Taizhou (台州)

1. Introduction

Taizhou City (Taizhou dialect pronunciation: /tʰe33-tɕiɯ33/), abbreviated as Tai, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China, located on the eastern coast of Zhejiang Province. The city borders Wenzhou City to the south, Lishui City and Jinhua City to the west, Shaoxing City and Ningbo City to the north, and faces the East China Sea to the east. It is situated in the mountainous and hilly regions of eastern Zhejiang and the coastal plains, with terrain higher in the west and lower in the east, featuring numerous hills in the western part. To the north lies the Tiantai Mountain, to the south are the Kuocang Mountain and Yandang Mountain, and the eastern area comprises the Wenhuang Plain. The Yong'an River and the Shifeng River converge in the central part of the city to form the Lingjiang River, which flows eastward, joins the Yongning River, and is then called the Jiaojiang River before emptying into the Taizhou Bay and the sea. There are several harbors along the coast, including Yuhuan Island, the Taizhou Archipelago, and the Dongji Archipelago. The People's Government of Taizhou City is located at No. 233, South Baiyunshan Road, Jiaojiang District.

2. Etymology

In the fifth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (622 AD), Haizhou was established. The following year, it was renamed Taizhou after the Tiantai Mountain within its territory (located in present-day Tiantai County) ("Yuanhe Junxian Tuzhi" Volume 26: "It was named after Tiantai Mountain"). This marks the origin of the name Taizhou.

3. History

3.1 Pre-Qin to the Three Kingdoms Period

During the pre-Qin period, it was the land of Ouyue. In the Qin Dynasty, it belonged to Minzhong Commandery. In the early Han Dynasty, it was part of the Minyue Kingdom. In the first year of the Yuanfeng era (110 BCE) of Emperor Wu of Han, it was under Yin County of Kuaiji Commandery, where Huipu Township was established. In the second year of the Shiyuan era of the Western Han Dynasty (85 BCE), Huipu County was established from Huipu Township of Yin County, with its county seat at Huipu (present-day Zhang'an Subdistrict, Jiaojiang District), belonging to Kuaiji Commandery under Yangzhou. This marked the beginning of the establishment of counties in Taizhou. Its territory roughly corresponded to the areas of present-day Taizhou, Wenzhou, and Lishui. During the Jianwu era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–56 CE), Huipu County was renamed Zhang'an County. In the second year of the Taiping era of Eastern Wu (257 CE), the eastern part of Kuaiji Commandery was separated to establish Linhai Commandery, under Yangzhou, with its seat at Zhang'an. It governed seven counties: Zhang'an, Linhai, Shiping, Yongning, Songyang, Luoyang (later renamed Anyang), and Luojiang. This marked the beginning of the establishment of commanderies in Taizhou.

3.2 Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties

In the fourth year of the Taikang era of the Western Jin Dynasty (283 CE), Linhai Commandery governed eight counties: Zhang'an, Linhai, Shifeng, Ninghai, Yongning, Songyang, Angu, and Hengyang, under Yangzhou. In the first year of the Taining era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (323 CE), the four southern counties of Linhai Commandery—Yongning, Songyang, Angu, and Hengyang—were separated to establish Yongjia Commandery. Linhai Commandery then governed four counties: Zhang'an, Linhai, Shifeng, and Ninghai, forming the preliminary territory of what would later become Taizhou.

3.3 Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (589 CE), after the conquest of the Chen Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, commanderies were abolished, and the counties of Linhai Commandery were merged into Linhai County, belonging to Chuzhou (renamed Kuozhou in the twelfth year). In the third year of the Daye era of Emperor Yang (607 CE), prefectures were renamed commanderies, and Linhai County belonged to Yongjia Commandery. In the fifth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (622 CE), Taizhou was established, named after Mount Tiantai within its territory. This marked the beginning of the name "Taizhou." During the Northern Song Dynasty, it belonged to the Liangzhe Circuit. In the Southern Song Dynasty, Taizhou served as an auxiliary commandery of the Song Dynasty. In the fourteenth year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1277 CE), it became Taizhou Route, under the Zhedong Circuit of the Jiangzhe Branch Secretariat. In the first year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368 CE), Zhu Yuanzhang changed Taizhou Route to Taizhou Prefecture, under the Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commission. In the first year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1662 CE), it belonged to the Shaotai Circuit of Zhejiang Province. In the seventh year, it was under the Ningtaiwenhai Circuit (based in Taizhou). In the eleventh year, it was under the Taihai Circuit (based in Taizhou). In the twenty-fourth year, it was under the Ningtai Circuit. In the fourth year of the Yongzheng era (1726 CE), it was under the Ningshaotai Circuit.

3.4 Modern Era

By July 1948, Taizhou was the Sixth Administrative Inspection District, governing seven counties: Linhai, Huangyan, Wenling, Tiantai, Xianju, Sanmen, and Ninghai. In April 1962, after the re-establishment of the Taizhou Special District, it no longer governed Ninghai County. It governed seven counties: Linhai, Huangyan, Wenling, Xianju, Tiantai, Sanmen, and Yuhuan. In 1978, the Taizhou Special District was renamed the Taizhou Prefecture. In July 1980, the Haimen Special Zone was established under the Taizhou Prefecture. The following year, Jiaojiang City was established within its jurisdiction, marking the establishment of a county-level city within Taizhou. In March 1986, Linhai County was abolished and established as a city. In October 1989, Huangyan County was abolished and established as a city. In February 1994, Wenling County was abolished and established as a city. On August 22 of the same year, Taizhou Prefecture was abolished and established as a prefecture-level city, with its administrative seat moved from Linhai to Jiaojiang. Jiaojiang and Huangyan cities were reorganized into three districts: Jiaojiang, Huangyan, and Luqiao. On August 15, 2003, Taizhou officially became a member city of the Yangtze River Delta. In April 2017, Yuhuan County was abolished and established as a city.

4. Geography

4.1 Overview

Taizhou City comprises 3 districts, 3 counties, and administers 3 county-level cities on behalf of the province. It covers an area of 10,038 square kilometers with a population exceeding 6 million. Its coastline stretches over 651 kilometers, accounting for about 3/10 of the mainland coastline of the province. The Taizhou Islands and Dongji Islands are the main offshore island groups of Taizhou, with the largest island being Yuhuan Island (which has been connected to the mainland since 1977). The city center is located at 28° north latitude and 122° east longitude, characterized by a subtropical monsoon climate. The total land area of the city is 10,044.46 square kilometers, of which the terrestrial area is 9,591.30 square kilometers, and the tidal flat area is 453.16 square kilometers. The shallow sea area covers 80,000 square kilometers, and the mainland coastline is 745 kilometers long, constituting 28% of Zhejiang Province's total. Six county-level divisions within the city border the East China Sea.

4.2 Topography

Taizhou is situated in central Zhejiang, facing the sea to the east, bordering Wenzhou to the south, connecting with Lishui and Jinhua to the west, and adjacent to Shaoxing and Ningbo to the north. The maximum east-west width of its land area is 172.8 kilometers, and the maximum north-south length is 147.8 kilometers. Hills and mountains account for two-thirds of the land area, leading to the saying "seven parts mountains, one part water, and two parts farmland." The city's terrain is higher in the west and lower in the east, with the eastern part tending to be flatter. The highest peak is Mishailang on Kuocang Mountain (with an elevation of 1,382.4 meters, also the highest peak in eastern Zhejiang). The Wenhuang Plain is the city's main plain (and also one of the major plains in Zhejiang).

4.3 Hydrology

Most rivers within Taizhou City belong to the Jiaojiang River basin, whose drainage area covers 70% of the city's land area.

4.4 Climate

Taizhou has a subtropical monsoon climate, featuring hot summers, mild winters, abundant rainfall, and pleasant weather. The annual average temperature is 16.7°C, with an annual precipitation of 1,320 mm. Moderated by moisture from the eastern Pacific Ocean and shielded from cold waves by the Kuocang Mountains to the northwest, the city experiences less intense heat in summer and no severe cold in winter. Typhoons are common in summer. From the northern to the southeastern coastal areas, the annual average temperature ranges from 16.6 to 17.5 °C, and the annual average precipitation ranges from 1,185 to 2,029 millimeters.

Meteorological Data for Jiaojiang District, Taizhou City (1981–2010) | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |--------------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|--------|--------|-------|-------|-------|-------|----------| | Record high °C (°F) | 24.9 | 27 | 29.9 | 32 | 33.7 | 36.6 | 40.3 | 39.4 | 36.2 | 32.9 | 29.8 | 25.2 | 40.3 | | | (76.8) | (80.6) | (85.8) | (89.6) | (92.7) | (97.9) | (104.5) | (102.9) | (97.2) | (91.2) | (85.6) | (77.4) | (104.5) | | Average high °C (°F) | 11 | 12 | 15 | 20.3 | 24.8 | 27.9 | 32.3 | 31.7 | 28.3 | 24.2 | 19.4 | 14 | 21.7 | | | (51.8) | (53.6) | (59) | (68.5) | (76.6) | (82.2) | (90.1) | (89.1) | (82.9) | (75.6) | (66.9) | (57.2) | (71.1) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | 6.8 | 7.9 | 10.9 | 15.9 | 20.8 | 24.3 | 28.1 | 27.9 | 24.5 | 19.9 | 14.8 | 9.1 | 17.6 | | | (44.2) | (46.2) | (51.6) | (60.6) | (69.4) | (75.7) | (82.6) | (82.2) | (76.1) | (67.8) | (58.6) | (48.4) | (63.6) | | Average low °C (°F) | 3.6 | 4.8 | 7.8 | 12.6 | 17.7 | 21.7 | 25.1 | 24.9 | 21.6 | 16.5 | 11.4 | 5.5 | 14.4 | | | (38.5) | (40.6) | (46) | (54.7) | (63.9) | (71.1) | (77.2) | (76.8) | (70.9) | (61.7) | (52.5) | (41.9) | (58.0) | | Record low °C (°F) | −6.3 | −4.2 | −5.4 | 1.9 | 8.6 | 13.3 | 18.4 | 19.5 | 13.3 | 3.7 | −0.5 | −7.1 | −7.1 | | | (20.7) | (24.4) | (22.3) | (35.4) | (47.5) | (55.9) | (65.1) | (67.1) | (55.9) | (38.7) | (31.1) | (19.2) | (19.2) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 64.9 | 74.8 | 134 | 122 | 148.2 | 216.9 | 156.5 | 236.4 | 223.9 | 84.5 | 78.3 | 43.3 | 1,583.70 | | | (2.56) | (2.94) | (5.28) | (4.80) | (5.83) | (8.54) | (6.16) | (9.31) | (8.81) | (3.33) | (3.08) | (1.70) | (62.34) | | Average relative humidity (%) | 74 | 77 | 80 | 81 | 83 | 86 | 83 | 84 | 82 | 77 | 74 | 71 | 79 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Taizhou City currently administers 3 municipal districts, 3 counties, and oversees 3 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Jiaojiang District, Huangyan District, Luqiao District
• County-level Cities: Wenling City, Linhai City, Yuhuan City
• Counties: Tiantai County, Xianju County, Sanmen County

Administrative Divisions Map of Taizhou City | Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Land Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|--------------------------|-----------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 331000 | Taizhou City | Tāizhōu Shì | 10,072.43 | 6,622,888 | Jiaojiang District | 318000 | 44 | 61 | 24 | | 331002 | Jiaojiang District| Jiāojiāng Qū | 364 | 826,074 | Haimen Subdistrict | 318000 | 8 | 1 | | | 331003 | Huangyan District | Huángyán Qū | 988.36 | 707,453 | Dongcheng Subdistrict | 318000 | 8 | 5 | 6 | | 331004 | Luqiao District | Lùqiáo Qū | 328.45 | 628,934 | Tongyu Subdistrict | 318000 | 6 | 4 | | | 331022 | Sanmen County | Sānmén Xiàn | 1,117.92 | 379,469 | Haiyou Subdistrict | 317100 | 3 | 6 | 1 | | 331023 | Tiantai County | Tiāntāi Xiàn | 1,431.66 | 474,711 | Chicheng Subdistrict| 317200 | 3 | 7 | 5 | | 331024 | Xianju County | Xiānjū Xiàn | 2,000.10 | 431,888 | Fuying Subdistrict | 317300 | 3 | 7 | 10 | | 331081 | Wenling City | Wēnlǐng Shì | 1,074.29 | 1,416,199 | Taiping Subdistrict | 317500 | 5 | 11 | | | 331082 | Linhai City | Línhǎi Shì | 2,251.22 | 1,114,146 | Gucheng Subdistrict | 317000 | 5 | 14 | | | 331083 | Yuhuan City | Yùhuán Shì | 516.42 | 644,014 | Yucheng Subdistrict | 317600 | 3 | 6 | 2 |

5. Economy

5.1 Economic Overview

Industry serves as the mainstay of the city's economy, forming an industrial system with nine pillar industries: automobile and motorcycle manufacturing (including whole vehicles and parts), pharmaceuticals and chemicals, molds and plastics, household appliances, garment machinery, valves and water pumps, arts and crafts, food and beverages, and footwear, headwear, and apparel. Forty-eight industrial products hold the top market share nationwide. In 2017, the city's gross regional product reached 438.822 billion yuan, with the urban area contributing 160.285 billion yuan. The total economic output ranked fifth in the province, behind Shaoxing and ahead of Jiaxing. The city's per capita GDP, converted at the annual average exchange rate, reached $10,799. The annual per capita disposable income was 51,374 yuan for urban residents and 25,369 yuan for rural permanent residents. However, the Taizhou region also faces issues of relatively uneven regional development. Coastal areas such as Taizhou's urban districts, Yuhuan, and Wenling are quite affluent, while mountainous areas like Tiantai and Xianju are considered less developed within Zhejiang Province due to factors like transportation.

As of the end of 2008, Taizhou possessed 9 China Famous Trademarks, 19 China Top Brand products, and 189 Zhejiang Famous Brand products.

5.2 Private Economy

Taizhou is an important birthplace of China's private economy, hosting 53 listed companies. The number of domestically listed enterprises ranks fourth among all prefecture-level cities in China. The private economy accounts for over 90% of Taizhou's total economic output. China's first industrially and commercially registered joint-stock cooperative enterprise and the first policy document supporting the development of joint-stock cooperative enterprises both originated in Taizhou. Taizhou is home to three private banks—Zhejiang Tailong Commercial Bank, Taizhou Bank, and Zhejiang Mintai Commercial Bank—a unique feature among prefecture-level cities nationwide.

In 2015, Taizhou City established the Small and Micro Finance Research Institute and released the Taizhou Small and Micro Finance Index. In December 2015, Taizhou City was approved as a National-level Pilot Zone for Innovation in Financial Reforms for Small and Micro Enterprises.

5.3 Energy

5.4 Electricity

Taizhou's power sector involves various forms including thermal power, hydropower, wind power, tidal energy, nuclear power, and pumped-storage hydropower. It is rare for a region in China to possess such a diverse range of power generation methods. Among these, the thermal power, tidal energy, and nuclear power generation enterprises have relatively large installed capacities within the industry. Major power generation enterprises include:

• Taizhou Power Plant: Located on Qiansuo Street in Jiaojiang District, it is a large-scale thermal power enterprise primarily providing power supply for Taizhou, Wenzhou, and other areas. Its current total installed capacity is 2.07 million kilowatts.
• Huaneng Yuhuan Power Plant: Located in the Damaiyu Development Zone of Yuhuan City, it is a large-scale thermal power enterprise with a planned installed capacity of 4 million kilowatts. It is currently the power plant with the largest single-unit capacity in mainland China. The first phase of the project has been completed and is operational.
• Wenling Jiangxia Tidal Power Station: Located in Jiangxia, Wenling, it has a total installed capacity of 3,200 kilowatts. It is currently the largest tidal power station in China and the third largest in the world.
• Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant: Located in Sanmen County, Taizhou, it is planned to have six million-kilowatt units. It is the second nuclear power plant in Zhejiang Province and was connected to the grid in 2018.
• Zhejiang Tongbai Pumped-Storage Power Station: Located in Baizhang Village, Qixia Township, Tiantai County, it has a total installed capacity of 1.2 million kilowatts. Jointly constructed by six entities including East China Electric Power Group Corporation, Shanghai Electric Power Company, and Zhejiang Electric Power Company, it is one of the main peak-shaving power stations in East China.
• Kuocangshan Wind Farm: Located on Mishailang Peak of Kuocang Mountain in Linhai, at an altitude of 1,380 meters, it is the highest-altitude wind farm in the world and one of China's four major wind farms.
• Wenling Donghaitang Wind Farm: Located within the Donghaitang reclamation area east of Ruoheng Town, Wenling City, it stretches from Shangmeng Mountain in the north to Hengqi Mountain in the south along the Donghaitang seawall. The first phase currently has 20 wind turbines. The generator wind rotor diameter reaches 80 meters, with the rotor center 67 meters above ground. The turbine blades are over 39 meters long, with each turbine having a capacity of 2 megawatts, making it the largest single-unit capacity in China at the time.
• Dachen Island Wind Farm: Construction began in June 2008, located on Shangdachen Island. The first phase will install 34 wind turbine units with a single-unit capacity of 750 kilowatts each, totaling 25,500 kilowatts in installed capacity. The estimated annual power generation is about 58.9 million kilowatt-hours. Zhejiang Xingxing Wind Power Co., Ltd. is the project owner.

6. Transportation

6.1 Highways

The main highways within the area are National Highways 104, 228, and 351; the G15 Yongtaiwen Expressway; the G1522 Shangshan Expressway (also known as G1522 Changtai Expressway); the S28 Taijin Expressway; the S26 Zhuyong Expressway; and the G1523 Zhejiang Coastal Expressway (Yongguan Expressway). Additionally, there are 14 provincial highways and 101 county-level roads.

6.2 Ports

Taizhou is a coastal city with abundant port resources. The city currently has 15 major ports, including 9 coastal ports and 6 river ports. Taizhou Port is the primary coastal port, consisting of six port areas: Jiantiao, Linhai, Haimen, Huangyan, Wenling, and Damaiyu.

6.3 Civil Aviation

Taizhou Luqiao Airport (formerly Huangyan Luqiao Airport, renamed Taizhou Luqiao Airport on December 23, 2008, with arrival and departure station names changed to "Taizhou") is the only airport in the area. It began operations in 1988 and was the first county-level civil aviation station in China at the time. In 2008, the airport handled 407,700 passenger trips, an increase of 10.9% over the previous year (ranking 59th among national civil aviation airports in passenger throughput that year); cargo and mail throughput was 3,235 tons, an increase of 16.4%. In 2011, passenger throughput reached 628,268 trips, ranking 65th nationally. In 2017, passenger throughput was 821,965 trips, cargo and mail throughput was 6,841.7 tons, and takeoffs and landings totaled 6,454 flights, with passenger throughput ranking sixth among Zhejiang's civil airports. Due to limited aviation capacity, a new airport is currently in the planning and construction phase.

6.4 Railways

The Yongtaiwen Railway is part of the Hangzhou-Fuzhou-Shenzhen Passenger Dedicated Line. It commenced trial operations on September 28, 2009. Within Taizhou, it includes stations at Sanmen County, Linhai, Taizhou West, Taizhou South (a freight station), and Wenling. It currently provides direct access to cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shaoxing, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Fuzhou, and Xiamen. The Jintai Railway commenced construction in 2016 and opened to traffic in June 2021. The Hangtai High-Speed Railway opened on January 8, 2022. Within Taizhou, it includes stations at Tiantai Mountain, Linhai, Taizhou, and Wenling, with plans to extend to Yuhuan City, adding Wenling West and Yuhuan stations. The Hangwen High-Speed Rail project began construction in 2017 and was completed in 2021, passing through Xianju County in Taizhou City. The Xianju section is approximately 33.4 kilometers long, with an estimated investment of 6.4 billion yuan. It passes through Guanlu Town, Tianshi Town, and Shangzhang Township, with Xianju Station located in Xichen Village, Guanlu Town, about 9 kilometers from the main urban area of Xianju.

6.5 Suburban Railway

The Taizhou Suburban Railway is planned to be operated by the newly established Intercity Railway Group Company, using EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) trains with a maximum speed of 140 km/h. The near-term plan includes two lines: S1 and S2.

The Taizhou Suburban Railway S1 Line (Phase I) commenced construction on November 17, 2016, with a planned construction period of four years, and opened on December 28, 2022.

The pilot section of the Taizhou Suburban Railway S2 Line began construction in February 2023.

7. Education

7.1 Ancient Imperial Examination

According to the Republic of China-era "Taizhou Prefecture Gazetteer," from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, a total of 907 individuals achieved the Jinshi degree in the civil service examinations. This includes 2 from the Tang Dynasty, 587 from the Song Dynasty, 9 from the Yuan Dynasty, 271 from the Ming Dynasty, and 38 from the Qing Dynasty. Historical records indicate that the earliest Jinshi from the region was Xiang Si. Throughout the successive dynasties' imperial examinations, the Taizhou area produced 3 Zhuangyuan (top scorers), 3 Bangyan (second-place scorers), 2 Tanhua (third-place scorers) in the civil examinations, as well as 3 Wuzhuangyuan (military top scorers) and 1 Wutanhua (military third-place scorer).

Higher Education Institutions

Taizhou University Taizhou Vocational & Technical College Taizhou Vocational College of Science & Technology Taizhou Radio & TV University Zhejiang Automobile Vocational & Technical College

Key High Schools

Provincial First Tier

Taizhou No.1 High School Huangyan High School Luqiao High School Hongjia High School Shusheng High School (Private) Taizhou High School Huipu High School Datian High School Wenling High School Xinhe High School Wenling No.2 High School Tiantai High School Tiantai County Pingqiao High School Xianju High School Sanmen High School Yuhuan High School, Chumen High School

Provincial Second Tier (10 schools as of 2008)

Sanmei High School, Jiaojiang District Huangyan No.2 Senior High School Pengjie Private High School, Luqiao District Duqiao High School, Linhai City Yuqing High School, Tiantai County Yucheng High School, Yuhuan City Wenling City: Wenling Zhijiang Senior High School, Wenling Ruoheng High School, Wenling Daxi High School, Wenling Songmen High School

Provincial Third Tier (3 schools as of 2008)

Taizhou Experimental High School Linhai No.6 High School Wenling Zeguo High School

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 6,622,888. Compared with the 5,968,838 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 654,050 people over the past ten years, representing a growth of 10.96%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.05%. Among them, the male population was 3,443,061, accounting for 51.99% of the total population; the female population was 3,179,827, accounting for 48.01% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 108.28. The population aged 0–14 was 972,849, accounting for 14.69% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 4,354,170, accounting for 65.74% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 1,295,869, accounting for 19.57% of the total population, of which those aged 65 and above numbered 913,942, accounting for 13.8% of the total population. The urban population was 4,104,712, accounting for 61.98% of the total population; the rural population was 2,518,176, accounting for 38.02% of the total population.

By the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 6.678 million, an increase of 17,000 from the end of the previous year. The urbanization rate of the city was 63.9%.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group numbered 6,435,024, accounting for 97.16%; ethnic minorities numbered 187,864, accounting for 2.84%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population increased by 581,709, a growth of 9.94%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.9 percentage points; the ethnic minority population increased by 72,341, a growth of 62.62%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.9 percentage points.

8.2 Language

The Taizhou dialect belongs to the Taizhou subgroup of the Southern Wu language area. The Taizhou dialect is represented by the Linhai dialect. It can be further divided into the Southern Taizhou and Northern Taizhou sub-dialects. Southern Taizhou includes Linhai, Huangyan, Jiaojiang, Luqiao, Wenling, Yuhuan, and Yueqing (north of Qingjiang), with phonology close to that of the Northern Wu sub-dialects, represented by the urban dialect and the Wenling dialect. Northern Taizhou includes Sanmen, Tiantai, Xianju, and Ninghai (south of Chalu), represented by the Tiantai dialect.

A few areas use the Southern Min language, such as Kanmen and Chenyu in Yuhuan, and Ruoshan in Wenling.

8.3 Local Products

Located on the southeastern coast of China, Taizhou benefits from both mountain and sea resources, featuring a subtropical climate. It boasts abundant marine fishery products and terrestrial cash crops and was the first place in the country where rice yield per mu exceeded 500 kilograms and 1,000 kilograms.

Since 1995, Taizhou's aquatic product output has surpassed that of Zhoushan, ranking first in the province. Its mariculture output has remained the highest in the province for 19 consecutive years. Taizhou has the widest variety of renowned fruits in the province. Wenling watermelons, Huangyan mandarins, Linhai Yongquan mandarins, Yuhuan pomelos, Dongkui bayberries, and Wenling sugarcane are famous both within and outside the province for their exceptional quality.

9. Religion

Taizhou is the ancestral home of the Southern School of Chinese Taoism and the birthplace of the Tiantai School of Buddhism. After the Opium War, Protestantism and Catholicism began to spread into Taizhou.

9.1 Taoism

Among the Ten Great Grotto-Heavens of Taoism, Taizhou holds three: the Weiyu Mountain Grotto in Huangyan (the Second Grotto-Heaven), the Yujing Grotto on Chicheng Mountain in Tiantai (the Sixth Grotto-Heaven), and the Kuocang Mountain Grotto in Xianju (the Tenth Grotto-Heaven). Among the Thirty-Six Lesser Grotto-Heavens, Gaizhu Mountain in Linhai City is the Nineteenth Grotto-Heaven. Taizhou is home to seven of the Seventy-Two Blessed Lands: Tiantai Lingxu, Sima Hui Mountain; Huangyan Dongxianyuan, Shike Mountain; Wenling Xixianyuan, Qingyu Mountain; and Yuhuan Yuliu Mountain. During the Song Dynasty, the Inner Alchemy doctrine emerged, and the Southern School of Chinese Taoism, represented by Zhang Boduan of Tiantai Mountain, replaced the Shangqing School. Its tenets advocate "cultivating life first, then nature, and harmonizing both life and nature," using the human body as the "cauldron furnace," the body's "essence" and "qi" as the medicinal ingredients, and applying "spirit" to refine them, achieving the unity of essence, qi, and spirit. In his later years, Zhang Boduan resided at Tongbai Palace on Tiantai Mountain and was revered as the founder of the Southern School of Taoism, with Tongbai Palace honored as the ancestral temple of the Southern School.

9.2 Buddhism

Buddhism was introduced to Taizhou around the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The Stone Chan Monastery, established in the first year of the Xingping era (194 AD), is the earliest Buddhist temple in Taizhou. Starting in 575 AD, eminent monks and masters built twelve sites for practice, including the Xiuchan Temple, on Tiantai Mountain, founding the Tiantai School. The Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra, The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra, and The Great Calming and Contemplation are representative works of the Tiantai School.

9.3 Protestantism

Protestantism was first introduced to Taizhou in the early years of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty by the Chinese Anglican Church. Later, the China Inland Mission, the Chinese Methodist Church, the Chinese Jesus Independent Church, the Chinese Jesus Church, and the Local Church (Assembly Hall) successively spread into Taizhou.

9.4 Catholicism

Catholicism was introduced to Taizhou at the end of the fourth year of the Tongzhi reign (1865) of the Qing Dynasty. The first Catholic church was established at Zhaqiao in Jiaojiang in the sixth year of the Tongzhi reign (1867).

10. Culture

10.1 Overview

Taizhou City, located in the southeastern part of Zhejiang Province, is a city with a long history and profound cultural heritage. The culture of Taizhou is diverse and unique, integrating various elements such as maritime culture, agricultural culture, folk culture, and red culture, forming a distinctive cultural landscape.

10.2 Maritime Culture

Taizhou City is renowned for its abundant marine resources and is often referred to as the "Pearl of the East China Sea." The maritime culture of Taizhou is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Marine Economy: Taizhou's marine economy is well-developed, with fisheries, shipbuilding, and marine tourism being important components of its economy.
• Marine Folklore: The marine folklore of Taizhou is rich and diverse, including activities such as fishermen's sea worship ceremonies and fishing festivals, reflecting the reverence and dependence of the local people on the ocean.

10.3 Agricultural Culture

The agricultural culture of Taizhou City has a long history and is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Traditional Agriculture: Traditional agriculture in Taizhou primarily focuses on rice, citrus fruits, tea, and other crops, forming a unique agricultural culture.
• Farming Customs: The farming customs in Taizhou are rich and varied, including traditional agricultural activities such as spring plowing and autumn harvest, showcasing the diligence and wisdom of the local people.

10.4 Folk Culture

The folk culture of Taizhou City is rich and diverse, mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Traditional Festivals: Traditional festivals in Taizhou include the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. These festivals are not only an important part of folk culture but also a significant aspect of the spiritual life of the people in Taizhou.
• Folk Arts: Folk arts in Taizhou include puppet shows, paper-cutting, embroidery, and more. These art forms not only enrich the cultural life of the city but also preserve and pass down Taizhou's historical and cultural heritage.

10.5 Red Culture

Taizhou City is an important revolutionary base area in Zhejiang Province, with a deep historical foundation in red culture. This is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Revolutionary Sites: There are multiple revolutionary sites in Taizhou, such as the Memorial Hall of the Southeastern Zhejiang Revolutionary Base and the Wenling Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery. These sites serve as important carriers of Taizhou's red culture.
• Red Spirit: The red culture of Taizhou inherits the heroic deeds and revolutionary spirit of the revolutionary martyrs, inspiring the people of Taizhou to continuously move forward.

10.6 Cultural Policies

The Taizhou Municipal Government places great emphasis on cultural development and actively promotes the growth of cultural undertakings. Through organizing various cultural activities, building cultural facilities, and protecting cultural heritage, the Taizhou Municipal Government continuously enhances the city's cultural soft power and fosters cultural prosperity and development.

11. Sister Cities

Muan County, South Korea, 2000.09.27
Tsuruga City, Japan, 2001.11.13
Iquique, Chile, 2005.07.08
Nevers, France, 2006.09.17
Hanau, Germany, 2014.04.11
Fort Wayne, USA, 2015.12
Santos, Brazil (Friendship Exchange City)
Timișoara, Romania (Friendship Exchange City)
Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, People's Republic of China, 2017.9.12

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Named after the Tiantai Mountain in the north of the territory.

Jiaojiang District

Jiaojiang District

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Camphor tree

Osmanthus