Xingan League (兴安盟)

1. Introduction

Xing'an League (Mongolian: ᠬᠢᠩᠭᠠᠨ ᠠᠢᠮᠠᠭ, transcribed by Poppe: Qingγan ayimaγ, Cyrillic: Хянган аймаг) is a league under the jurisdiction of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, located in the northeastern part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Its territory borders Hulunbuir City to the north, Qiqihar City of Heilongjiang Province and Baicheng City of Jilin Province to the east, Tongliao City to the south, and Xilingol League and Mongolia to the west. Situated in the transitional zone between the middle slopes of the Greater Khingan Mountains and the Songnen Plain, its main rivers include the Chuo'er River, Tao'er River, and Huolin River, all of which flow eastward into the Nen River. The Han Chinese population accounts for approximately 54% of the league's total population, while the Mongolian population makes up about 41%. The league's administrative office is located in Ulanhot City. "Xing'an" is a Manchu phonetic transliteration meaning "hills." In October 2019, Xing'an League was awarded the title of "China's Grassland Ecological Rice Capital."

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2. History

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the area of Xing'an League was inhabited by the Donghu people. In the early Han Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of Liaodong Commandery in the Youzhou Inspectorate. During the Three Kingdoms and Western Jin Dynasty, it became a region where the Xianbei people were active. In the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, it was inhabited by the Shiwei people. In the second year of the Zongzhang era of the Tang Dynasty (669 AD), it was placed under the Juyan Protectorate; in the fifteenth year of the Yuanhe era of the Tang Dynasty (820 AD), it was transferred to the Shiwei Protectorate. During the Liao Dynasty, it belonged to Jinshan County of Taizhou in the Shangjing Circuit. In the Jin Dynasty, it was under the administration of Taizhou in the Linhuangfu Circuit, with military control exercised by the Northeast Route Command. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was part of Taining Circuit in the Liaoyang Province. In the early Ming Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of Taining Guard, subordinate to the Daning Regional Military Commission. In the fourth year of the Yongle era (1406 AD), the Mudalishan Guard was established and placed under the Nurgan Regional Military Commission.

During the Qing Dynasty, the area served as pastureland for the Mongol Khorchin tribe. In the first year of the Chongde era (1636 AD), 49 Mongol lords from 16 tribes in Southern Mongolia recognized Hong Taiji of the Later Jin as the Bogda Sechen Khan. The Qing Dynasty reorganized Mongol tribes into banners, establishing six banners for the Khorchin tribe, two banners for the Gorlos tribe, one banner for the Jalaid tribe, and one banner for the Dörbed tribe. These banners convened an assembly at Jerim Mountain (located in present-day Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner), marking the establishment of Jerim League. In the thirtieth year of the Kangxi era (1691 AD), the third-generation prince of the Jasagtu Banner, Očir, built a family temple in what is now the urban area of Ulanhot. Local residents referred to it as "Wangye Temple" (Prince's Temple), and the area also came to be known by this name.

On August 19, 1912, the Provisional Government of the Republic of China promulgated the "Regulations on the Treatment of Mongolia," stipulating that the league and banner system and the original jurisdiction of Mongol princes would remain unchanged. In 1929, the Xing'an Land Reclamation Office was established. After the September 18 Incident, the area was occupied. In 1932, the Manchukuo regime established Xing'an Province in Wangye Temple, governing three sub-provinces: South Xing'an, North Xing'an, and East Xing'an (later, West Xing'an Sub-province was added). In December 1934, Xing'an Province was abolished, and the four sub-provinces were directly redesignated as provinces. Xing'an League was placed under South Xing'an Province. After the victory of the Chinese War of Resistance Against Japan, the Nationalist Government announced a new provincial plan for Northeast China, transferring Xing'an League to Liaobei Province, which was newly established from part of Liaoning Province.

On February 15, 1946, the East Mongolian People's Autonomous Government and the Xing'an League Government were established. On April 28 of the same year, the Xing'an Provincial Government and the Xing'an League Government were formed. On May 1, 1947, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Government, led by the Chinese Communist Party, was established, with Ulanhu serving as the Chairman of the Autonomous Government.

• In 1953, Hulanbuir League, Xing'an League, and Jerim League were merged to establish the Eastern Region Administrative Office of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with its seat in Ulanhot City.
• In 1954, the administrative office was abolished, and the former Xing'an League was merged with Hulanbuir League, renamed Hulunbuir League.
• In 1969, Jalaid Banner was transferred to Heilongjiang Province along with Hulunbuir League; Horqin Right Wing Front Banner and Tuquan County were transferred to Baicheng Prefecture in Jilin Province; Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner was transferred to Jilin Province along with Jerim League.
• In 1979, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was restored to its original administrative structure. Jalaid Banner, Horqin Right Wing Front Banner, and Tuquan County were returned to Hulunbuir League, while Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner remained part of Jerim League.
• In 1980, the administrative structure of Xing'an League was restored.

3. Geography

The Greater Khingan Range traverses the entire territory, with the western side being part of the Mongolian Plateau and the eastern side part of the Songliao Plain. It is an important forest and pastoral region. Xing'an League borders Mongolia to the northwest, Jilin Province to the east, and Heilongjiang Province to the northeast, covering a total area of 67,706 square kilometers. Located in the transitional zone from the Greater Khingan Range to the Songnen Plain, the elevation ranges from 150 to 1,800 meters. Mountains and hills account for about 95% of the area, while plains make up about 5%. The forested areas are mainly concentrated in the mid-mountain zones along the main ridge of the Greater Khingan Range, covering over 7,000 square kilometers. Pastoral areas are primarily located in the low-mountain zones of Ulan Mod, spanning over 8,000 square kilometers. Semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral areas, as well as agricultural zones, are distributed across low mountains, hills, and plains, covering approximately 45,000 square kilometers.

Xing'an League has over 200 rivers of varying sizes, belonging to the Nen River, Argun River, West Liao River, and inland river systems. The main rivers are seven: the Chaor River, Tao'er River, Guiliu River, Halaha River, Huolin River, Handahan River, and Jiaoliu River, all originating from the Greater Khingan Range. Most rivers belong to the Nen River system, with a basin area of 49,041 square kilometers, accounting for 82% of the league's total area. The Halaha River, located on the western foothills of the Greater Khingan Range, belongs to the Argun River system, with a basin area of 4,118 square kilometers, accounting for 6.9% of the league's total area. The West Liao River system includes the Wunageqi River, with a basin area of 6,413 square kilometers, accounting for 10.7% of the league's total area. The inland river system includes the Ulagai River basin, covering 234 square kilometers, accounting for 0.4% of the league's total area.

Xing'an League lies within the temperate continental monsoon climate zone, characterized by distinct vertical climate variations, four distinct seasons, and significant regional differences. Spring is dry and windy, with rapid temperature increases and large diurnal temperature variations. Summer is warm and short, lasting about two months in most parts of the league, while the northwestern mid-mountain areas experience connected spring and autumn with no summer. The highest annual temperatures occur in July. Autumn sees a sharp drop in temperatures, with early frost. Winter is cold and prolonged, lasting 5–6 months in most parts of the league and up to 7 months in the northwestern forested areas. The lowest annual temperatures occur in January. The average annual temperature in most areas is 4–6°C, while in the northwestern forested areas, it is -3.2°C. The frost-free period in most areas is 120–140 days, while in the northwestern mountainous regions, it is 51 days. The region enjoys abundant sunlight and rich solar energy resources, with annual total solar radiation ranging from 5,500 to 6,000 megajoules per square meter in most areas. The multi-year average annual precipitation ranges from 373 to 467 millimeters, with significant interannual variability and low reliability. About 72–78% of the annual precipitation occurs from June to August.

Ulanhot City Meteorological Data (1971–2000)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|---------|---------|---------|---------| | Record high °C (°F) | 6.0 (42.8) | 11.7 (53.1) | 23.5 (74.3) | 31.7 (89.1) | 38.3 (100.9) | 40.3 (104.5) | 39.7 (103.5) | 37.1 (98.8) | 32.5 (90.5) | 29.9 (85.8) | 18.9 (66.0) | 7.7 (45.9) | 40.3 (104.5) | | Average high °C (°F) | -8.6 (16.5) | -4.0 (24.8) | 3.8 (38.8) | 14.3 (57.7) | 22.2 (72.0) | 26.5 (79.7) | 28.1 (82.6) | 26.9 (80.4) | 21.3 (70.3) | 12.6 (54.7) | 1.2 (34.2) | -6.5 (20.3) | 11.5 (52.7) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -15.0 (5.0) | -11.1 (12.0) | -3.0 (26.6) | 7.2 (45.0) | 15.2 (59.4) | 20.4 (68.7) | 22.9 (73.2) | 21.0 (69.8) | 14.4 (57.9) | 5.6 (42.1) | -4.9 (23.2) | -12.4 (9.7) | 5.0 (41.1) | | Average low °C (°F) | -20.3 (−4.5) | -17.1 (1.2) | -9.6 (14.7) | 0.0 (32.0) | 7.7 (45.9) | 14.3 (57.7) | 17.8 (64.0) | 15.4 (59.7) | 8.0 (46.4) | -0.4 (31.3) | -9.9 (14.2) | -17.2 (1.0) | -0.9 (30.3) | | Record low °C (°F) | -33.7 (−28.7) | -31.2 (−24.2) | -25.4 (−13.7) | -13.6 (7.5) | -4.5 (23.9) | 2.9 (37.2) | 10.4 (50.7) | 6.0 (42.8) | -3.5 (25.7) | -17.4 (0.7) | -26.4 (−15.5) | -32.9 (−27.2) | -33.7 (−28.7) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 1.3 (0.05) | 2.3 (0.09) | 4.8 (0.19) | 14.8 (0.58) | 28.8 (1.13) | 93.4 (3.68) | 148.6 (5.85) | 89.4 (3.52) | 37.3 (1.47) | 16.8 (0.66) | 3.2 (0.13) | 1.9 (0.07) | 442.6 (17.42) | | Average precipitation days (≥0.1 mm) | 1.6 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 6.8 | 12.3 | 13.8 | 10.9 | 7.9 | 3.9 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 72.1 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Xing'an League currently administers 2 county-level cities, 1 county, and 3 banners.

• County-level cities: Ulanhot City, Arxan City
• County: Tuquan County
• Banners: Horqin Right Front Banner, Horqin Right Middle Banner, Jalaid Banner

| Division Code | Division Name Traditional Mongolian Script | Hanyu Pinyin Latin Transliteration | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | of which: Ethnic Townships | Sums | |----------|----------------|----------------|----------------|--------------------|------------|----------|------------|----|----|--------------|------| | 152200 | Xing'an League ᠬᠢᠩᠭᠠᠨ ᠠᠢᠮᠠᠭ | Xīng'ān Méng Qingγan ayimaγ | 55,130.73 | 1,416,929 | Ulanhot City | 137400 | 15 | 37 | 7 | 1 | 12 | | 152201 | Ulanhot City ᠤᠯᠠᠭᠠᠨᠬᠤᠲᠠ᠎ᠶ᠋ᠢᠨ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ | Wūlánhàotè Shì Ulaγanqota | 2,239.65 | 356,035 | Heping Subdistrict | 137400 | 11 | 4 | | | | | 152202 | Arxan City ᠷᠠᠰᠢᠶᠠᠨ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ | Ā'ěrshān Shì Rasiyan qota | 7,397.75 | 32,301 | Wenquan Subdistrict | 137800 | 4 | 4 | | | | | 152221 | Horqin Right Front Banner ᠬᠣᠷᠴᠢᠨ ᠪᠠᠷᠠᠭᠤᠨ ᠭᠠᠷᠤᠨ ᠡᠮᠦᠨᠡᠲᠦ ᠬᠣᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Kē'ěrqìn Yòuyì Qián Qí Qorčin baraγun γarun emünedü qosiγu | 16,791.17 | 285,392 | Horqin Town | 137700 | | 9 | 2 | 1 | 3 | | 152222 | Horqin Right Middle Banner ᠬᠣᠷᠴᠢᠨ ᠪᠠᠷᠠᠭᠤᠨ ᠭᠠᠷᠤᠨ ᠳᠤᠮᠳᠠᠳᠤ ᠬᠣᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Kē'ěrqìn Yòuyì Zhōng Qí Qorčin baraγun γarun dumdadu qosiγu | 12,789.67 | 207,380| Bayan Hushu Town | 029400 | | 6 | | | 6 | | 152223 | Jalaid Banner ᠵᠠᠯᠠᠢᠳ ᠬᠣᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Zhālàitè Qí J̌alaid qosiγu | 11,115.53 | 315,153| Yinder Town | 137600 | | 8 | 2 | | 3 | | 152224 | Tuquan County ᠲᠦᠴᠢᠤᠸᠠᠨ ᠰᠢᠶᠠᠨ | Tūquán Xiàn Tüčiuvan siyan | 4,796.95 | 220,668| Tuquan Town | 137500 | | 6 | 3 | | |

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5. Population

At the end of 2022, the permanent resident population of the league was 1.396 million, a decrease of 9,400 people from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban population was 754,700, and the rural population was 641,300; the urbanization rate of the permanent resident population reached 54.06%, an increase of 0.28 percentage points from the previous year. The male population was 704,900, and the female population was 691,100. The annual number of births was 7,500, with a birth rate of 5.34‰; the number of deaths was 10,100, with a death rate of 7.24‰.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the permanent resident population of the league was 1,416,929. Compared with the 1,613,250 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the population decreased by 196,321 over the ten years, a decline of 12.17%, with an average annual growth rate of -1.29%. Among them, the male population was 717,239, accounting for 50.62% of the total population; the female population was 699,690, accounting for 49.38% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 102.51. The population aged 0–14 was 205,356, accounting for 14.49% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 956,381, accounting for 67.5% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 255,192, accounting for 18.01% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 163,348, accounting for 11.53% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 754,183, accounting for 53.23% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 662,746, accounting for 46.77% of the total population.

5.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the permanent resident population, the Han population was 753,335, accounting for 53.17%; the Mongolian population was 593,223, accounting for 41.87%; and the population of other ethnic minorities was 70,371, accounting for 4.97%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population decreased by 121,056, a decline of 13.84%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 1.03 percentage points; the population of all ethnic minorities decreased by 75,261, a decline of 10.19%, and their proportion of the total population increased by 1.03 percentage points. Among them, the Mongolian population decreased by 72,603, a decline of 10.9%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.59 percentage points; the Manchu population decreased by 4,208, a decline of 6.75%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.24 percentage points.

Ethnic Composition of Xing'an League (November 2020)

| Ethnic Group | Han | Mongolian | Manchu | Korean | Hui | Daur | Miao | Xibe | Dong | Tujia | Other Ethnic Groups | |------------------|------------|---------------|------------|------------|----------|------------|----------|----------|----------|------------|--------------------------| | Population | 753,335 | 593,223 | 58,144 | 4,511 | 3,137 | 1,259 | 635 | 407 | 338 | 302 | 1,638 | | Percentage of Total Population (%) | 53.17 | 41.87 | 4.10 | 0.32 | 0.22 | 0.09 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.12 | | Percentage of Minority Population (%) | - | 89.40 | 8.76 | 0.68 | 0.47 | 0.19 | 0.10 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.25 |

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Xing'an League, "Xing'an" is a Manchu word meaning "hills." It is located at the southern foot of the Greater Khingan Mountains, hence the name.

Ulanhot City

Ulanhot City

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