Ningde (宁德)

1. Introduction

Ningde City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Fujian Province, People's Republic of China, located in the northeastern coastal area of Fujian Province. It is a National Garden City. The city borders Fuzhou City to the south, Nanping City to the west, Lishui City and Wenzhou City of Zhejiang Province to the north, and the East China Sea to the east. To the southeast lie the Matsu Islands of Lianjiang County. Its coastline features harbors such as Sandu Bay and Funing Bay (Cebuano: Funing Wan), along with numerous islands. The city covers a total area of 13,432 square kilometers, and the Municipal People's Government is located in Jiaocheng District.

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2. History

2.1 Western Jin to Five Dynasties

• In the third year of the Taikang era of the Western Jin Dynasty (282 AD), the establishment of counties began. Wenma County was created by separating the Wenma ship garrison from Houguan County and placed under Jin'an Commandery.
• In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (589 AD), Wenma County was abolished and merged into Yuanfeng County.
• In the sixth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (623 AD), it was renamed Changxi County and placed under Quanzhou (the prefectural seat was located in present-day Fuzhou). During the Kaicheng era (836-840 AD), the Ningchuan area of Changxi County and the northeastern part of Gutian County were designated as the Gande Garrison.
• During the Five Dynasties period, in the fourth year of the Changxing era of the Later Tang Dynasty (933 AD), the garrison was upgraded to a county. It was named Ningde County by combining "Ning" from Ningchuan and "De" from Gande, and was placed under Changle Prefecture.

2.2 Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

• In the fifth year of the Chunyou era of the Song Dynasty (1245 AD), Fu'an County was added. Changxi and Ningde, along with Fu'an, were all placed under Fuzhou.
• In the twenty-third year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1286 AD), Changxi County was upgraded to Funing Subprefecture, administering Fu'an and Ningde counties, and was placed under Fuzhou Circuit.
• In the second year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1369 AD), Funing Subprefecture was downgraded to a county. In the ninth year of the Chenghua era (1473 AD), Funing Subprefecture was restored.
• In the thirteenth year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty (1735 AD), Funing Subprefecture was upgraded to Funing Prefecture, administering Ningde County, with Xiapu County established as its attached county. In the same year, Shouning County was transferred from Jianning Prefecture to Funing Prefecture. In the fourth year of the Qianlong era (1739 AD), Fuding County was added. The prefecture thus administered five counties: Xiapu, Fu'an, Ningde, Fuding, and Shouning. By the late Qing Dynasty, it belonged to the Ningfu Circuit.

2.3 Republic of China Period

• In the 2nd year of the Republic of China (1913 AD), prefectures were abolished and circuits established. Ningde County belonged to the Eastern Circuit (renamed Minhai Circuit after 1914, with the circuit office located in Minhou County).
• In the 14th year of the Republic of China (1925 AD), the Fujian Provincial National Government was established. The province implemented a two-tier provincial and county administrative system, with Ningde County directly under provincial jurisdiction.
• In November of the 22nd year of the Republic of China (1933 AD), the National Revolutionary Army's 19th Route Army established the People's Revolutionary Government of the Republic of China in Fuzhou. Fujian was divided into 4 provinces and 2 cities. Ningde, Fu'an, Xiapu, Fuding, and Shouning counties belonged to Minhai Province.
• In January of the 23rd year of the Republic of China (1934 AD), the People's Revolutionary Government collapsed, and the eight counties of eastern Fujian returned to direct provincial control. In February 1934, the Eastern Fujian Soviet Government was established in Baizhuyang Village, Fu'an County.
• In the 36th year of the Republic of China (1947 AD), Administrative Inspection Commissioner's Offices were established. Eastern Fujian became the First Administrative Inspection District, administering seven counties: Fu'an, Xiapu, Ningde, Fuding, Shouning, Zhouning, and Zherong. The Commissioner's Office was located in Fu'an County until July 1949.

2.4 People's Republic of China Period

• After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Eastern Fujian belonged to the Third Administrative Inspection District, which was renamed the Fu'an Special District the following year. The district office was located in Fu'an County, administering seven counties: Fu'an, Fuding, Ningde, Xiapu, Shouning, Zhouning, and Zherong.
• In 1956, the three counties of Changle, Lianjiang, and Luoyuan, originally part of the Minhou Special District, were incorporated, and Zherong County was abolished.
• In 1959, Changle and Lianjiang counties were transferred back to the Minhou Special District, while Songxi and Zhenghe counties, originally part of the Nanping Special District, were added.
• In 1960, Songxi and Zhenghe were merged into Songzheng County. In 1961, Zherong County was restored.
• In 1962, Luoyuan County was transferred to Fuzhou City, Songzheng County was abolished, and Zhenghe and Songxi counties were restored.
• In July 1970, the district office moved from Fu'an County to Ningde County (Jiaocheng District) and was renamed the Fu'an Prefecture.
• In 1971, it was renamed the Ningde Prefecture. Simultaneously, Songxi and Zhenghe counties were transferred to the Jianyang Prefecture, while four counties originally belonging to the Minhou Prefecture—Lianjiang, Luoyuan, Gutian, and Pingnan—were added. Zherong County was abolished again (and restored again in 1975).
• In April 1983, Lianjiang and Luoyuan were placed under the jurisdiction of Fuzhou City.
• In 1988, Ningde County was upgraded to Ningde City (a county-level city). Fu'an County and Fuding County were also upgraded to county-level cities in 1989 and 1995, respectively.
• On November 14, 1999, the State Council approved: the abolition of Ningde Prefecture and the county-level Ningde City, and the establishment of the prefecture-level Ningde City. The former county-level Ningde City became Jiaocheng District. The Ningde Municipal People's Government is located in Jiaocheng District, and the district government is located on Bayiwuzhong Road. Ningde City administered the former Ningde Prefecture's counties of Shouning, Xiapu, Zherong, Pingnan, Gutian, Zhouning, and the newly established Jiaocheng District. The former Ningde Prefecture's cities of Fu'an and Fuding were directly under Fujian Province's jurisdiction but administered by Ningde City on its behalf. On November 14, 2000, the Ningde Municipal People's Government was officially inaugurated.

3. Geography

3.1 Location

It borders the sea to the east, facing Taiwan across the strait, neighbors Nanping City to the west, connects with Fuzhou City to the south, and adjoins Wenzhou City of Zhejiang Province to the north. It lies between 26°17'─27°41' north latitude and 118°32'─120°52' east longitude.

3.2 Topography

The terrain is high in the west and north, low in the east and south, with a central uplift. The landscape is predominantly mountainous and hilly, interspersed with intermountain basins. A narrow coastal alluvial plain stretches along the coast. The Jiufeng Mountain and Taimu Mountain ranges traverse the northwest and central parts respectively, featuring continuous peaks over a thousand meters high, with Pingjian Mountain in Shouning County being the highest (elevation 1,649 meters).

3.3 Sea Area

To the east lies the Taiwan Strait, with a coastline of 1,046 kilometers. It boasts numerous bays and islands, and its sea area covers 44,500 square kilometers.

3.4 Rivers

There are numerous streams, mostly trending northwest-southeast. The largest river system is the Jiaoxi River; other major rivers include the Shuibeixi, Huotongxi, and Gutianxi. The characteristics of the rivers in the region are: the upper to middle reaches are winding with narrow, steep channels, fast-flowing water, and significant drops; the lower reaches have wider river surfaces and gentler riverbeds; the flow velocity is generally steady, eventually emptying into the East China Sea.

3.5 Climate

It features a subtropical maritime monsoon climate, combined with characteristics of mountain and basin climates. The annual average temperature ranges from 13.4°C to 20.2°C, with average annual precipitation between 1,250 and 2,350 mm, and a frost-free period of 235 to 300 days. | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Annual | |-----------|------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|------|------|------|----------| | Record High °C | 25.4 | 28.7 | 30.9 | 33.9 | 36.1 | 38.2 | 40.2 | 37.8 | 37.5 | 32.7 | 32.4 | 26.2 | 40.2 | | Record High °F | 77.7 | 83.7 | 87.6 | 93 | 97 | 100.8 | 104.4 | 100 | 99.5 | 90.9 | 90.3 | 79.2 | 104.4 | | Average High °C | 14.2 | 14.9 | 17.4 | 22 | 26.2 | 29.8 | 33.4 | 32.5 | 30 | 26 | 21.4 | 16.6 | 23.7 | | Average High °F | 57.6 | 58.8 | 63.3 | 71.6 | 79.2 | 85.6 | 92.1 | 90.5 | 86 | 78.8 | 70.5 | 61.9 | 74.7 | | Daily Mean °C | 10.6 | 11.2 | 13.5 | 17.9 | 22.4 | 26.1 | 29.3 | 28.7 | 26.3 | 22.3 | 17.7 | 12.7 | 19.9 | | Daily Mean °F | 51.1 | 52.2 | 56.3 | 64.2 | 72.3 | 79 | 84.7 | 83.7 | 79.3 | 72.1 | 63.9 | 54.9 | 67.8 | | Average Low °C | 8.2 | 8.7 | 10.7 | 15 | 19.5 | 23.3 | 26.2 | 25.8 | 23.5 | 19.3 | 14.9 | 9.9 | 17.1 | | Average Low °F | 46.8 | 47.7 | 51.3 | 59 | 67.1 | 73.9 | 79.2 | 78.4 | 74.3 | 66.7 | 58.8 | 49.8 | 62.7 | | Record Low °C | −0.3 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 7.3 | 13.4 | 16.4 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 15.6 | 10.7 | 5.5 | −1.4 | −1.4 | | Record Low °F | 31.5 | 34.5 | 36 | 45.1 | 56.1 | 61.5 | 70.2 | 70.7 | 60.1 | 51.3 | 41.9 | 29.5 | 29.5 | | Average Precipitation mm | 77.3 | 110.7 | 175.4 | 169.8 | 223.2 | 283.3 | 196.1 | 295.6 | 243.5 | 83.7 | 75.7 | 62.5 | 1,996.80 | | Average Precipitation inches | 3.04 | 4.36 | 6.91 | 6.69 | 8.79 | 11.15 | 7.72 | 11.64 | 9.59 | 3.3 | 2.98 | 2.46 | 78.63 | | Average Relative Humidity (%) | 76 | 79 | 79 | 78 | 78 | 80 | 75 | 77 | 74 | 71 | 73 | 74 | 76 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Ningde City currently administers 1 district, 6 counties, and has jurisdiction over 2 county-level cities.

• District: Jiaocheng District
• County-level cities: Fu'an City, Fuding City
• Counties: Xiapu County, Gutian County, Pingnan County, Shouning County, Zhouning County, Zherong County Additionally, Ningde City has established the following economic management zones: the national-level Dongqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone, and the Fu'an She Ethnic Group Development Zone.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Including: Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|--------------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|--------------------------------| | 350900 | Ningde City | Níngdé Shì | 13,431.98 | 3,146,789 | Jiaocheng District | 352100 | 13 | 69 | 43 | 9 | | 350902 | Jiaocheng District| Jiāochéng Qū | 1,505.39 | 623,840 | Jiaobei Subdistrict | 352100 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 1 | | 350921 | Xiapu County | Xiápǔ Xiàn | 1,708.44 | 475,936 | Songcheng Subdistrict | 355100 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | | 350922 | Gutian County | Gǔtián Xiàn | 2,372.82 | 323,771 | Chengdong Subdistrict | 352200 | 2 | 8 | 4 | | | 350923 | Pingnan County | Píngnán Xiàn | 1,487.33 | 139,815 | Gufeng Town | 352300 | | 5 | 6 | | | 350924 | Shouning County | Shòuníng Xiàn | 1,432.97 | 177,960 | Aoyang Town | 355500 | | 8 | 6 | | | 350925 | Zhouning County | Zhōuníng Xiàn | 1,035.49 | 149,567 | Shicheng Town | 355400 | | 6 | 3 | | | 350926 | Zherong County | Zhèróng Xiàn | 538.22 | 92,989 | Shuangcheng Town | 355300 | | 2 | 7 | | | 350981 | Fu'an City | Fú'ān Shì | 1,809.75 | 609,779 | Chengbei Subdistrict | 355000 | 4 | 13 | 5 | 3 | | 350982 | Fuding City | Fúdǐng Shì | 1,541.57 | 553,132 | Tongshan Subdistrict | 355200 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 2 |

5. Economy

The industry primarily relies on external investment. In recent years, emerging industries, represented by CATL, have developed rapidly. Tourism resources await further development. Among the cities in Fujian Province, its economic development is at a relatively low level, but it is experiencing rapid growth.

6. Transportation

6.1 Land Transportation

6.1.1 Urban Public Transit

The earliest public bus routes in Ningde City commenced operation in 1976, initially using three buses to serve the Qidu Line and Badu Line (which were later converted into long-distance passenger transport routes and, in recent years, restored as urban bus routes 32 and 33 due to the expansion of Ningde's central urban area). The true urban public transit routes in Ningde City were Routes 1 to 3, which opened in 1992 (Route 2 was later merged into Route 1). By the end of 2022, the urban area of Ningde had 30 bus routes and over 200 bus stops.

6.1.2 Intercity Transportation

Expressways:

• G15 Shenyang–Haikou Expressway: (Luoyuan) ~ Feiluan ~ Feiluan Junction ~ Ningde South ~ Jingshang Junction ~ Zengban Junction ~ Ningde North ~ Ningde Automobile City ~ Xiabaishi ~ Wanwu Junction ~ Yantian ~ Xiapu ~ Sansha ~ Yacheng ~ Xiamen ~ Taimu Mountain ~ Yangzhong Junction ~ Bachimen ~ Fuding ~ Bangfu Junction ~ Fuding North ~ Fujian-Zhejiang Border ~ (Cangnan)
• G4012 Liyang–Ningde Expressway (formerly S1511 Fuzhou–Shouning Expressway): Banzhong Junction ~ Fu'an Shekou ~ Shouning Xietan ~ Shouning ~ Shouning Xixi ~ Fujian-Zhejiang Border ~ (Taishun)
• G1514 Ningde–Shangrao Expressway: Xiapu Xiahu ~ Dong'an ~ Xiayan ~ Xi'nan ~ Xiwei ~ Xiapi Junction ~ Wanwu Junction ~ Saiqi ~ Fu'an ~ Kangcuo Junction ~ Baiyun Mountain ~ Zhouning ~ (Zhenghe)
• G1523 Ningbo–Dongguan Expressway (formerly S35 Fuzhou–Zhao'an Expressway): (Luoyuan Bay) ~ Feiluan ~ Ningde East ~ Zengban Junction ~ Jingshang Junction ~ Ningde West ~ Ningde Badu ~ Fu'an Gantang ~ Fu'an West ~ Kangcuo Junction ~ Banzhong Junction ~ Fu'an North ~ Zherong ~ Fuding Guanyang ~ Fuding North ~ Bangfu Junction ~ Yangzhong Junction ~ Xuncheng ~ Fuding East ~ Fujian-Zhejiang Border ~ (Cangnan)
• S21 Zhenghe–Yongding Expressway (formerly S0313 Zhenghe–Gutian Expressway): (Zhenghe) ~ Baishuiyang ~ Pingnan ~ Pingnan Gantang ~ Gutian Daqiao ~ Gutian Cuiping Lake ~ Paotou Junction

National Highways Passing Through:

• G104: Youcheling Border ~ Nanshan ~ Feiluan ~ Erdou Xia Village ~ Erdou Shang Village ~ Qitoubi ~ Hanqi ~ Ningde ~ Jingshang ~ Liankeng ~ Liudu ~ Qiushanwei ~ Qidu ~ Sanyu (Ningde Automobile City) ~ Ao Village ~ Badu ~ Hongmenli ~ Yutou ~ Minkeng ~ Meiyangling Border ~ Guanli ~ Gantang ~ Luojiang ~ Saiqi ~ Xibing ~ Huanglan ~ Huajiao ~ Chengjialong ~ Fu'an ~ Yanta ~ Hutangban ~ Caihong ~ Zherong ~ Zhayang ~ Guanyang ~ Fuding ~ Guanling ~ Fenshuiguan Border
• G228 (formerly Zhangwan–Dongshan Line)
• G235 (formerly Xixi–Meizhou Island Line)
• G237 (formerly Badu–Yangzhuang Line; the first section, the Ningde–Pingnan Secondary Highway, opened in October 2008; the Pingnan Luxia–Nanping Jian'ou section is currently under construction): Badu Erqiao ~ Badu ~ Tongjing ~ Changtan ~ Jiudu ~ Yunqi ~ Jiuxian ~ Huotong ~ Xingxian ~ Hongkou ~ Kushan ~ Lingchatou ~ Shoushan ~ Baiyu ~ Dantiaoqiao ~ Lidaping ~ Jitou ~ Pingnan ~ Luxia ~ (Jian'ou)
• G353 (formerly the western section of County Road 982, the Xiapu–Dashu Line (Fu'an–Xiapu section), and the former Xiabaishi–Pucheng Line (Fu'an–Zhouning section). The 0 km starting point is located in Xi'nan Town, Xiapu County): Xiapu ~ Songluo ~ Xibing ~ Saiqi ~ Houtai ~ Xitan ~ Lian Village ~ Guilin ~ Liping ~ Zhouning ~ Siqiao ~ (Zhenghe)

Provincial Highways:

• S306 (Jiaocheng District–Gutian County, formerly the eastern section of the Jinhan–Taining Line): Tingping ~ Niutougang ~ Guangbanyang ~ Shihou ~ Chenban ~ Yangzhong ~ Baoyan ~ Shanyang ~ Hetang ~ Xiyang ~ Guangyang ~ Suyang ~ Gongguan ~ Daqiao ~ Cuiping Lake
• S203 (Fu'an City–Shouning County, formerly the Shouning section of the Xiapu–Dashu Line and the Fu'an section of the Xiabaishi–Pucheng Line): Xiabaishi ~ Gantang ~ Hutangban ~ Zhugongban ~ Shekou ~ Wuqu ~ Xietan ~ Burolin ~ Nanyang ~ Shouning ~ Da'an ~ Dashu
• S201 (Xiapu County–Zherong County, formerly County Road 961): Dongchong ~ Beibi ~ Xiahu ~ Changchun ~ Xiapu ~ Chongru ~ Xixi Reservoir ~ Hengjiang ~ Yuanyang Grassland ~ Zherong ~ Rongshun Bridge
• S207 (Shouning County–Jiaocheng District, formerly the western section of County Road 942, the Zhouning–Shouning section of County Road 944, and County Road 931): Yangxitou ~ Xiadang ~ Xiapingfeng ~ Xiyuan New Village ~ Xiyuan ~ Chatouban ~ Luci Cha ~ Chunchi ~ Zhouning ~ Liping ~ Gaojitou ~ Xian Village ~ Chuanzhong ~ Waibiao ~ Dutou ~ Xingxian Bridge

Railways:

• Wenzhou–Fuzhou Railway (passenger and freight)
• Quzhou–Ningde Railway (passenger and freight) Construction began on December 31, 2014, and it opened on September 27, 2020.
• Ningde Zhangwan Port Railway Branch (planned, freight)
• Ningde Baima Port Railway Branch (under construction, freight)
• Hefei–Fuzhou Passenger Dedicated Line

6.2 Maritime Transportation

Ningde Port, comprising the three port areas of Sandu'ao, Saijiang, Sansha, and Shacheng.

6.3 Airport

Ningde Xiapu Airport (converted from a military airfield)

7. Education

7.1 Higher Education Institutions

• Public Undergraduate Institutions: Ningde Normal University
• Public Vocational Colleges: Ningde Vocational and Technical College, Fujian Strait Vocational and Technical College (in preparation)

7.2 Key High Schools

Fujian Provincial First-Class Standard High Schools: Ningde No.1 High School, Ningde Senior High School, Fu'an No.1 High School, Ningde Ethnic High School, Fuding No.1 High School, Xiapu No.1 High School, Gutian No.1 High School, Pingnan No.1 High School, Zhouning No.1 High School, Zherong No.1 High School, Ningde No.5 High School

8. Population

In 2022, the city's registered population was 3.5523 million, comprising 1.8611 million males and 1.6912 million females. By urban-rural distribution: the urban population totaled 1.3799 million, while the rural population was 2.1724 million.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 3,146,789. Compared with the 2,821,996 people recorded in the Sixth National Population Census, this represents an increase of 324,793 people over the decade, a growth rate of 11.51%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. Among them, the male population was 1,641,801, accounting for 52.17% of the total population; the female population was 1,504,988, accounting for 47.83% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 109.09. The population aged 0–14 was 649,501, accounting for 20.64% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,919,606, accounting for 61% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 577,682, accounting for 18.36% of the total population, of which those aged 65 and above numbered 399,525, accounting for 12.7% of the total population. The urban resident population was 1,919,132, accounting for 60.99% of the total population; the rural resident population was 1,227,657, accounting for 39.01% of the total population.

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9. Culture

9.1 Ancient Culture

During the Neolithic Age, it belonged to the southeastern coastal stamped pottery culture system.

9.2 Legends

• Huotong Mountain is a sacred site for both Taoism and Buddhism, with legends such as "Suirenshi Creating Fire" and "The Yellow Emperor Creating (Arriving at) Huo."
• Mount Taimu has the legend of "Emperor Yao Enfeoffing Taimu."

9.3 Folk Arts

• "Bantieji" (Carrying Iron Skill): Also known as "Taige" (Carrying Pavilion), it is a folk performance form originating from the Qing Dynasty. During the performance, steel pipes or iron bars are welded into branch-like structures and fixed onto a carriage shaft. Children, after applying makeup and holding props, each portray a character from a traditional opera. According to the plot, they form various poses, either sitting or standing on the "iron skill" structure, which is then carried by people as they walk. This performance form is very popular in eastern Fujian and is often performed during traditional festivals (such as the Ghost Festival).
• "Lion Dance with Strings": Originating from the Sui Dynasty, also known as the "Pulling Lion Dance," it evolved from local children's toys in Huotong. The lion is crafted from tied materials, with its head, body, tail, and legs suspended by ropes from a wooden frame mounted on a carriage shaft. Performers walk while pulling the ropes, accompanied by backdrops and lighting. The Lion Dance with Strings is divided into the "Double Lion Dance" (male and female lions) and the "Big and Small Lion Dance" (mother and cub lions). Performers range from as few as 5 to over 10 people. The Huotong Lion Dance with Strings has been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
• "Paper-Cutting": Most famous in Zherong County. The techniques of paper-cutting mainly include flat-laying, symmetrical, multi-folding, and network styles. In addition to traditional floral patterns and character designs, a significant portion of the content depicts everyday objects, often using abstract and exaggerated forms of expression. The paper-cutting style of Zherong County is characterized as simple, vigorous, and bold, believed to be influenced by Central Plains culture. It forms a sharp contrast with the delicate, exquisite, and meticulous paper-cutting of Zhangpu in southern Fujian. In 2000, Zherong County was awarded the title "Hometown of Chinese Folk Art (Paper-Cutting)" by the Ministry of Culture for its unique charm in paper-cutting.

9.4 She Ethnic Culture

As a major settlement area for the She ethnic group, She culture and art are among the most distinctive and captivating aspects of eastern Fujian culture.

9.5 Intangible Cultural Heritage

The She ethnic folk songs of Ningde City, Huotong Lion Dance with Strings, She ethnic narrative songs (Xiapu County), Siping Opera (Pingnan County), Pingnan Shuangxi Iron Skill (Pingnan County), Pingnan Pingjiang Opera (Pingnan County), traditional construction techniques of wooden arch bridges (Pingnan County, Shouning County), Zherong paper-cutting (Zherong County), Chen Jinggu Belief and Customs (Gutian County), Huotong Iron Skill (Jiaocheng District), watertight bulkhead Fuchuan shipbuilding techniques (Jiaocheng District), and Shouning Beilu Opera (Shouning County) have been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

9.6 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Northeastern Fujian Covered Bridges
• Shifeng Temple
• Guanyin Pavilion Fortress
• Lingong Zhongpingwang Ancestral Hall
• Gutian Linshui Palace
• Jixia Architectural Complex
• Fengqi Wu Clan Mansion
• Fujian Tomb Complex of Soldiers Who Guarded Taiwan

10. Sister Cities

As of July 31, 2015, Ningde City has established four pairs of international sister city relationships with three countries. | Sister City | Date Established | Signing Location | |---------------------|----------|------| | Sibu City (Sarawak, Malaysia) | 3/19/09 | Ningde City | | Columbus City (Indiana, USA) | 10/22/10 | Ningde City | | Speyer City (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) | 12/7/12 | Ningde City | | Worms City (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) | 12/7/12 | Ningde City |

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Jiaocheng District

Jiaocheng District

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Camphor tree

Osmanthus