Benxi (本溪)

1. Introduction

Benxi City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China. It is a larger city approved by the State Council and is located in the eastern part of Liaoning Province. The city borders Fushun City to the north, Shenyang City and Liaoyang City to the west, Dandong City to the south, and Tonghua City of Jilin Province to the east. Situated in the mountainous area of eastern Liaoning, the terrain is higher in the east and lower in the west, with a high forest coverage rate. The Taizi River enters from the central area and flows westward through the main urban district, while the Hun River flows through the eastern part of the city. The city features large reservoirs such as Guanyinge, Huanren, and Huilongshan. The Municipal People's Government is located in Xihu District. Benxi is an important old industrial base in China, rich in mineral resources, and is hailed as the "Geological Museum." It is a renowned steel city in China, famous for producing high-quality coking coal, low-phosphorus iron, and special steel. It is often referred to as the "Green Steel Capital" and the "Medicine Capital of China." In 2003, Benxi was ranked 5th among China's best cities for infrastructure by the World Bank.

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2. History

Benxi City has a long history. The ancient human cultural site excavated at Miaohou Mountain indicates that human ancestors lived and multiplied here as early as the Paleolithic Age, 400,000 to 500,000 years ago. This not only fills the gap of human fossils from the Paleolithic Age in Northeast China but also provides valuable historical materials for studying the distribution and migration of humans in Northeast Asia.

During the Warring States period, Benxi was part of the Liaodong Commandery of the State of Yan. From the Qin Dynasty to the Han Dynasty, Benxi belonged to Xiangping County, and later to Goguryeo until the Tang Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of Liaocheng Prefecture of the Andong Protectorate. In the Yuan Dynasty, Benxi County was part of Liaoyang Route under the Liaoyang Province. During the Ming Dynasty, Benxi County was under the Dongning Guard of the Liaodong Regional Military Commission.

In the 31st year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1905), Japanese businessman Ōkura Kihachirō established the "Benxihu Coal Mine." In October 1911, it was renamed "Benxihu Coal and Iron Co., Ltd.," marking the beginning of Benxi's coal and iron industry.

In the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1906), the Qing government carved out the Benxihu area and its surroundings from the jurisdictions of Liaoyang Prefecture, Xingjing Subprefecture, and Fenghuang Subprefecture to establish Benxi County, with its administrative seat located in Benxihu. Benxi County was initially under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Frontier Circuit and later under Fengtian Province.

In 1939, the puppet Manchukuo government established Benxihu City.

On September 18, 1945, troops of the Sixteenth Military District of the Jireliao Military Region, led by the Chinese Communist Party, entered Benxi. On May 3, 1946, the Nationalist government regained control of the Benxi area. On October 1, 1946, the Nationalist government's Liaoning Provincial Government ordered the abolition of Benxihu City, with its original jurisdiction merged into Benxi County.

After the Northeast People's Liberation Army liberated the entire Benxi area in 1948, Benxi City was established under the jurisdiction of Andong Province. In April 1949, the Northeast Administrative Committee decided to merge Andong Province and Liaoning Province to form Liaodong Province and Liaoxi Province. Benxi City was placed directly under the Northeast Administrative Committee, while Benxi County was placed under Liaodong Province.

In the early years of the People's Republic of China, Benxi City had the only railway connecting to Korea at the time, serving as a critical strategic passage during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, making it a strategically important town.

In September 1952, the Central People's Government decided to abolish Benxi County, with its original jurisdiction also merged into Benxi City.

In April 1953, Benxi City became a municipality directly under the Central People's Government. In June 1954, it was placed under the jurisdiction of Liaoning Province. In May 1956, Benxi County was re-established and administered by Benxi City on its behalf. In 1959, Huanren County and Benxi County were placed under the jurisdiction of Benxi City. In April 1966, Huanren County was transferred to the jurisdiction of Dandong City, and in December 1968, it was returned to the jurisdiction of Benxi City.

In September 1989, Benxi County was abolished and replaced by the Benxi Manchu Autonomous County.

On July 25, 1992, the State Council approved Benxi City as a "relatively large city."

3. Geography

Overview
Benxi is situated between 123°34′ and 125°46′ east longitude and 40°49′ and 41°35′ north latitude. The entire region is shaped like a dumbbell, with a total area of 8,411.3 square kilometers. The terrain is characterized by overlapping peaks and rolling mountains, with more mountainous land than flat land. Mountains account for 80% of the area, cultivated land for 8.7%, and water bodies and other land uses for 11.3%, forming a natural landscape described as "eight parts mountains, one part water, and one part farmland."

Benxi City borders Shenyang and Fushun to the north (77 kilometers from Shenyang and 79 kilometers from Fushun), Dandong to the south (198 kilometers from Dandong), Liaoyang (46 kilometers from Liaoyang) and Anshan to the west, and Jilin to the east (150 kilometers from Tonghua). Benxi is a central city in the urban agglomeration of central Liaoning, a renowned heavy industrial base in China, a megacity designated by the State Council, and an outstanding tourist city in China. It is also recognized as a national advanced city for ethnic unity, a national advanced city for law-based governance, and a national model city for mutual support between the military and civilians.

Climate
Benxi has a humid temperate continental monsoon climate, with four distinct seasons and abundant rainfall throughout the year. The average annual temperature in the region is 7.8°C, with the lowest winter temperature dropping to -32.3°C. The frost-free period lasts 130–150 days, while the freezing period is approximately 180 days. The average annual rainfall is 793.7 millimeters, with rainfall concentrated in July and August, accounting for 50% to 70% of the annual total. Throughout the year, spring is mild and sunny, summer is slightly muggy and rainy, autumn is clear and refreshing, and winter is icy and snowy. Spring and autumn are short, while autumn is the best season for tourism.

4. Administrative Divisions

• Benxi City currently administers 4 municipal districts and 2 autonomous counties.
• Municipal districts: Pingshan District, Xihu District, Mingshan District, Nanfen District
• Autonomous counties: Benxi Manchu Autonomous County, Huanren Manchu Autonomous County
• Additionally, Benxi City has established the national-level Benxi High-Tech Industrial Development Zone.

5. Economy

Benxi City is one of China's heavy industrial bases. In 2007, Benxi's GDP reached 48.49 billion yuan. The added values of the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were 2.93 billion yuan, 29.95 billion yuan, and 15.61 billion yuan, respectively. The per capita GDP of Benxi City was 31,066 yuan. By the end of 2010, Benxi had achieved a total GDP of 85 billion yuan for the year, with a per capita GDP of 55,000 yuan, representing a growth of 16.3%. The general budget revenue of local finance amounted to 7.5 billion yuan, an increase of 27.4%. Gaoguan Town in Benxi County, with a population of 8,000, independently generated a GDP of 4.18 billion yuan from January to October 2010. In 2017, the city's regional gross domestic product reached 81.01 billion yuan.

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6. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 1,326,018. Compared with the 1,709,538 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a decrease of 383,520 people over the past ten years, a decline of 22.43%, with an average annual growth rate of -2.51%. Among them, the male population was 656,531, accounting for 49.51% of the total population; the female population was 669,487, accounting for 50.49% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 98.06. The population aged 0–14 was 119,200, accounting for 8.99% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 822,107, accounting for 62% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 384,711, accounting for 29.01% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 253,394, accounting for 19.11% of the total population. The urban population was 1,053,426, accounting for 79.44% of the total population; the rural population was 272,592, accounting for 20.56% of the total population.

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7. Scenic Spots

Ming Liaodong Border Wall The Liaodong Border Wall built during the Ming Dynasty extends into Benxi, with a length of 70 kilometers within Benxi's territory.

Benxi Water Cave Benxi Water Cave is promoted as the longest underground water-filled cave in Asia. In 1994, it was approved by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as a National Key Scenic Area. In July 2015, it was rated as a 5A-level tourist attraction by the China National Tourism Administration.

Benxi Lake Benxi Lake successfully applied for the Guinness World Record for the "World's Smallest Lake" and became record number 2346 in the Shanghai Great World Guinness Records. Benxi Lake is a naturally formed lake, renowned for its small size, with a surface area of only 15 square meters. It is a lake within a cave, wide at the entrance and narrow inside, resembling a wine cup made from a rhinoceros horn, hence its original name "Beixi Lake" (Rhinoceros Horn Cup Lake). According to historical records, in the 12th year of the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1734 AD), because the name "Beixi Lake" was considered too elegant and difficult to write and recognize, it was changed to the homophonic "Benxi Lake." Between 250,000 and 150,000 years ago, the Liaodong Peninsula was a vast ocean. Due to movements in the Earth's magma and crust, the Liaodong Peninsula transformed from an "ocean" into a continent. The flow of groundwater and surface water through the rocks washed away calcium bicarbonate particles, gradually forming many caves in the hard limestone. Benxi Lake was formed in this way.

Jiuding Tiecha Mountain Jiuding Tiecha Mountain is one of the famous mountains in Liaodong and the birthplace of Taoism in Northeast China. It is located in Nandian Town, Benxi Manchu Autonomous County. Its highest peak reaches an altitude of 912.9 meters. The mountain is known for its steep terrain, overlapping peaks, majestic presence, and beautiful scenery.

Wunü Mountain Wunü Mountain is located on the north side of Huanren Manchu Autonomous County. "Legend has it that five women stationed troops there, hence the name." Another legend tells of five fairy maidens descending to earth to rid the people of harm. A temple, the Wunü Temple, was built on the mountain in their memory. The temple site still exists today and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Guanmen Mountain Guanmen Mountain is located within Benxi Manchu Autonomous County, 48 kilometers from the city center. It is named "Guanmen" (Closed Door) Mountain because two peaks stand facing each other, one broad and one narrow, one large and one small, resembling a door.

Hot Spring Temple Hot Spring Temple is a famous recuperation resort, located 5 kilometers south of Benxi Water Cave and east of the Taizi River. The spring water at Hot Spring Temple maintains a constant temperature of 44°C, with a maximum daily output of 470 tons. It is a sulfate-sodium-potassium type hot spring containing calcium ions, weakly alkaline, weakly radioactive, and low in mineralization. It is effective in treating various types of arthritis, rheumatism, limb numbness, neuritis, and skin diseases.

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Xihu District

Mingshan District

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Celestial Maiden Magnolia