administration of the Shenyang Railway Bureau. The railways passing through include the Beijing–Tongliao Railway, Yeji–Chifeng Railway, and Chifeng–Daban–Baotou Railway.

The Jining–Tongliao Railway passes through Hexigten Banner, Linxi County, Bairin Right Banner, and Bairin Left Banner in Chifeng City.

7. Education

The development of education in Chifeng City has achieved remarkable results in recent years, mainly reflected in the following aspects:

7.1 Improvement and Optimization of the Education System

Chifeng City has established a comprehensive education system covering multiple levels including preschool education, compulsory education, high school education, vocational education, and higher education, meeting the educational needs of different age groups and populations. In terms of preschool education, Chifeng City has added 35,279 new student places through the construction, renovation, and expansion of schools. The proportion of school-age children enrolled in public kindergartens has reached 63%, and the coverage rate of inclusive kindergartens has reached 90%. Regarding compulsory education, the consolidation rate of nine-year compulsory education is 101.17%, the gross enrollment rate for junior high school is 100.45%, and the enrollment rate for primary school-age children is 99.04%.

7.2 Construction of a High-Quality Education System

Chifeng City fully implements the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education and promotes the high-quality development of education. The city's education system actively establishes integrated communities for ideological and political education across universities, secondary, and primary schools, setting up 12 autonomous region-level practical bases for "major ideological and political education." All secondary and primary schools have achieved full coverage of the three national unified textbooks. Furthermore, the Chifeng Education Bureau has improved the quality of high schools at the county level by controlling class sizes and establishing municipal-level "Subject Chief Expert Studios," thereby promoting the initial development of distinctive features in regular high schools.

7.3 Vocational Education and Integration of Industry and Education

Chifeng City optimizes the layout of vocational education programs around key industrial chains, establishing entities such as the Chifeng Metallurgy and Chemical Industry-Education Consortium to deepen the integration of vocational education with the local economy. As a national-level training base for highly skilled personnel, Chifeng Agricultural and Animal Husbandry School emphasizes school-enterprise cooperation and the integration of industry and education, cultivating a large number of practical talents for rural revitalization.

7.4 Development of Higher Education

Chifeng University (soon to be renamed Chifeng University) is a vital component of higher education in Chifeng City, offering 56 undergraduate programs across 11 academic disciplines. The university has passed the Ministry of Education's undergraduate teaching audit and evaluation, been approved as a master's degree-granting institution, and has become a pilot institution for transformation and development in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

7.5 Development of the Teaching Workforce

Chifeng City strengthens the development of a high-quality, professional teaching workforce. Since 2023, 2,815 teachers have been recruited, and over 60 training projects have been conducted, involving more than 50,000 teacher participants. Additionally, through initiatives such as the "Strengthening Teacher Ethics, Forging the Teacher's Soul" series and special campaigns on teacher ethics and conduct, the ideological, political, and professional ethics of teachers have been enhanced.

7.6 Educational Equity and Balanced Development

Chifeng City narrows the gaps between urban and rural areas, regions, and schools through the Beijing-Inner Mongolia Cooperation "Education Doubling Plan," ensuring that every student has access to fairer and higher-quality education. Furthermore, Chifeng City focuses on addressing the issues of "difficulty in enrolling in kindergartens" and "high costs of kindergarten enrollment," achieving an inclusive kindergarten coverage rate of 88.63%.

7.7 Innovation and Reform

Chifeng City actively responds to national education reform initiatives by deepening education reforms, optimizing the allocation of educational resources, and improving education quality to create favorable conditions for cultivating more outstanding talents. For example, the Chifeng Education Bureau promotes the balanced allocation of high-quality resources in basic education and facilitates inter-school exchanges and cooperation through joint teaching and research activities.

Chifeng City's education sector has achieved significant results in infrastructure construction, education quality improvement, teaching workforce development, and vocational education advancement, providing strong support for promoting high-quality economic and social development in the region.

8. Population

By the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 4.001 million, a decrease of 18,100 from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban population was 2.186 million, and the rural population was 1.815 million. The urbanization rate of the permanent resident population reached 54.63%, an increase of 0.9 percentage points from the previous year. The male population was 2.032 million, and the female population was 1.969 million. The annual number of births was 21,600, with a birth rate of 5.39‰; the number of deaths was 31,800, with a mortality rate of 7.93‰.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 4,035,967. Compared with the 4,341,245 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a total decrease of 305,278 people over the ten years, a decline of 7.03%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.73%. Among them, the male population was 2,049,636, accounting for 50.78% of the total population; the female population was 1,986,331, accounting for 49.22% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 103.19. The population aged 0–14 was 619,079, accounting for 15.34% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 2,482,664, accounting for 61.51% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 934,224, accounting for 23.15% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 534,224, accounting for 13.24% of the total population. The urban population was 2,143,486, accounting for 53.11% of the total population; the rural population was 1,892,481, accounting for 46.89% of the total population.

According to the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the city's permanent resident population was 4,341,245. Compared with the Fifth National Population Census, there was a total decrease of 176,801 people over the ten years, a decline of 3.91%, with an average annual decrease of 0.40%. Among them, the male population was 2,233,288, accounting for 51.44%; the female population was 2,107,957, accounting for 48.56%. The sex ratio of the permanent resident population (with females as 100) was 105.95. The population aged 0–14 was 666,534, accounting for 15.35%; the population aged 15–64 was 3,350,599, accounting for 77.18%; and the population aged 65 and above was 324,112, accounting for 7.47%.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group numbered 3,062,422, accounting for 75.88%; the Mongol ethnic group numbered 814,470, accounting for 20.18%; and other ethnic minorities numbered 159,075, accounting for 3.94%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population decreased by 293,311, a decline of 8.74%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 1.42 percentage points. The total population of ethnic minorities decreased by 11,967, a decline of 1.21%, but their proportion of the total population increased by 1.42 percentage points. Among them, the Mongol population decreased by 15,354, a decline of 1.85%, but its proportion of the total population increased by 1.07 percentage points. The Manchu population increased by 1,961, a growth of 1.62%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.26 percentage points.

Ethnic Composition of Chifeng City (November 2020)

| Ethnic Group | Han | Mongol | Manchu | Hui | Korean | Miao | Daur | Zhuang | Dong | Other Ethnic Groups | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Population | 3,062,422 | 814,470 | 122,676 | 28,924 | 1,492 | 975 | 890 | 505 | 412 | 2,696 | | Percentage of Total Population (%) | 75.88 | 20.18 | 3.04 | 0.72 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.07 | | Percentage of Minority Population (%) | － | 83.66 | 12.60 | 2.97 | 0.15 | 0.10 | 0.09 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.28 |

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9. Culture

9.1 Tourist Attractions

• Hexigten Global Geopark
• Quaternary Glacial Relics
• Ulan Butong Ancient Battlefield
• Ningcheng County Tiger-Hunting Stone Reservoir
• Bashang Grassland
• Heili River Nature Reserve
• Daqing Gully
• Ruins of the Middle Capital of Liao
• Ar Horqin Banner Museum
• Harqin Banner Prince's Mansion

9.2 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Ruins of the Upper Capital of Liao
• Ruins of the Middle Capital of Liao
• Zhang Yingrui Family Cemetery
• Han Kuangsi Family Cemetery
• Jinshan Longquan Temple
• Lingyue Temple
• Baoshan Temple
• Zhenji Temple Grottoes
• Hongshan Site Complex
• Xiajiadian Site Complex
• Gangwa Kiln Site
• Xinglongwa Site
• Dadianzi Site
• Chengzishan Site
• Harqin Banner Prince's Mansion and Ancestral Temple
• Fuhui Temple
• Zhaobaogou Site
• Liao Dynasty Imperial Mausoleums and Associated Mausoleum Towns (including Huai Mausoleum and its town)
• Jiazishan Site Complex
• Dajing Ancient Copper Mine Site
• Ruins of Yingchang Road Ancient City
• Baoshan and Hansumu Tomb Complex
• Heicheng City Site
• Chaganhot City Site
• Baiyin Changhan Site
• Xinglonggou Site
• Weijiawopu Site
• Fuhegoumen Site
• Caomaoshan Site
• Majiazi Site
• Sanzuodian Stone City Site
• Erdaojingzi Site
• Taipingzhuang Site Complex
• Yinjiadian Mountain City Site
• Nanshangan Site
• Ruins of Raozhou Ancient City
• Ma'anshan Forest Park
• Qingzhou White Pagoda of Qing Mausoleum (as part of the Liao Imperial Mausoleums)
• Wu'an Zhou Site
• Ningchang Road Site
• Xiaobeishigou Tomb Complex
• Yelü Qi Family Tomb
• Yelü Cong Tomb
• Shariboot Tomb Complex
• Tomb of Princess Heshuo Duanjing
• Fanzong Temple
• Quanfu Temple
• Falun Temple
• Chifeng Qingzhen North Grand Mosque
• Hexigten Rock Painting Group

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Named after the Ulan Hada on the east bank of the Yingjin River. The name "Ulan Hada" in Mongolian means "red peak," referring to the reddish-brown mountain in the northeastern part of Chifeng city, commonly known as "Red Mountain," and elegantly referred to as "Chifeng."

Songshan District

Songshan District

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