Lianyungang (连云港)

1. Introduction

Lianyungang City, abbreviated as "Lian", historically known as Qu County, Qushan, and Haizhou, was called Xinhailian City in the early years of the People's Republic of China. It is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province, located along the northeastern coast of the province. The city borders Yancheng to the southeast, Huai'an to the south, Suqian to the southwest, Xuzhou to the west, Linyi of Shandong Province to the northwest, Rizhao of Shandong Province to the north, and faces the Yellow Sea to the east. Situated in the Huang-Huai Plain and the hilly area of the lower reaches of the Yi and Shu Rivers, the terrain is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, with Yünü Peak, the main peak of Yuntai Mountain in the central region, being the highest point in Jiangsu Province. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 69, Chaoyang East Road, Haizhou District.

Lianyungang is a coastal open city approved by the State Council and serves as the eastern bridgehead of the "New Eurasian Land Bridge," making it an important water and land transportation hub in northern Jiangsu. The Longhai and Coastal Railways, as well as the Shenyang–Haikou and Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressways, converge here. Lianyungang Port is a key port in East China and was included in the China (Jiangsu) Pilot Free Trade Zone and the Yangtze River Delta integration region in 2019. In 2021, Lianyungang Huaguoshan International Airport was completed.

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2. History

2.1 Prehistoric Period

Over 10,000 years ago, the Lianyungang area was already inhabited by human activity. In 1959, an ancient human site was discovered at the southern foot of Jinping Mountain in Haizhou District. In 1979, the Daxianzhuang ancient human activity site was discovered in Donghai County. In the same year, the General Cliff Rock Carvings were discovered, confirming them as a major relic of the ancient Dongyi people.

2.2 Pre-Qin Period

During the Xia and Shang dynasties, the Lianyungang area belonged to Qingzhou or Xuzhou, primarily a region of activity for the Dongyi people.

During the Western Zhou period, the western part was the territory of the Tan State; the northern part had states like Zhuqi.

During the Spring and Autumn period, Ganyu County in the north belonged to the Ju State, while the western part was the eastern border of the Lu State. In the late Spring and Autumn period, the southern state of Wu expanded here. After the fall of Wu, it came under the control of the Yue State.

During the Warring States period, it was contested by the Qi and Chu states.

2.3 Qin and Han Dynasties

After the Qin dynasty conquered the six states, Qu County was established here, belonging to Xue Commandery. Later, Xue Commandery was split to form Tan Commandery, and Qu County fell under Tan Commandery's jurisdiction. In the 35th year of Qin Shi Huang (212 BC), a stone was erected at the boundary of Qu County on the East Sea, declaring Qu as the "Eastern Gate of Qin," located in present-day Haizhou.

During the Western Han period, most of the area belonged to Donghai Commandery. The Ganyu region belonged to Langya Commandery. The southern areas of Guanyun and Guannan once formed Haixi County, which was later reincorporated into Qu County. The main counties and marquisates within the territory were: Qu County (present-day Lianyungang urban area), Quyang (a marquisate, in southern Donghai County), Dong'an (a marquisate, around the Henggou Township area in northern Donghai County), Tan, Licheng (eastern Linshu County and southwestern Ganyu County), Zhuqi (belonging to Langya Commandery, located in central and northwestern Ganyu), Haixi (present-day Guanyun and Guannan area), Houqiu (northern Shuyang and southern Donghai County), Ganyu (eastern Ganyu).

During the Eastern Han period, the number of counties decreased, but the area still belonged to Donghai Commandery. The main counties and marquisates included Qu County, Quyang, Houqiu, Zhuqi, Licheng, Ganyu, etc.

2.4 Six Dynasties Period

During the Three Kingdoms period, it belonged to the state of Wei. The region had counties such as Qu, Haixi, Quyang, Houqiu, Zhuqi, and Licheng. Among them, Qu, Houqiu, Zhuqi, and Licheng belonged to the Donghai Kingdom, while Quyang belonged to Xiapi Commandery.

In the early Western Jin, the Donghai Kingdom was still established, later restored to Donghai Commandery, with its seat remaining at Tan. The region contained counties such as Qu, Ganyu, Zhuqi, Licheng, Haixi, and Houqiu. Haixi County was abolished and merged into Qu County.

In the late Eastern Jin, during Emperor Wu of Song Liu Yu's northern expedition, this area was regained by the Jin.

During the Southern Qi, the provinces of Qing, Ji, and Xu, along with commanderies like Beihai, Langya, Dongguan, and Donghai, were established in exile. They administered Ganyu and Duchang. Donghai County was renamed Guangrao County, and Tong County was also known as Houqiu County.

During the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang, Qu County was renamed Zhaoyuan. Tongyang Commandery was established in the present-day Shuyang area, and Longju County was set up in the northern part of present-day Guanyun. The two provinces of Qingzhou (north and south) were re-established here. However, the northwestern counties of Zhuqi and Licheng were held by Wei. Other counties included Ganyu, Duchang, and Guangrao.

In the 7th year of the Wuding era of Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei (549 AD), Wei occupied the areas north of the Yangtze, and this entire region came under Wei control.

During the Northern Qi and Northern Zhou periods, Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi moved the seat of Haizhou to Langya Commandery. Langya Commandery was renamed Qushan Commandery. Donghai County was established by dividing Guangrao County.

2.5 Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

During the Northern Song, it belonged to the Huainan East Circuit. During the Jin dynasty, it belonged to the Shandong East Circuit. After the Red Turban Rebellion, it returned to the Southern Song, still under the Huainan East Circuit.

During the Yuan dynasty, it belonged to the Huaidong Circuit of the Henan Jiangbei Province. In the 15th year of the Zhiyuan era (1278), Haizhou was elevated to Haizhou Route, later changed to Haining Prefecture. Shortly after, it was demoted back to a Zhou (sub-prefecture), subordinate to Huaian Route. It administered three counties: Qushan, Ganyu, and Shuyang.

In the early Hongwu era of the Ming dynasty, Haining Zhou was restored to Haizhou. Qushan County was abolished and merged into the Zhou seat. It was subordinate to Huaian Prefecture, administering only Ganyu County. Shuyang County was separated and assigned to Huaian Prefecture. After Emperor Chengzu moved the capital to Beiping and changed Yingtian to the Southern Directly Administered Area, Huaian Prefecture belonged to the Southern Directly Administered Area.

In the early Qing dynasty, the Southern Directly Administered Area was changed to Jiangnan Province. Haizhou belonged to it, still subordinate to Huaian Prefecture, under the Jiangnan Jiangning Administration Commission. On June 17th, 1668 (7th year of the Kangxi era), the Tancheng earthquake caused the beach in Ganyu County to rise, and the sea receded 30 li. The sea around the Yuntai area gradually became shallower. In 1724 (2nd year of the Yongzheng era), Haizhou was elevated to a Directly Administered Zhou, directly under Jiangsu Province, belonging to the Huaixu Circuit. Simultaneously, Shuyang was transferred to Haizhou, administering the Zhou seat, Ganyu, and Shuyang. In 1803 (8th year of the Jiaqing era), it was transferred to the Huaiyang Circuit. In 1855 (5th year of the Xianfeng era), the Yellow River underwent a major course change, turning northeast and flowing into the sea via the Daqing River, ending 700 years of flowing into the sea via the Huai River. The present-day Yuntai area gradually silted up and became connected to the mainland.

2.6 Republic of China to Present

In 1912 (1st year of the Republic), the Directly Administered Haizhou Zhou was abolished. Except for Shuyang and Ganyu counties, the original jurisdiction formed the new Donghai County, belonging to the Xuhai Circuit. In April of the same year, the southeastern part of Donghai County was separated to form Guanyun County. In March 1958, Guannan County was separated from Guanyun County.

In 1932, local efforts began for new harbor construction. Various social sectors and the managers of the Longhai Railway—the Longhai Railway Bureau—hoped to establish a new city to promote harbor and local development. For this purpose, the Jiangsu Provincial Government began preparations in 1935 to establish Lianyun City. In April of the same year, the Lianyun City Municipal Preparatory Office was established. During the War of Resistance against Japan, it was occupied by the Japanese army. After Japan's unconditional surrender in 1945, the Nationalist Government officially established Lianyun City (an ordinary city). In October 1945, the Lianyun City Government was formally established, with Zhang Zhenhan appointed as mayor, officially taking office on April 30, 1946.

In early 1949, after the Second Chinese Civil War, the regime was re-established. Haizhou and Xinpu from Donghai County were separated to form Xinhai City, which merged with Lianyun City to establish the Xinhailian Special District. It was later renamed Xinhailian City (or Xinhailian Special Administrative Region), subordinate to the Lunan Administrative Office of Shandong Province.

At the end of 1952, the Sunan, Subei, Xuhai regions, and Nanjing City of the East China Greater Administrative Region merged to form the new Jiangsu Province. Xinhailian City was directly administered by Jiangsu Province. However, the four counties originally belonging to the Haizhou area—Donghai, Ganyu, Shuyang, and Guanyun—were assigned to the administrative offices of the Xuzhou and Huaiyin regions respectively.

In 1961, Xinhailian City was renamed Lianyungang City, directly administered by Jiangsu Province.

In 1983, the state piloted the prefecture-city system reform (city administering counties) in Jiangsu. The original Haizhou area, except for Shuyang, was again placed under Lianyungang City. The jurisdiction of Lianyungang City largely restored the old boundaries of the Directly Administered Haizhou Zhou of the Qing period.

In 1996, Jiangsu Province adjusted county and city administrative divisions, and Guannan County was incorporated into Lianyungang City.

In 2001, Yuntai District was abolished and merged into Xinpu and Lianyun Districts.

In 2008, Gangbu and Punan from Donghai County were incorporated into the urban area.

In 2009, Banpu Town from Guanyun County was incorporated into the urban area.

In 2010, the Jiangsu Province Qingkou Saltworks, Jiangsu Province Dongxin Farm, and a naval agricultural and sideline production base were incorporated into the urban area.

In 2014, Xinpu District and the original Haizhou District of Lianyungang City were abolished and merged to form the new Haizhou District.

3. Geography

3.1 Location

Lianyungang is geographically located between 34° and 35°07' north latitude, and 118°24' and 119°48' east longitude. It borders the Haizhou Bay of the Yellow Sea to the east, Xiangshui County of Yancheng City to the southeast, Lianshui County of Huai'an City to the south, Shuyang County of Suqian City to the southwest, Xinyi City of Xuzhou City and Tancheng County of Linyi, Shandong to the west, Linshu County of Linyi City, Shandong to the northwest, and Junan County of Linyi City and Rizhao City, Shandong to the north.

3.2 Topography

Lianyungang is situated at the junction of the hills of central and southern Shandong and the Jianghuai Plain, with higher terrain in the west and coastal plains in the east. The area features a combination of sea, mountains, and plains, with mudflats and wetlands along the coastline.

The mountains within the area are primarily extensions of the Yimeng Mountains, stretching nearly 300 kilometers. There are 214 peaks of various sizes, mainly including Southern Yuntai Mountain, Central Yuntai Mountain, Northern Yuntai Mountain, Jinping Mountain, Maling Mountain, Yu Mountain, Jia Mountain, and Dayi Mountain. The Jade Maiden Peak of Southern Yuntai Mountain, with an elevation of 624.4 meters, is also the highest point in Jiangsu Province.

There are 21 islands and reefs along the coast, including 9 islands with a total area of 6.06 square kilometers. These include East-West Liandao, Ge Island, Zhu Island, Yangshan Island, Kaishan Island, Qinshan Island, Cheniushan Island, Dashan Island, and Ping Island. Among them, East-West Liandao is the largest island in Jiangsu, covering an area of 5.4 square kilometers.

Lianyungang City boasts a complete range of coastal types, with a standard coastline of 162 kilometers, including bedrock coastline unique to Jiangsu.

3.3 Climate

Lianyungang City is located on the northern edge of the northern subtropical zone. The average temperature of the coldest month is 1°C, the annual average temperature is 14.8°C, and the frost-free period is approximately 230 days. The prevailing wind direction is southeasterly. Moderated by the ocean, the climate type is a humid monsoon climate. Climatic characteristics include distinct seasons and moderate temperatures. The historical average annual precipitation is 905 mm, but rainfall is unevenly distributed, concentrated mainly in summer, with relatively severe droughts occurring in spring and autumn.

Lianyungang City Meteorological Data (1991-2020)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------|----------|----------|----------| | Avg High (℃ / °F) | 5.6 (42.1) | 8.4 (47.1) | 13.8 (56.8) | 20.2 (68.4) | 25.5 (77.9) | 29.2 (84.6) | 31.0 (87.8) | 30.3 (86.5) | 26.9 (80.4) | 21.8 (71.2) | 14.7 (58.5) | 7.9 (46.2) | 19.6 (67.3) | | Daily Mean (℃ / °F) | 1.0 (33.8) | 3.4 (38.1) | 8.3 (46.9) | 14.5 (58.1) | 20.0 (68.0) | 24.1 (75.4) | 27.1 (80.8) | 26.6 (79.9) | 22.6 (72.7) | 16.7 (62.1) | 9.8 (49.6) | 3.2 (37.8) | 14.8 (58.6) | | Avg Low (℃ / °F) | -2.6 (27.3) | -0.6 (30.9) | 3.7 (38.7) | 9.6 (49.3) | 15.3 (59.5) | 20.0 (68.0) | 24.0 (75.2) | 23.7 (74.7) | 19.0 (66.2) | 12.6 (54.7) | 5.8 (42.4) | -0.5 (31.1) | 10.8 (51.5) | | Avg Precipitation (mm / in) | 17.5 (0.69) | 22.3 (0.88) | 33.0 (1.30) | 42.5 (1.67) | 63.9 (2.52) | 106.6 (4.20) | 252.5 (9.94) | 198.5 (7.81) | 79.7 (3.14) | 33.4 (1.31) | 36.0 (1.42) | 18.7 (0.74) | 904.6 (35.62) | | Avg Relative Humidity (%) | 66 | 66 | 64 | 65 | 69 | 74 | 82 | 83 | 76 | 70 | 69 | 66 | 71 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Lianyungang City currently administers 3 municipal districts and 3 counties.

• Municipal Districts: Lianyun District, Haizhou District, Ganyu District
• Counties: Donghai County, Guanyun County, Guannan County

Additionally, Lianyungang City has established the following economic functional zones: the National-level Lianyungang Economic and Technological Development Zone and the Xuwei New Area.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|---------------------|------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 320700 | Lianyungang City | Liányúngǎng Shì | 7,615.29 | 4,599,360 | Haizhou District | 222000 | 30 | 53 | 7 | | 320703 | Lianyun District | Liányún Qū | 797.10 | 292,762 | Haizhouwan Subdistrict | 222000 | 12 | 1 | | | 320706 | Haizhou District | Hǎizhōu Qū | 700.71 | 918,005 | Xinpu Subdistrict | 222000 | 15 | 4 | | | 320707 | Ganyu District | Gànyú Qū | 1,514.08 | 1,003,844 | Qingkou Town | 222100 | | 15 | | | 320722 | Donghai County | Dōnghǎi Xiàn | 2,036.66 | 1,047,357 | Niushan Subdistrict | 222300 | 2 | 11 | 6 | | 320723 | Guanyun County | Guànyún Xiàn | 1,538.33 | 725,047 | Yishan Town | 222200 | 1 | 12 | | | 320724 | Guannan County | Guànnán Xiàn | 1,028.41 | 612,345 | Xin'an Town | 222500 | | 11 | |

5. Economy

Lianyungang's industry is primarily focused on petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, while its agriculture is dominated by crop farming. In 2018, the city's GDP reached 277.2 billion yuan, with a per capita GDP of 61,000 yuan. The per capita disposable income for urban permanent residents was 33,000 yuan, while for rural permanent residents it was 17,000 yuan.

5.1 Industry

The Lianyungang Petrochemical Industrial Park is one of the seven nationally planned petrochemical industrial parks and the only one located in Jiangsu. Lianyungang is home to four listed pharmaceutical companies: Hengrui Medicine, Kanion Pharmaceutical, Hansoh Pharmaceutical, and Chia Tai Tianqing. The total market value of the pharmaceutical industry in the city ranks among the top three in the country, reaching as high as 216.62 billion yuan.

5.2 Energy

Emerging industries have developed relatively rapidly, with carbon fiber, wind power, and solar energy industries all having a presence in the city. The Tianwan Nuclear Power Base is one of China's nuclear power bases, currently operating two units, with four more under construction and two additional reactors planned for the future. Donghai County has silicon reserves exceeding 600 million tons, and its crystal production and quality rank first in the country, earning it the title of "Crystal Hometown." The rutile ore reserves exceed 2.5 million tons. The Jinping Phosphate Mine in Haizhou District, established in 1919, is China's first large-scale phosphate mine.

5.3 Foreign Trade

Lianyungang Port is one of China's important seaports, particularly one of the most significant container ports. In 2011, the port's throughput reached 166 million tons, an increase of over 31 million tons year-on-year, representing a growth rate of 23% and setting a record for the highest annual increment. Container throughput reached 4.85 million TEUs, an increase of 980,000 TEUs year-on-year, representing a growth rate of 25%. In 2011, the port's main cargo categories performed excellently, with ten categories achieving double-digit growth. Among them, iron ore maintained high incremental growth, exceeding 48 million tons, and transshipped iron ore broke the 10-million-ton mark. Coal throughput reached 18.51 million tons. Lateritic nickel ore operations approached 8 million tons, with a growth rate of 82%.

5.4 Food Industry

Lianyungang is located in the Huaibei Salt Field and has historically been a major salt-producing area. Tanggou Distillery, along with Yanghe, Shuanggou, and Gaogou, is known as the "Three Ditches and One River." From the 1980s to the early 1990s, it consistently held a leading position in the second tier of China's liquor industry.

5.5 Agriculture and Fisheries

The main crops are rice and wheat, with abundant production of cotton, soybeans, and peanuts. The region also produces timber, melons, fruits, mulberry tea, bamboo, medicinal herbs, pastures, and wild and aquatic plants. The Yunwu Tea from Yuntai Mountain is one of the three famous teas in Jiangsu. The Haizhou Bay Fishing Ground is one of the eight major fishing grounds in China. The Qiansan Island Sea Area is the only marine delicacy base in Jiangsu Province, primarily producing sea cucumbers, scallops, abalone, and other seafood. Coastal and inland waters mainly produce prawns, kelp, laver, and freshwater fish. The Shilianghe Reservoir is also rich in whitebait.

6. Transportation

6.1 Aviation

In 1932, Yangwei Airport was constructed in Donghai County. The following year, the Eurasian Aviation Corporation's coastal route from Nanjing to Beiping (now Beijing) included a stop at Haizhou Station. In 1959, the Xinhailian Airport was built, but it never officially opened for service after its trial flight in 1961.

In 1955, the Nanjing Military Region Air Force began constructing the Lianyungang Baitabu Airport. In 1985, the airport commenced civil aviation services. Today, Lianyungang Baitabu Airport is located in the western part of Baitabu Town, Donghai County, approximately 29 kilometers from the city center and 12 kilometers from Donghai County's urban area. As of February 2015, it offered direct flights to 15 cities, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Tianjin, Shenyang, Xi'an, Haikou, Harbin, Xuzhou (Jiangsu), and Zhoushan (Zhejiang).

On December 2, 2021, the new Lianyungang Huaguoshan Airport officially opened, and concurrently, passenger services at Lianyungang Baitabu Airport were terminated.

6.2 Maritime Shipping

Centered around the Lianyun main port area, construction has also been undertaken on the northern Ganyu and Qiansandao port areas, as well as the southern Xuwei and Guanhe areas. Currently, the port boasts 35 berths of various types, including container, bulk cargo, passenger-roll-on-roll-off, and general cargo berths, of which 30 are capable of handling vessels over 10,000 tons. It has established shipping connections with ports in over 160 countries and regions, operating more than 40 container and freight liner routes to Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Northeast Asia, and Southeast Asia. Additionally, it has opened two large passenger-container liner routes to Incheon and Pyeongtaek in South Korea.

6.3 Railway

Lianyungang is the eastern terminus of the Longhai Railway, one of China's major trunk railways, and serves as the eastern bridgehead of the New Eurasian Land Bridge. This land bridge starts from Lianyungang Port in the east, runs westward along the Longhai and Lanxin Railways to the Khorgos Port in Xinjiang, exits China, traverses Central Asia, and reaches the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Regular cross-border container block train services have been established, forming an international sea-land intermodal transport system.

As part of the planned coastal railway network, the Qingyan (Qingdao-Yancheng) Railway passes through Lianyungang, connecting Qingdao and Yancheng. The Lianyungang-Huaian section of the Lianhuaiyangzhen (Lianyungang-Huai'an-Yangzhou-Zhenjiang) Railway is already operational.

Several railway projects are under construction or planned, including the Xulian (Xuzhou-Lianyungang) Passenger Dedicated Line with a design speed of 350 km/h, as well as the planned Lianlin (Lianyungang-Linyi) Railway and Ninglian (Nanjing-Lianyungang) Railway. The Lianyungang Suburban Railway (Lianyungang-Lianyun section) was scheduled to open in December 2019.

6.4 Highway

Three main arteries of China's National Expressway Network converge and form a network within Lianyungang: the G15 Shenyang-Haikou Expressway (Fenguan and Lianyan sections), the G25 Changchun-Shenzhen Expressway (Lianlin and Ninglian sections), and the G30 Lianyungang-Khorgos Expressway (Lianxu section). These are integrated with Jiangsu provincial expressways S72 (Lianyungang North Port Access) and S73 (Lianyungang East Port Access) to form a comprehensive expressway network covering the entire city.

Within the National Trunk Highway network, several national highways intersect in Lianyungang: G310 (Lianyungang to Tianshui), G327 (Lianyungang to Heze), and G204 (Yantai to Shanghai). G233 also passes through the area.

Major provincial trunk highways include: S236 (Donghai Shan Zuokou to Huaiyin), S242 (Ganyu Heilin to Guanyun Yangji), S323 (Lianyungang to Xuzhou), and S324 (Guanyun Yanweigang to Suining). Additionally, a coastal high-grade highway running longitudinally through the tidal flat areas of northern Jiangsu is under construction.

Due to its unique historical development forming a "one city, two urban areas" pattern, Lianyungang's urban core consists of the Xinhai urban area and the eastern urban area (Lianyun District). They are connected by Xincheng Avenue (formerly Xinxu Highway). Another major thoroughfare, Huaguoshan Avenue, planned as the city's central axis, intersects with Xincheng Avenue at Houzui.

6.5 Urban Transport

Lianyungang's urban areas are relatively dispersed, with the eastern urban area located about 20 kilometers from the Xinhai urban area. The main bus routes connecting the eastern and western urban areas are numbers 101, 102, 103, 105, and 106. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, launched at the end of 2012, has gradually replaced the original 10X series buses. Line 1 of the BRT system consists of the main line B1, loop lines H1 and H2, and supporting feeder lines (B11, B12, B13, B15). The entire system spans 136.9 kilometers, with the main line covering 34 km, loop lines 18 km, and feeder lines 84.9 km. It connects all directions of Lianyungang's urban areas, integrating them into a cohesive network described as a "one main, two loops, four feeders" BRT system. The construction of Lianyungang BRT Line 1, from start to operation, took only eight months, making it the BRT line with the shortest construction period in Jiangsu Province at the time. It was also the third true BRT system in the province, following those in Changzhou and Yancheng. Currently, BRT Line 2 has completed construction of its roads, stations, and ancillary facilities and is set to open soon.

Taxi models in Lianyungang include Santana, Santana Vista, Hongqi, and Jetta. In 2009, the taxi fare started at 5 yuan for the first 2 kilometers, with an additional 1.6 yuan per kilometer thereafter. A 1 yuan fuel surcharge per trip was added starting March 2012.

7. Education

• Jiangsu Ocean University
• Lianyungang Vocational and Technical College
• Lianyungang Teachers College
• Jiangsu Xinhai Senior High School
• Jiangsu Donghai Senior High School
• Jiangsu Ganyu Senior High School
• Jiangsu Haizhou Senior High School
• Jiangsu Haitou Senior High School
• Jiangsu Guanyun Senior High School
• Jiangsu Guannan Senior High School
• Jiangsu Baita Senior High School
• Jiangsu Lianyungang Senior High School
• Jiangsu Ganma Senior High School
• Jiangsu Ganyu No.1 High School

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 4,599,360. Compared with the 4,393,482 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 205,878 people over the past decade, representing a growth of 4.69%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.46%. Among them, the male population was 2,335,249, accounting for 50.77% of the total population; the female population was 2,264,111, accounting for 49.23% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 103.14. The population aged 0–14 was 984,112, accounting for 21.4% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 2,676,755, accounting for 58.2% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 938,493, accounting for 20.4% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 672,704, accounting for 14.63% of the total population. The population residing in urban areas was 2,829,565, accounting for 61.52% of the total population; the population residing in rural areas was 1,769,795, accounting for 38.48% of the total population.

By the end of 2022, the permanent resident population of Lianyungang City was 4.6005 million, a decrease of 1,500 people compared to the end of the previous year.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group numbered 4,588,537, accounting for 99.76%; ethnic minorities numbered 10,823, accounting for 0.24%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population increased by 201,662, a growth of 4.6%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.08 percentage points; the ethnic minority population increased by 4,216, a growth of 63.81%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.08 percentage points.

The local population is predominantly Han, with minorities such as Hui, Manchu, and Korean also present.

8.2 Dialects

The Lianyungang region is situated at the intersection of northern and southern China, resulting in a transitional state of local dialects with significant variations between north and south, as well as east and west. Jianghuai Mandarin, Jiaoliao Mandarin, and Zhongyuan Mandarin are the main dialects in the area. The northern part of Donghai County and the western part of Ganyu County primarily belong to the Xuhuai subgroup of Zhongyuan Mandarin; the eastern part of Ganyu County represents the southern edge of the Qinglai subgroup of Jiaoliao Mandarin. The urban area of Lianyungang, the southern part of Donghai County, Guanyun County, and Guannan County belong to the Hongchao subgroup of Jianghuai Mandarin. Jianghuai Mandarin covers 70% of the city's population and is the dominant dialect of the city.

Generally, speakers of Zhongyuan Mandarin and Jiaoliao Mandarin in the city find it difficult to understand Jianghuai Mandarin. Consequently, with economic development and internal population mobility, Mandarin Chinese has become increasingly influential in the city, especially in urban areas.

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9. Sister Cities

9.1 International Sister Cities

Lianyungang City currently has a total of 8 formal sister city relationships:

• Sakai City, Japan — December 1983
• Mokpo, South Korea — July 1993
• Napier, New Zealand — June 1994
• Geelong, Australia — July 1994
• Volzhsky, Russia — December 1997
• Saga City, Japan — November 1998
• Sabadell, Spain — September 2009
• Bishkek City, Kyrgyzstan — October 2015

9.2 Friendly Exchange Cities

• Shingu City, Japan
• Weilburg, Germany
• Houston, USA

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Haizhou District

Donghai County

Han Chinese population accounts for 99.76%; ethnic minorities account for 0.24%

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