Yunfu (云浮)

1. Introduction

Yunfu City (official transliteration: Yunfu, postal romanization: Wanfow) is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China, located in the western part of Guangdong Province. The city borders Zhaoqing City to the north, Foshan City to the east, Jiangmen City, Yangjiang City, and Maoming City to the south, and Wuzhou City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the west. Situated south of the Tropic of Cancer, west of the Pearl River Delta, in the hilly region on the southern bank of the West River, and at the northern branches of Tianlu Mountain, Yunwu Mountain, and Yunkai Mountain, its primary topography consists of low mountains and narrow valley basins. The Luoding River and the Xinxing River, tributaries of the West River, flow through the area. Yunfu was historically rich in marble (Yun stone) and is now renowned for marble processing. The People's Government of Yunfu City is located at Fuqian Road, Yuncheng Subdistrict, Yuncheng District.

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2. History

During the pre-Qin period, the area belonged to the Baiyue territory. By the Qin Dynasty, most of it fell under Guilin Commandery, with a small part administered by Nanhai Commandery.

In the early years of the Han Dynasty, it was part of the Nanyue Kingdom. In the sixth year of the Yuanding era of the Western Han Dynasty (111 BC), Emperor Wu of Han dispatched troops to pacify the Nanyue Kingdom and established Linyun County. In the first year of the Taikang era of the Western Jin Dynasty (280 AD), Duluo County (located in present-day Yunan County) was established.

In the first year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty (742 AD), Yunfu Commandery was established. On the Wuyin day of the eleventh month in the fifth year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (January 3, 1578), Dong'an County was established under the jurisdiction of Luoding Zhili Prefecture.

In the third year of the Republic of China (1914), it was renamed Yunfu County and placed under Yuehai Circuit. In the 17th year of the Republic of China (1928), it came under the jurisdiction of the Western District Pacification Office of Guangdong Province. In the 25th year of the Republic of China (1936), it was placed under the Third Administrative Inspectorate Office of Guangdong Province.

2.1 People's Republic of China Period

On October 27, 1949, the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China captured Yuncheng Town of Yunfu County. By mid-November, the Chinese Communist Party Yunfu County Committee was established, and the county was placed under the Xijiang Special District of Guangdong Province.

In 1952, it was placed under the Central Guangdong Administrative Region. In 1958, it merged with Xinxing County to form Xinyun County, which was placed under the Gaoyao Special District. In April 1959, Xinyun County was renamed Xinxing County and placed under the Jiangmen Special District. In April 1961, the administrative structure of Yunfu County was restored and placed under the Zhaoqing Special District. In January 1988, it was placed under the jurisdiction of Zhaoqing City.

On September 2, 1992, the administrative structure of Yunfu County was abolished, and the county-level Yunfu City was established. It was directly administered by the province but managed by Zhaoqing City on its behalf, with the administrative area of the former Yunfu County becoming the administrative area of Yunfu City.

On April 5, 1994, the State Council approved the elevation of Yunfu City to a prefecture-level city, governing Yuncheng District and managing Xinxing County and Yunan County on behalf of the province. On April 28 of the same year, the Guangdong Provincial People's Government entrusted Yunfu City with the management of Luoding City on its behalf.

On September 9, 2014, with the approval of the State Council, Yun'an County was abolished and merged into Yunfu City, becoming Yun'an District.

3. Geography

Yunfu City is located at the core of the Guangxi-Guangdong hills, with the entire city situated at a relatively high elevation. The climate is classified as a subtropical monsoon climate. Due to Yunfu's high elevation and typical mountainous terrain, and because the city is relatively underdeveloped economically with limited large-scale urbanization in most areas, the annual temperatures are generally lower than those in nearby cities.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | Record high °C | 28.7 | 32.6 | 34 | 35 | 36.1 | 37.5 | 38.3 | 39.1 | 38.1 | 35.3 | 33.3 | 29.6 | 39.1 | | Record high °F | 83.7 | 90.7 | 93.2 | 95 | 97 | 99.5 | 100.9 | 102.4 | 100.6 | 95.5 | 91.9 | 85.3 | 102.4 | | Average high °C | 18.2 | 18.9 | 21.8 | 26.2 | 30.1 | 32.2 | 33.5 | 33.2 | 31.5 | 28.9 | 24.6 | 20.4 | 26.6 | | Average high °F | 64.8 | 66 | 71.2 | 79.2 | 86.2 | 90 | 92.3 | 91.8 | 88.7 | 84 | 76.3 | 68.7 | 79.9 | | Daily mean °C | 13.2 | 14.7 | 17.7 | 22.1 | 25.4 | 27.4 | 28.3 | 28 | 26.4 | 23.4 | 18.8 | 14.5 | 21.7 | | Daily mean °F | 55.8 | 58.5 | 63.9 | 71.8 | 77.7 | 81.3 | 82.9 | 82.4 | 79.5 | 74.1 | 65.8 | 58.1 | 71 | | Average low °C | 9.8 | 11.7 | 14.8 | 19.2 | 22.2 | 24.2 | 24.7 | 24.6 | 23 | 19.6 | 14.7 | 10.5 | 18.3 | | Average low °F | 49.6 | 53.1 | 58.6 | 66.6 | 72 | 75.6 | 76.5 | 76.3 | 73.4 | 67.3 | 58.5 | 50.9 | 64.9 | | Record low °C | 1 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 8.6 | 13.3 | 17.8 | 20.9 | 21.9 | 15.1 | 9.3 | 3.8 | −1.3 | −1.3 | | Record low °F | 33.8 | 35.8 | 37.2 | 47.5 | 55.9 | 64 | 69.6 | 71.4 | 59.2 | 48.7 | 38.8 | 29.7 | 29.7 | | Average precipitation mm | 49.1 | 64.3 | 82.4 | 165.5 | 224.1 | 227.9 | 208.5 | 236.9 | 180.9 | 72.3 | 38.6 | 29.7 | 1580.2 | | Average precipitation inches | 1.93 | 2.53 | 3.24 | 6.52 | 8.82 | 8.97 | 8.21 | 9.33 | 7.12 | 2.85 | 1.52 | 1.17 | 62.21 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 78 | 82 | 84 | 85 | 83 | 83 | 81 | 82 | 80 | 76 | 73 | 73 | 80 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Yunfu City administers 2 districts and 2 counties, and oversees 1 county-level city on behalf of the province.

• Districts: Yuncheng District, Yun'an District
• County-level City: Luoding City
• Counties: Xinxing County, Yunan County

| Division Code | Division Name | Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | |-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|----------------|-------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------| | 445300 | Yunfu City | Yúnfú Shì | 7,785.11 | 2,383,350 | Yuncheng District | 527300 | 8 | 55 | | 445302 | Yuncheng District | Yúnchéng Qū | 776.82 | 408,537 | Yuncheng Subdistrict| 527300 | 4 | 4 | | 445303 | Yun'an District | Yún'ān Qū | 1,184.73 | 235,390 | Liudu Town | 527500 | | 7 | | 445321 | Xinxing County | Xīnxīng Xiàn | 1,521.68 | 430,831 | Xincheng Town | 527400 | | 12 | | 445322 | Yunan County | Yùnán Xiàn | 1,966.20 | 371,661 | Ducheng Town | 527100 | | 15 | | 445381 | Luoding City | Luódìng Shì | 2,327.50 | 936,931 | Luocheng Subdistrict| 527200 | 4 | 17 |

5. Economy

Yunfu City has maintained a favorable economic development trend in recent years, characterized by steady progress and high-quality growth. The following is a detailed analysis of Yunfu City's economic development:

5.1 Economic Growth and Industrial Structure

Economic Growth: In 2023, Yunfu City achieved a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 120.742 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.8%. In the first half of 2024, Yunfu's GDP grew by 4.8% year-on-year, indicating stable and positive economic performance.

Structure of the Three Industries: The proportion of Yunfu's primary, secondary, and tertiary industries is 18.4:32.1:49.5. Specifically, the added value of the primary industry was 22.255 billion yuan, an increase of 5.6%; the secondary industry added value was 38.729 billion yuan, up 3.3%; and the tertiary industry added value reached 59.758 billion yuan, growing by 4.3%.

5.2 Manufacturing and Industrial Development

Manufacturing Investment and Growth: Yunfu City is vigorously developing the metal intelligent manufacturing and green building materials industries, aiming to build a trillion-yuan-level manufacturing cluster. In 2023, Yunfu's industrial added value reached 15.547 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.8%, making it a highlight of industrial growth in the eastern, western, and northern regions of Guangdong.

Key Project Advancement: Yunfu City has introduced several key projects in the manufacturing sector, such as Guangdong Jinshenglan Metallurgical Technology Co., Ltd. and the Southern Donghai Premium Steel Project, with a total investment amounting to tens of billions of yuan. The construction of these projects has accelerated Yunfu's industrial upgrading.

5.3 Agriculture and Rural Economy

Agricultural Development: Yunfu's agriculture has grown steadily, with the total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery reaching 36.46 billion yuan, an increase of 5.8%. Significant results have been achieved in rural revitalization through models like the "government-bank-enterprise-village" jointly built breeding parks.

Fixed Asset Investment and Consumer Market Fixed Asset Investment: Yunfu's fixed asset investment has grown significantly, increasing by 7.5% in 2023, with industrial investment growing by 9.1%, demonstrating strong economic vitality.

Consumer Market: The total retail sales of consumer goods maintained stable growth, increasing by 1.3% in 2023. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained stable, showing the resilience of the consumer market.

5.4 Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Attraction

Foreign Trade Import and Export: Yunfu City's total foreign trade import and export volume growth rate ranked second in the province, demonstrating its competitiveness in international trade.

Policy Support and Future Planning Policy Support: The Yunfu Municipal Government actively introduces pro-enterprise policies, optimizes the business environment, promotes high-quality development in manufacturing, and fosters sustained economic recovery through mechanisms such as "project construction" and "industrial chain investment attraction."

6. Transportation

• Highways: National Highway 234, National Highway 324
• Expressways: G80 Guangzhou–Kunming Expressway, G2518 Shenzhen–Cenxi Expressway, S5 Guangzhou–Taishan Expressway, S14 Shantou–Zhanjiang Expressway, S40 Luoding–Xinyi Expressway, S51 Luoding–Yangjiang Expressway.
• Railways: Yunfu Branch of the Guangzhou–Maoming Railway (Yunfu Station, located in Yuncheng District, currently only handles freight, not passenger service), Nanning–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway (Yunfu East Station). In the past, there was a narrow-gauge railway connecting to the Xijiang River bank (now in Liudu Town, Yun'an District), used for transporting locally produced pyrite to the riverbank, but it has since been abandoned.
• Aviation: Luoding Airport

6.1 Urban Transportation

6.1.1 Public Buses

Yunfu City operates multiple public bus routes. The standard fare within the urban area is generally 2 yuan; long-distance routes use a segmented fare system starting at 2 yuan. Most routes accept the Lingnan Tong card.

6.1.2 Taxis

In the urban area of Yunfu City, the taxi flag-fall fare is 7 yuan for the first 2 kilometers. Beyond 2 kilometers, the fare is 2.4 yuan per kilometer. For one-way trips exceeding 25 kilometers, a 50% empty-return surcharge applies. Waiting time is charged at 0.5 yuan per minute (30 yuan per hour). An additional surcharge of 0.30 yuan per kilometer applies between 22:00 and 6:00.

7. Education

Yunfu City has achieved remarkable progress in the field of education in recent years. Through a series of policies and investments, it has accomplished comprehensive improvements ranging from basic education to higher education.

The Yunfu municipal government places high importance on educational development, adhering to the "education-first" development strategy. Over the past three years, the total financial investment in education in Yunfu has reached 17.662 billion yuan, adding 40,000 basic education seats and establishing 14 new basic education schools. These measures have effectively alleviated the shortage of educational resources, enabling more students to access high-quality education close to home.

Yunfu City has also vigorously promoted the balanced development of basic education. It has merged or closed 14 "small, scattered, and weak" teaching sites in remote rural areas, allowing schools in these regions to enjoy the same educational resources as those in central towns. Additionally, by optimizing the allocation of teaching resources, Yunfu has enhanced the quality and balanced development of compulsory education in both urban and rural areas.

In higher education, Yunfu has made significant breakthroughs. The opening of the Yunfu campus of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University has filled the gap of Yunfu lacking a four-year undergraduate institution, marking the improvement of Yunfu's higher education system. Vocational education has also developed rapidly, with the establishment of multiple vocational schools, deepening the integration of industry and education, and cultivating a large number of technical and skilled talents, providing strong support for local economic development.

To enhance the quality of the teaching workforce, Yunfu has implemented a special plan for urgently needed talents in education, recruiting 690 urgently needed professionals, and improving teachers' teaching abilities and management skills through various methods. At the same time, Yunfu has strengthened support for rural teachers and optimized the structure of the rural teaching workforce.

Through a series of policies and investments, Yunfu City has built a "full-chain education ecosystem" covering all age groups, achieving comprehensive development from preschool education to higher education. These efforts have not only improved the quality of education but also injected new vitality into Yunfu's economic and social development.

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's resident population was 2,383,350. Compared with the 2,367,154 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 16,196 people over the ten-year period, representing a growth of 0.68%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.07%. Among them, the male population was 1,232,840, accounting for 51.73% of the total population; the female population was 1,150,510, accounting for 48.27% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 107.16. The population aged 0–14 was 598,812, accounting for 25.12% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,368,916, accounting for 57.44% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 415,622, accounting for 17.44% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 297,804, accounting for 12.5% of the total population. The urban population was 1,043,289, accounting for 43.77% of the total population; the rural population was 1,340,061, accounting for 56.23% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's resident population, the Han Chinese population was 2,366,079, accounting for 99.28%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 17,271, accounting for 0.72%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han Chinese population increased by 6,098, a growth of 0.26%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.42 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 10,098, a growth of 140.78%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.42 percentage points.

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9. Culture

Yunfu City boasts a profound historical and cultural heritage, with its three core cultural elements—Zen culture, stone culture, and Nanjiang culture—serving as the foundation for the city’s cultural development. Zen culture attracts nationwide and even global attention due to its long history and unique influence; stone culture is renowned for its abundant stone resources and carving artistry; while Nanjiang culture, characterized by ancient ruins, traditional villages, and folk customs, showcases the history and traditions of the Lingnan region.

In terms of public cultural services, Yunfu City has made significant progress in recent years. The city has achieved full coverage of public cultural facilities at all four administrative levels, all of which are open to the public free of charge. Libraries, cultural centers, and comprehensive cultural stations in towns (streets) all meet or exceed national secondary-level standards, and the compliance rate of comprehensive cultural service centers in administrative villages (communities) has also reached a high level. Additionally, Yunfu City has enriched the cultural lives of its residents by innovating service methods, such as organizing square cultural activities and implementing the "Three Cultural Initiatives to the Countryside" program.

In the cultural industry sector, Yunfu City actively promotes the deep integration of cultural tourism and cultural industries. Leveraging its unique resources such as Zen culture, stone culture, and Nanjiang culture, Yunfu City has developed a series of cultural and creative products and enhanced the added value of cultural products through the integration of culture and tourism. For example, the city has launched cultural and tourism products that combine Zen culture, stone culture, and Nanjiang culture. These products not only enrich market offerings but also elevate the visibility of Yunfu’s cultural identity.

Yunfu City also places emphasis on organizing cultural events, further promoting cultural dissemination and exchange through various festivals and cultural惠民 projects. For instance, the city has successfully hosted multiple provincial-level brand cultural activities, which have enhanced residents’ sense of cultural participation and satisfaction.

The cultural development of Yunfu City exhibits diversity and high quality. By tapping into and utilizing its rich local cultural resources, the city continuously improves the level of public cultural services, drives the growth of the cultural industry, and enhances residents’ cultural experiences and sense of happiness through diverse cultural activities.

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Yuncheng District

Luoding City

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Flame Tree

Flame tree flower