Lvliang (吕梁)

1. Introduction

Lüliang City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China, located in the western part of Shanxi. It borders Xinzhou City to the north, Taiyuan City to the east, Jinzhong City to the southeast, Linfen City to the south, and faces Yulin City in Shaanxi Province across the Yellow River to the west. Situated on the Loess Plateau along the eastern bank of the Yellow River, the Lüliang Mountains run through the entire territory, with the eastern part being the Taiyuan Basin. The Fen River and its tributary, the Wenyu River, flow along the eastern edge of the city, while the Weifen River, Qiushui River, and Sanchuan River traverse the western region and empty into the Yellow River. Lüliang is an important coal-producing city in Shanxi, with abundant reserves of coking coal. The People's Government of Lüliang City is located on Yongning Middle Road in Lishi District.

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2. History

2.1 Ancient Times

Lüliang's history can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period. At that time, Lüliang contained settlements such as Quyi, Pinglingyi, Zhongyangyi, and Guayan County. In 376 BC, after the partition of Jin by the three families of Han, Zhao, and Wei, Lüliang fell within the territory of the State of Zhao, containing areas like Zhongyang, Zishi, and Daling. In the fourth year of King Zhuangxiang of Qin's reign (246 BC), after the establishment of Taiyuan Commandery, it became part of Taiyuan Commandery, containing counties like Daling and Zishi. This arrangement continued until the early years of the Han Dynasty.

In the fourth year of the Yuanshuo era of Emperor Wu of Han (125 BC), after the establishment of Xihe Commandery, Lüliang was divided among Xihe Commandery, Taiyuan Commandery, and the Silibu region. Daling, Pingtao, and Zishi were counties under Taiyuan Commandery; Lin, Gaolang, Zhongyang, Lishi, Tujun, Xicheng, and Linshui were counties under Xihe Commandery; Puzi and Huzhe were under the direct jurisdiction of the Silijiaowei. After Wang Mang usurped the Han Dynasty, Lin was renamed Taohao, Zishi County was renamed Zitong, Daling County was renamed Daning, Pingtao County was renamed Duorang, and Linshui County was renamed Jianshui. At the beginning of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the counties reverted to their original names. In the early Eastern Han, Lüliang belonged to the three commanderies of Xihe, Taiyuan, and Hedong. Lishi, Lin, Gaolang, Linshui, Zhongyang, and Pingzhou were counties under Xihe Commandery; Puzi County belonged to Hedong Commandery. In the autumn of the fifth year of the Yonghe era (140 AD), the Xiongnu Chanyu Juolong Wang Cheniu led tens of thousands of Wuhuan, Qiangrong, and various Hu peoples to invade, "so the seat of Xihe was moved to Lishi." In the same year, Linshui County was merged into Lishi. During the Zhongping era, Meiji County "moved south into the territory of Zishi County and was soon abolished." In the 21st year of the Jian'an era (218 AD), "the Southern Xiongnu submitted," with the left tribe residing in Zishi and the central tribe in Daling.

During the Three Kingdoms period, it was within the territory of the State of Wei. In the second year of the Huangchu era (221 AD), Xihe Commandery was established, with its seat at Zishi County, governing counties like Lishi and Zhongyang; Daling and Pingtao counties still belonged to Taiyuan Commandery, and Puzi County remained under Pingyang Commandery.

Western Jin Dynasty. All counties in the entire region were divided between the Kingdom of Xihe and the Kingdom of Taiyuan. The subordinate counties remained unchanged, only Zishi County was renamed Xicheng. During the Eastern Jin and Sixteen Kingdoms period, the region was relatively chaotic. In the first year of Shi Le of the Later Zhao (319 AD), "due to the desolation of Lishi County," Yongshi Commandery was established, soon renamed Xihe. Later Yan established the Lishi Garrison. After the Yongxing era, Xihe Commandery was merged into Taiyuan Commandery.

At the beginning of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Lüliang was part of Taiyuan Commandery, containing counties like Daling, Pingtao, and Zishi. In the early Tianxing years, Lishi Garrison was added. In the third year of the Yanhe era (434 AD), Tujing Garrison was established. In the ninth year of the Taiping Zhenjun era (448 AD), Lingdong and Lingxi counties were established under Tujing Garrison. Pingtao County was moved out of the region, and Daling County was renamed Shouyang. In the eighth year of the Taihe era (484 AD), Xihe Commandery was re-established. In the tenth year of the Taihe era (486 AD), Tujing Garrison was changed to Tujing Commandery. In the same year, Puzi County was abolished, and Fenzhou was established, with Tujing, Xihe, and five other commanderies under its jurisdiction. In the seventeenth year of the Taihe era (493 AD), Yong'an County was established. In the twenty-first year of the Taihe era (497 AD), Lingdong County was renamed Xincheng, and Lingxi County was renamed Tujing.

Eastern Wei Dynasty. Lüliang remained within the territories of Fenzhou and Taiyuan Commandery. Fenzhou governed commanderies like Xihe and Tujing; Xicheng and Yong'an counties belonged to Xihe Commandery; Tujing and Xincheng counties belonged to Tujing Commandery; Shouyang County still belonged to Taiyuan Commandery, and the Lishi area still had the Lishi Garrison.

During the Northern Qi and Northern Zhou period, Lüliang was a contested area between the two regimes. The starting point of the Great Wall built by Hulü Jin of Northern Qi—Jinsuo Pass—was located on Huanglu Ridge within the region, and its ruins still exist today. At that time, Lüliang contained Xifenzhou Huaizheng Commandery, Nanshuozhou Xihe Commandery, Tujing Commandery Shenwu Commandery, and Bingzhou Taiyuan Capital. Nanshuozhou was renamed from Fenzhou, with its seat still at Xicheng, and Xihe Commandery was subordinate to it. Lishi Garrison was changed to Huaizheng Commandery, governing counties like Changhua and Liangquan. Yufen County belonged to Shenwu Commandery. Shouyang County belonged to Taiyuan Commandery. Tujing and Xincheng counties belonged to Tujing Commandery, later, due to the abolition of commanderies, they were transferred to Huaizheng Commandery. During the Jiande era of Northern Zhou, Xifenzhou was renamed Shizhou; during the Daxiang era, Nanshuozhou was renamed Jiezhou; and Dinghu, Kuhu, and Wutu counties and their corresponding commanderies were added.

2.2 Medieval Period

Sui Dynasty. Lüliang was divided among Lishi Commandery, Xihe Commandery, Taiyuan Commandery, Loufan Commandery, and Longquan Commandery. Counties like Lishi, Xiuhua (renamed from Kuhu County), Taihe (renamed from Wutu County), Pingyi, Dinghu, and Ningxiang belonged to Lishi Commandery. Xihe Commandery governed Xicheng and Yong'an counties. Shouyang County still belonged to Taiyuan Commandery. Lancheng County belonged to Loufan Commandery. Shilou County belonged to Longquan Commandery.

Tang Dynasty. Lüliang was divided among Shizhou, Fenzhou, Xizhou, Lanzhou, and Bingzhou (later renamed Taiyuan Prefecture). Xihe (renamed from Xicheng County) and Xiaoyi (renamed from Yong'an County) counties belonged to Fenzhou. Lishi, Pingyi, Dinghu, Linquan, and Fangshan belonged to Shizhou. Yifang and Hehe counties belonged to Lanzhou. Shilou and Wenquan counties belonged to Xizhou. Jiaocheng and Wenshui counties belonged to Bingzhou (Taiyuan Prefecture).

Song Dynasty. Lüliang was divided among Shizhou, Fenzhou, Lanzhou, Xizhou, Jinning Army, and Taiyuan Prefecture. Lishi, Pingyi, and Fangshan were counties under Shizhou. Xihe and Xiaoyi were counties under Fenzhou. Yifang and Hehe were counties under Lanzhou. Shilou and Wenquan were counties under Xizhou. Dinghu and Linquan were counties under Jinning Army. Jiaocheng and Wenshui counties were under Taiyuan Prefecture.

Jin Dynasty. Only Jinning Army was abolished, and its subordinate counties were transferred to Shizhou. The affiliations of other prefectures and counties remained unchanged.

Yuan Dynasty. Most of Lüliang was under the jurisdiction of Taiyuan Circuit (later renamed Jining Circuit). Within its territory were Jiaocheng County, Wenshui County, Xingzhou, Lanzhou, Linzhou, Shizhou (governing Lishi County and Ningxiang County), and Fenzhou (governing Xihe County and Xiaoyi County). Shilou was a county under Jinning Circuit.

Early Ming Dynasty. Except for Shilou County, which belonged to Xizhou, all prefectures and counties within Lüliang belonged to Taiyuan Prefecture. Counties included Xingxian, Lanxian, Linxian, Jiaocheng, and Wenshui. Prefectures included Shizhou (governing Ningxiang County) and Fenzhou (governing Xiaoyi County). In the fifth month of the 23rd year of the Wanli era (1595 AD), Fenzhou was elevated to a prefecture, and Fenyang County was established as its seat. The counties originally under Taiyuan Prefecture, Linxian, Yongning Prefecture and its subordinate Ningxiang County, and the counties originally under Fenzhou were transferred to Fenzhou Prefecture, with the prefectural seat at Fenyang County town. In the 40th year of the Wanli era (1612 AD), Shilou County was transferred to Fenzhou Prefecture. The Qing Dynasty followed the Ming system, and the administrative divisions remained unchanged.

2.3 Modern Times

In the first year of the Republic of China (1912 AD), the Fenzhou Prefecture was abolished. Yongning Prefecture was abolished and changed to a county. In January of the third year (1914 AD), Yongning County was renamed Lishi, and Ningxiang County was renamed Zhongyang. In the seventh year of the Republic of China (1918 AD), Fangshan County was added. During the War of Resistance Against Japan and the Liberation War, all counties in Lüliang belonged to the Shanxi-Suiyuan Border Region Administrative Office.

In September 1949, after the establishment of the Shanxi Provincial People's Government, Xingxian Special District and Fenyang Special District were set up. Xingxian Special District governed 11 counties including Xingxian, Linxian, Lishi, Fangshan, and Lanxian. Fenyang Special District governed 9 counties including Fenyang, Xiaoyi, Jiaocheng, Wenshui, Zhongyang, and Shilou.

On March 27, 1951, Fenyang Special District was abolished. Counties like Jiaocheng, Wenshui, Fenyang, and Xiaoyi were transferred to Yuci Special District; Zhongyang County was transferred to Xingxian Special District; Shilou County was transferred to Jinnan Special District.

On July 1, 1952, Xingxian Special District was abolished. Xingxian and Lanxian were transferred to Yanbei Special District; Linxian, Fangshan, Lishi, and Zhongyang were transferred to Yuci Special District.

On July 1, 1954, Lishi and Fangshan counties were merged into Lishan County.

On November 10, 1958, Wenshui and Jiaocheng counties were merged into Fenyang County. Zhongyang County and Lishan County were merged into Lishi County. Xiaoyi County was merged into Jiexiu County. Lanxian was divided and incorporated into Jingle and Xingxian. Shilou County was merged into Lüliang County.

On September 19, 1959, all counties except Xiaoyi County were restored. In May 1961, Xiaoyi County's establishment was restored.

In May 1971, Lüliang Prefecture was established, and Fangshan County was restored simultaneously. Loufan and Jiaokou counties were newly established. In April 1972, Loufan County was transferred to Taiyuan City. On October 5, 1971, Liulin County was newly established. In 1992, Xiaoyi County was abolished and established as a city. In 1996, Lishi County was abolished and established as a city. In 1996, Fenyang County was abolished and established as a city.

In July 2004, the prefecture was abolished and a prefecture-level city was established.

3. Geography

3.1 Location

Lüliang is situated between 36°43'–38°43' north latitude and 110°22'–112°19' east longitude, located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. It borders the Yellow River to the west, facing Shaanxi Province across the river, neighbors Xinzhou to the north, and adjoins Linfen to the south. The city covers a total area of 21,143 square kilometers, with the urban area spanning 1,324 square kilometers.

3.2 Climate

Lüliang has a semi-arid continental temperate monsoon climate with four distinct seasons and significant variations. Spring is dry with little rain and frequent winds; summer is hot with concentrated rainfall; autumn is cool and pleasant; winter is cold with relatively little snowfall. The multi-year average precipitation is 502.5 mm. The area around the main peak of Guandi Mountain is a high-precipitation center, receiving over 700 mm annually, while the riverine areas of Linxian and Liulin are relatively arid, with precipitation typically below 450 mm. The seasonal distribution of precipitation is highly uneven, with summer accounting for about 60% of the annual total and winter only about 3%. Interannual variability is also significant, with the difference between wet and dry years being 2–3 times. Precipitation distribution across regions is uneven, with mountainous areas generally receiving more than plains, and southern mountainous areas receiving more than northern mountainous areas on average.

The annual average temperature is around 8–9°C, and the annual effective accumulated temperature above 10°C ranges from 2,534.7°C to 3,870.0°C. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of -7.2°C across the region. The extreme minimum temperature of -30.5°C occurred in Lanxian County in the north. July is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 22.8°C across the region. The extreme maximum temperature of 39.9°C was recorded in Fenyang City on the plains. The annual average sunshine duration ranges from 2,351.7 to 2,871.7 hours, and the frost-free period generally lasts 133 to 178 days.

Average Meteorological Data for Lüliang City (1971–2000) | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|------|------|------|------| | Record high °C (°F) | 13.3 (65.9) | 22.6 (72.7) | 24.9 (76.8) | 34.7 (94.5) | 35.7 (88.1) | 37.8 (100.0) | 38.4 (101.1) | 37.2 (99.0) | 36.2 (97.2) | 29.4 (84.9) | 24.1 (75.4) | 15.6 (60.1) | 38.4 (101.1) | | Average high °C (°F) | -0.2 (31.6) | 3.9 (39.0) | 10.6 (51.1) | 19.2 (66.6) | 25.3 (77.5) | 28.9 (84.0) | 29.9 (85.8) | 28.0 (82.4) | 23.3 (73.9) | 17.0 (62.6) | 8.6 (47.5) | 1.6 (34.9) | 16.3 (61.4) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -7.5 (18.5) | -3.4 (25.9) | 3.5 (38.3) | 11.4 (52.5) | 17.6 (63.7) | 21.7 (71.1) | 23.3 (73.9) | 21.5 (70.7) | 16.0 (60.8) | 9.4 (48.9) | 1.6 (34.9) | -5.5 (22.1) | 9.1 (48.4) | | Average low °C (°F) | -13.6 (7.5) | -9.5 (14.9) | -2.8 (27.0) | 3.9 (39.0) | 9.9 (49.8) | 14.3 (57.7) | 17.1 (62.8) | 15.9 (60.6) | 9.9 (49.8) | 3.2 (37.8) | -4.0 (24.8) | -11.1 (12.0) | 2.8 (37.0) | | Record low °C (°F) | -26.0 (-14.8) | -23.9 (-11.0) | -16.1 (3.0) | -9.6 (14.7) | -3.2 (26.2) | 4.7 (39.6) | 10.2 (50.4) | 6.6 (43.9) | -2.0 (28.4) | -8.7 (16.3) | -20.0 (-4.0) | -24.9 (-12.8) | -26.0 (-14.8) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 2.7 (0.11) | 5.2 (0.20) | 12.1 (0.48) | 22.0 (0.87) | 30.7 (1.21) | 60.2 (2.37) | 100.5 (3.96) | 120.2 (4.73) | 61.2 (2.41) | 30.2 (1.19) | 13.1 (0.52) | 3.4 (0.13) | 461.5 (18.18) | | Average precipitation days (≥0.1 mm) | 2.4 | 3.4 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 6.2 | 8.3 | 11.4 | 11.5 | 8.6 | 6.1 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 74.3 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Lüliang City currently administers 1 district, 10 counties, and has jurisdiction over 2 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• District: Lishi District
• County-level Cities: Xiaoyi City, Fenyang City
• Counties: Wenshui County, Jiaocheng County, Xing County, Lin County, Liulin County, Shilou County, Lan County, Fangshan County, Zhongyang County, Jiaokou County

| Division Code | Division Name | Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | | :---------------- | :---------------- | :--------- | :------------- | :------------------------------------ | :------------------ | :-------------- | :--------------- | :-------- | :------------ | | 141100 | Lüliang City | Lüliang Shi | 21,139.50 | 3,398,431 | Lishi District | 033000 | 13 | 81 | 67 | | 141102 | Lishi District | Lishi Qu | 1,323.66 | 456,355 | Fengshan Subdistrict | 033000 | 7 | 2 | 3 | | 141121 | Wenshui County | Wenshui Xian | 1,068.57 | 372,580 | Fengcheng Town | 032100 | | 7 | 5 | | 141122 | Jiaocheng County | Jiaocheng Xian | 1,826.47 | 226,768 | Tianning Town | 030500 | | 6 | 4 | | 141123 | Xing County | Xing Xian | 3,169.28 | 183,484 | Weifen Town | 033600 | | 7 | 10 | | 141124 | Lin County | Lin Xian | 2,976.45 | 394,713 | Linquan Town | 033200 | | 13 | 10 | | 141125 | Liulin County | Liulin Xian | 1,288.12 | 287,969 | Liulin Town | 033300 | | 8 | 7 | | 141126 | Shilou County | Shilou Xian | 1,734.91 | 96,808 | Lingquan Town | 032500 | | 4 | 5 | | 141127 | Lan County | Lan Xian | 1,512.72 | 148,315 | Dongcun Town | 033500 | | 4 | 8 | | 141128 | Fangshan County | Fangshan Xian | 1,433.17 | 112,692 | Gedong Town | 033100 | | 5 | 2 | | 141129 | Zhongyang County | Zhongyang Xian | 1,438.61 | 138,498 | Ningxiang Town | 033400 | | 5 | 2 | | 141130 | Jiaokou County | Jiaokou Xian | 1,259.92 | 95,313 | Shuitou Town | 032400 | | 4 | 3 | | 141181 | Xiaoyi City | Xiaoyi Shi | 937.56 | 477,289 | Xinyi Subdistrict | 032300 | 4 | 7 | 5 | | 141182 | Fenyang City | Fenyang Shi | 1,170.05 | 407,647 | Taiheqiao Subdistrict | 032200 | 2 | 9 | 3 |

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5. Transportation

• Railway: Xiaoliu Railway, Taiyuan–Zhongwei–Yinchuan Railway
• Highway: G20 Qingdao–Yinchuan Expressway, National Highway 307 passes through the area.
• Aviation: Lüliang Dawu Airport

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6. Population

As of the end of 2022, Luliang City had a permanent resident population of 3.3705 million. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 1.8504 million, accounting for 54.9% of the total permanent resident population.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 3,398,431. Compared with the 3,727,068 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the population decreased by 328,637 over the past ten years, a decline of 8.82%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.92%. Among them, the male population was 1,763,303, accounting for 51.89% of the total population; the female population was 1,635,128, accounting for 48.11% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 107.84. The population aged 0-14 was 660,370, accounting for 19.43% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 2,170,017, accounting for 63.85% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 568,044, accounting for 16.71% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 394,859, accounting for 11.62% of the total population. The urban population was 1,811,822, accounting for 53.31% of the total population; the rural population was 1,586,609, accounting for 46.69% of the total population.

6.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han Chinese population was 3,395,549, accounting for 99.92%; the combined population of various ethnic minorities was 2,882, accounting for 0.08%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han Chinese population decreased by 330,299, a decline of 8.87%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.05 percentage points; the combined population of various ethnic minorities increased by 1,662, a growth of 136.23%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.05 percentage points.

6.2 Dialects

The main dialects of Luliang City belong to the Luliang subgroup of the Jin Chinese dialect within the Northern Mandarin area of the Chinese language. Due to differences in geographical location and administrative divisions, the region can be further divided into four smaller dialect areas: the Xinglan sub-area, primarily centered on Xingxian and Lanxian; the Xizhou sub-area, primarily centered on Shilou and Jiaokou (partially influenced by the Xiaoyi accent); the Jin Chinese Bingzhou subgroup area, primarily centered on Jiaocheng, Wenshui, Xiaoyi, and Fenyang; and the Lishi sub-area, primarily centered on Zhongyang, Liulin, Fangshan, Linxian, and Lishi.

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7. Sister Cities

Lüliang has established sister city relationships with the following cities:

• Semur-en-Auxois, France (Letter of Intent signed in June 2008, officially established on June 7, 2013)

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It is named after the Lüliang Mountains that run through the entire region.

Lishi District

Xiaoyi City

The Han ethnic group accounts for 99.92% of the population; ethnic minorities account for 0.08%.

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