Huanggang (黄冈)

1. Introduction

Huanggang City, abbreviated as Huang, historically known as Huangzhou, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Hubei Province, People's Republic of China, located in the eastern part of Hubei Province. The city borders Xiaogan City and Wuhan City to the northwest, faces Ezhou City, Huangshi City, and Jiujiang City of Jiangxi Province across the Yangtze River to the south, connects with Anqing City of Anhui Province to the east, and borders Lu'an City of Anhui Province and Xinyang City of Henan Province to the north. Situated at the junction of Hubei, Henan, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces, it lies on the southern foothills of the Dabie Mountains and the northern bank of the Yangtze River, with terrain sloping from high in the north to low in the south. Rivers such as the Jushui, Xishui, and Qishui flow through the area, all running from north to south into the Yangtze River. The city covers a total area of 17,457 square kilometers, with a registered population of 7.4064 million in 2018 and a permanent resident population of 5.8827 million in 2020. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 8 Qiyi Road, Huangzhou District.

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2. History

2.1 History of Migration

During the Song Dynasty, migrants to the Huangxiao region came not only from the north but also from the south. In the 11th year of the Chunxi reign period, displaced people from Jiangdong continuously went to Huangzhou to "request to cultivate idle land" (Chengzhai Ji, Vol. 125, "Epitaph for Wu Yu"). According to the Clan Records in the Xuantong-era Huang'an Local Gazetteer, among the local clans during the Qing Dynasty, six lineages had migrated during the Southern Song Dynasty from areas within present-day Jiangxi, such as Nanchang, Jiujiang, and Ji'an. Among the 26 clans listed by Zhang Guoxiong that migrated during the Song Dynasty, Qichun had 6 clans, Huanggang 3, Guangji 3, Macheng 2, and Hong'an and Huangmei each had 1, accounting for 62% of the statistically recorded Song Dynasty clans. Clearly, among the population of northeastern Hubei during the Song Dynasty, Jiangxi migrants constituted a significant proportion. This should mark the beginning of the systematic influence of Jiangxi migrants on the eastern Hubei region.

During the Song-Jin wars, eastern and northern Hubei were located south of the Song-Jin demarcation line and suffered enormous casualties. The Song-Yuan wars and the late Yuan peasant uprisings also caused great devastation in eastern and northern Hubei. Against this backdrop, the large-scale migration during the late Yuan and early Ming Hongwu periods was a population-reorganizing migration for the Huangxiao region, fundamentally altering its demographic and linguistic composition. Among the clans that migrated to Huangzhou Prefecture (administered from present-day Huanggang City) during the Yuan Dynasty and the Hongwu period, Jiangxi migrants were the most significant group. Among them, migrants from Raozhou, Nanchang, and Jiujiang were comparable in number. Prior to the early Ming Hongwu migration, there had been sporadic migrations throughout previous dynasties; these migrants, relative to the new arrivals of the early Ming, had already become the new indigenous population. Excluding the indigenous people who migrated within the region during the late Yuan and Hongwu periods, immigrants from outside during the late Yuan and Hongwu periods accounted for approximately 62% of the total population, making it a "population-reconstruction type migration area." Jiangxi migrants were the most important part of these immigrant sources, with those from northern Jiangxi regions like Raozhou and Nanchang being the most numerous. For a more detailed explanation, refer to the Hongwu Great Migration and the Jianghuai Mandarin Huangxiao dialect group.

2.2 Evolution of Administrative Divisions

Huanggang has a long history, with human habitation in the region dating back to the Paleolithic Age.

During the Xia and Shang dynasties, Yu "enfeoffed the descendants of Gaoyao at Ying and Liu" (Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Xia), and this region became the fief of Gaoyao's descendants (Ying and Liu refer to the areas around present-day Yingshan and Lu'an). During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the area belonged to the State of Chu. After Qin unified the six states and implemented the commandery-county system, the area was first divided between Nan Commandery and Jiujiang Commandery, later belonging to Hengshan Commandery. During the Chu-Han contention, Xiang Yu of Chu established the Kingdom of Hengshan based on Hengshan Commandery, with its capital at Zhucheng (present-day Yuwangcheng in Huangzhou).

In the 4th year of Emperor Gaozu of Han (203 BC), it was restored as Hengshan Commandery, under the Kingdom of Huainan. In the 2nd year of the Yuanshou reign period of Emperor Wu of Han (121 BC), Jiangxia Commandery was established. Areas in this region such as Huangzhou and Qichun belonged to Jiangxia Commandery, while Huangmei and Wuxue belonged to Lujiang Commandery. In the 23rd year of the Jianwu reign period of the Eastern Han Dynasty (47 AD), the Marquisate of Qichun was established, lasting for three generations before reverting to Qichun County. In the 13th year of the Jian'an reign period (208 AD), Qichun Commandery was established, headquartered in Qichun, governing present-day Qichun, Huangmei, Huangzhou, and other areas.

During the Three Kingdoms period, the region was divided between Wei's Yiyang Commandery and Wu's Qichun Commandery. In the 4th year of the Xianhe reign period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (329 AD), Xiyang Commandery was established within the territory. From the Sui and Tang dynasties through the Five Dynasties period until the early Ming Dynasty, Huanggang was largely governed by the two parallel commanderies (prefectures/circuits) of Huangzhou and Qizhou.

Before the late Tang Dynasty, the administrative seats of various successive prefectures, commanderies, and counties such as Yuzhou, Huangzhou, Hengzhou, Huangzhou Prefecture, Yong'an Commandery, Nan'an County, and Huanggang County were all located in the old "Huangzhou" city (i.e., present-day Zhucheng in Xinzhou District, Wuhan City), with most of the area of present-day Huanggang City falling under its jurisdiction. In the late Tang Dynasty, the administrative seats of Huangzhou and Huanggang County moved east to Nüwangcheng. In the early Song Dynasty, the seat moved again to the north of present-day Huanggang City, and the original "Huangzhou" city (old Huangzhou city) thus became the "Old Prefecture" (later colloquially renamed Xinzhou).

After the Ming Dynasty, Qizhou was placed under the jurisdiction of Huangzhou Prefecture. Huangzhou Prefecture governed eight counties—Huanggang (mainly comprising present-day Huanggang and Xinzhou District of Wuhan City), Macheng, Huangpi, Huang'an, Qishui, Luotian, Guangji, Huangmei—and Qizhou, with its prefectural seat in Huanggang County. The Qing Dynasty largely followed the Ming system. In the 7th year of the Yongzheng reign period (1729), Huangpi County was transferred to Hanyang Prefecture.

In the first year of the Republic of China (1912), Huangzhou Prefecture was abolished, and Qizhou was changed to Qichun County. In the 21st year of the Republic of China (1932), Yingshan County was transferred from Anhui Province to Hubei Province. In the 22nd year of the Republic of China (1933), Qishui County was renamed Xishui County.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, in 1951, Xinzhou County was established from part of Huanggang County. In August 1952, Bingbao County was established, renamed Shengli County in September, and Huang'an County was restored to its former name, Hong'an County. In August 1955, Shengli County was abolished. In October, the seat of Huanggang County was moved from Tuanfeng to Huangzhou. In 1959, Daye was transferred to Huangshi City. In 1965, Echeng and Yangxin counties were transferred to Xianning Prefecture. In 1968, the Huanggang Prefecture Revolutionary Committee was established, abolished in 1978, and replaced by the Huanggang Prefecture Administrative Office. In 1979, Echeng County was transferred to Huanggang Prefecture, and Echeng City was established. In October 1983, Echeng County, Echeng City, and Huangzhou Town of Huanggang County were combined to establish the prefecture-level Ezhou City. Simultaneously, Xinzhou County was transferred to Wuhan City. In 1986, Macheng County was abolished, and Macheng City was established. In 1987, the Huangzhou District of Ezhou City was abolished, restored as Huangzhou Town, and returned to Huanggang County; Guangji County was abolished, and Wuxue City was established. In 1990, Huanggang County was abolished, and the county-level Huangzhou City was established. On December 23, 1995, with State Council approval, Huanggang Prefecture and Huangzhou City were abolished, and the prefecture-level Huanggang City was established. The northern part of the former Huangzhou City was used to establish Tuanfeng County, and the southern part to establish Huangzhou District, with the Huanggang Municipal Government located in Huangzhou District. Since then, Huanggang City has administered Huangzhou District, Tuanfeng County, Hong'an County, Luotian County, Yingshan County, Xishui County, Qichun County, Huangmei County, Macheng City, and Wuxue City.

3. Geography

Huanggang City is located in the eastern part of Hubei Province, on the southern foothills of the Dabie Mountains and the northern bank of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. It borders Henan to the north, Anhui to the east, and faces Ezhou, Huangshi, and Jiujiang across the river to the south. Its geographical coordinates are between 114°24′–116°07′ east longitude and 29°45′–31°40′ north latitude. The city's Party, government, and military organs are stationed in Huangzhou District, which is 78 kilometers east of the provincial capital, Wuhan. The city's total land area is 17,446 square kilometers, accounting for 9.4% of Hubei Province's total area. Of the city's total area, plains constitute 12.2%, uplands 10.3%, hills 43.3%, and mountains 34.2%. The maximum east-west distance is 168 kilometers, and the widest north-south span is 208 kilometers.

The terrain of Huanggang slopes gradually from north to south. The northeastern part, bordering Henan and Anhui, is occupied by the Dabie Mountain range. Its main ridge runs northwest to southeast, featuring 96 peaks with elevations above 1,000 meters. The main peak of Tiantangzhai, located in Luotian and Yingshan counties, stands at 1,729 meters, the highest point in the city. The central part is a hilly region, mostly below 300 meters in elevation, characterized by undulating terrain, wide valleys, and hills, with an interwoven landscape of chong (floodplains), long (ridges), bang (gentle slopes), and fan (flatlands). The southern part is a long, narrow plain and lake district, with elevations between 10 and 30 meters, featuring a network of rivers, streams, and lakes, including 38 lakes each covering more than 30 hectares. Six major water systems originating in the Dabie Mountains—the Daoshui, Jushui, Bashui, Xishui, Qishui, and Huayang Rivers—all flow southward through the city into the Yangtze River. The Yangtze River flows for 215.5 kilometers through the city, earning Huanggang the title "Golden Waterway."

Huanggang has a humid subtropical monsoon climate with abundant rainfall, ample sunshine, warm and humid conditions, and four distinct seasons. The extensive water network, primarily formed by the Yangtze River, ensures good forest vegetation and ecological environment. It possesses a fairly solid foundation for agricultural production.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-------------------|-----------|-----------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|-----------|-----------|------------|------------| | Record high °C | 20.7 | 28.7 | 30.0 | 33.9 | 36.1 | 37.8 | 39.7 | 40.0 | 39.3 | 34.9 | 29.7 | 22.2 | 40.0 | | Record high °F | 69.3 | 83.7 | 86.0 | 93.0 | 97.0 | 100.0 | 103.5 | 104.0 | 102.7 | 94.8 | 85.5 | 72.0 | 104.0 | | Average high °C | 8.0 | 10.6 | 15.0 | 21.7 | 27.0 | 29.9 | 33.1 | 32.8 | 28.7 | 23.1 | 16.8 | 10.9 | 21.5 | | Average high °F | 46.4 | 51.1 | 59.0 | 71.1 | 80.6 | 85.8 | 91.6 | 91.0 | 83.7 | 73.6 | 62.2 | 51.6 | 70.6 | | Daily mean °C | 4.4 | 6.9 | 11.6 | 17.3 | 22.6 | 26.0 | 29.2 | 28.6 | 24.4 | 18.7 | 12.4 | 6.7 | 17.3 | | Daily mean °F | 39.9 | 44.4 | 52.9 | 63.1 | 72.7 | 78.8 | 84.6 | 83.5 | 75.9 | 65.7 | 54.3 | 44.1 | 63.2 | | Average low °C | 1.8 | 4.1 | 7.8 | 13.8 | 18.9 | 22.8 | 25.9 | 25.3 | 21.1 | 15.3 | 9.1 | 3.6 | 14.1 | | Average low °F | 35.2 | 39.4 | 46.0 | 56.8 | 66.0 | 73.0 | 78.6 | 77.5 | 70.0 | 59.5 | 48.4 | 38.5 | 57.4 | | Record low °C | -6.0 | -7.4 | -1.9 | 3.1 | 10.0 | 13.3 | 19.0 | 17.0 | 11.7 | 4.4 | -2.8 | -8.0 | -8.0 | | Record low °F | 21.2 | 18.7 | 28.6 | 37.6 | 50.0 | 55.9 | 66.2 | 62.6 | 53.1 | 39.9 | 27.0 | 17.6 | 17.6 | | Avg. precip. mm | 53.6 | 72.5 | 106.4 | 145.7 | 166.1 | 222.2 | 216.6 | 143.7 | 68.2 | 83.2 | 60.6 | 34.9 | 1,373.7 | | Avg. precip. in | 2.11 | 2.85 | 4.19 | 5.74 | 6.54 | 8.75 | 8.53 | 5.66 | 2.69 | 3.28 | 2.39 | 1.37 | 54.10 | | Avg. humidity % | 79 | 78 | 79 | 78 | 77 | 80 | 79 | 78 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 74 | 78 |

3.1 Natural Resources

3.1.1 Land Resources

In 2013, the total cultivated land area in Huanggang City was 343,300 hectares.

3.1.2 Water Resources

In 2013, the city's total water resources amounted to 9.053 billion cubic meters, with a theoretical hydropower potential of 464,000 kilowatts. The exploitable hydropower potential was 348,000 kilowatts, capable of generating 960 million kilowatt-hours annually. The annual inflow of water into the city was 756.5 billion cubic meters, and the outflow was 773.3 billion cubic meters. There were 1,230 reservoirs of various sizes, with a total storage capacity of 5.063 billion cubic meters; 280,000 ponds and weirs, storing 2.239 billion cubic meters of water. The effective irrigated area from water conservancy projects was 318,600 hectares.

3.1.3 Mineral Resources

Huanggang has 73 proven mineral types with 819 ore deposit sites. Among these, 49 are non-metallic minerals, mainly including limestone, dolomite, and granite. Phosphate rock reserves are 16.985 million tons, primarily distributed in Huangmei and Wuxue. Fluorite reserves in Hong'an exceed 1.31 million tons. The vein quartz deposits in Qichun contain 90%-99.9% silicon dioxide, with reserves over 800,000 tons. Granite, gneiss, and marble are widespread in Huangmei, Qichun, Xishui, Tuanfeng, Macheng, Luotian, and Yingshan, covering an area of approximately 1,000 square kilometers. The five rivers—Bashui, Xishui, Qishui, Daoshui, and Jushui—hold about 1 billion tons of sand reserves, making it the largest sand base in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Metal mineral occurrences include iron, manganese, chromium, copper, lead, zinc, vanadium, titanium, cadmium, molybdenum, gold, silver, and rare metals like niobium, tantalum, and zirconium. Among these, iron, rutile, lead, and zinc reserves are relatively abundant. There are six gold occurrences within the city, distributed in Qichun, Luotian, Xishui, Tuanfeng, Wuxue, and Huangmei. The sand in the Ba, Xi, and Qi rivers contains associated iron sand. Huanggang is rich in geothermal resources, with 12 sites discovered. Development and utilization have taken place at locations such as Tanghe in Yingshan and Sanlifan in Luotian.#### 3.1.4 Biological Resources In 2013, there were 472 species of terrestrial wild vertebrates within the region. Among these, 12 species are under first-class national protection (such as the Siberian musk deer, leopard, and hooded crane); 92 species are under second-class national protection (such as the tiger frog, pangolin, dhole, and otter); and 112 species are under provincial key protection. The city has 4 vegetation type groups, 10 vegetation types, and 29 formations. It is home to 1,440 species of higher vascular plants, belonging to 195 families and 747 genera. Among these, 2 species are under first-class national protection (such as the ginkgo and southern yew); 22 species are under second-class national protection (such as the Dabieshan five-needle pine, golden dog fern, golden larch, and magnolia officinalis); and 35 species are nationally rare and endangered protected plants (including the Dabieshan five-needle pine, an endemic endangered species in the Dabieshan region, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining).

4. Administrative Divisions

Huanggang City currently administers 1 district, 7 counties, and governs 2 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• District: Huangzhou District
• County-level Cities: Macheng City, Wuxue City
• Counties: Tuanfeng County, Hong'an County, Luotian County, Yingshan County, Xishui County, Qichun County, Huangmei County In addition to the formal administrative divisions, Huanggang City has also established the national-level Huanggang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone and the Longganhu Management Area.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|---------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 421100 | Huanggang City | Huánggāng Shì | 17,457.20 | 5,882,719 | Huangzhou District | 438000 | 11 | 99 | 16 | | 421102 | Huangzhou District | Huángzhōu Qū | 362.37 | 456,862 | Chibi Subdistrict | 438000 | 4 | 3 | 1 | | 421121 | Tuanfeng County | Tuánfēng Xiàn | 831.65 | 266,218 | Tuanfeng Town | 438800 | | 8 | 2 | | 421122 | Hong'an County | Hóng'ān Xiàn | 1,791.41 | 510,189 | Chengguan Town | 438400 | | 10 | 1 | | 421123 | Luotian County | Luótián Xiàn | 2,129.93 | 473,195 | Fengshan Town | 438600 | | 10 | 2 | | 421124 | Yingshan County | Yīngshān Xiàn | 1,438.81 | 310,180 | Wenquan Town | 438700 | | 8 | 3 | | 421125 | Xishui County | Xīshuǐ Xiàn | 1,951.12 | 716,273 | Qingquan Town | 438200 | | 12 | 1 | | 421126 | Qichun County | Qíchūn Xiàn | 2,398.36 | 792,101 | Caohe Town | 435300 | | 13 | 1 | | 421127 | Huangmei County | Huángméi Xiàn | 1,707.84 | 787,783 | Huangmei Town | 435500 | | 12 | 4 | | 421181 | Macheng City | Máchéng Shì | 3,604.02 | 893,654 | Longchiqiao Subdistrict | 438300 | 3 | 15 | 1 | | 421182 | Wuxue City | Wǔxué Shì | 1,241.70 | 676,264 | Wuxue Subdistrict | 435400 | 4 | 8 | |

5. Economy

Since the reform and opening-up, especially after the administrative upgrade from a prefecture to a city in 1996, the people of Huanggang have seized opportunities, forged ahead with determination, and achieved substantial development in the city's economy and society.

Agriculture has established itself as a nationally important base for high-quality grain and oil crops. The production of agricultural products such as silkworm cocoons, chestnuts, poria cocos, peanuts, rapeseed, and freshwater pearls ranks first in Hubei Province. The city has 58 certified and recognized geographical indication protected products, the highest number among all prefecture-level cities in the province. Examples include Luotian Chestnuts, Yingshan Yunwu Tea, Wuxue Crispy Candy, Bahe Lotus Root, Hong'an Sweet Potato, Huangzhou Radish, Guangji Fingered Citron Yam, and Huangmei Freshwater Shrimp.

Industry has initially formed five pillar sectors: food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, textiles and apparel, construction materials, and machinery and electronics. These sectors have attracted numerous well-known enterprises to establish operations in Huanggang, such as Beijing Huiyuan, Inner Mongolia Yili, Zhejiang Aokang, and Hong Kong Winner Medical. Urban functions in the city's central areas have continuously improved, rural and urban infrastructure has been gradually enhanced, and spiritual civilization and various social undertakings have developed in a coordinated manner.

6. Transportation

Huanggang enjoys a uniquely advantageous geographical location and transportation network. Situated at the juncture of the ancient Chu and Wu regions and bordering the four provinces of Hubei, Henan, Anhui, and Jiangxi, Huanggang is closely connected by mountains and waters to the provincial capital, Wuhan, and serves as a vital component of the Wuhan Metropolitan Circle. Within its territory flows the golden waterway of the Yangtze River. It is in close proximity to two airports (Wuhan Tianhe Airport and Jiujiang Airport), is traversed by six railway lines, boasts six Yangtze River bridges, and is crisscrossed by eight expressways. This grants Huanggang a locational advantage of "connecting east and west, linking north and south, enjoying a central position, and providing access to rivers and the sea."

6.1 Railways

• Beijing-Kowloon Railway
• Hefei-Jiujiang Railway
• Shanghai-Wuhan-Chengdu Rapid Railway
• Wuhan-Macheng Railway
• Xingang-Jiangbei Railway
• Wuhan-Huanggang Intercity Railway
• Huanggang-Huangmei High-Speed Railway

6.2 Expressways

• G4213 Ma'anshan-Ankang Expressway
• G4221 Shanghai-Wuhan Expressway
• G45 Daqing-Guangzhou Expressway
• G50 Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway
• G70 Fuzhou-Yinchuan Expressway
• S3 Wuhan-Macheng Expressway
• S29 Macheng-Yangxin Expressway
• S38 Huanggang-Ezhou Expressway

6.3 National Highways

• National Highway 105
• National Highway 106
• National Highway 220
• National Highway 230
• National Highway 318
• National Highway 346
• National Highway 347

6.4 Bridges

• Ezhou-Huanggang Yangtze River Bridge
• Huangshi Yangtze River Bridge
• Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge
• Eastern Hubei Yangtze River Bridge
• Huanggang Yangtze River Bridge
• Jiujiang Yangtze River Second Bridge

7. Education

In the fourth year of the Qingli era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1044 AD), Qizhou and Huangzhou began to appoint educational officials to establish schools and instruct students. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, prefectures, subprefectures, and counties all established Confucian temples and schools, and more than 50 academies were built. Li Zhi lectured and wrote books in Huang'an and Macheng for 18 years. During the 276 years of the Ming Dynasty, Huangzhou Prefecture produced 328 jinshi (advanced scholars) and 1,465 juren (provincial graduates). During the Qing Dynasty, Huangzhou's prefect Yu Chenglong achieved outstanding administrative accomplishments, lived a simple and austere official life, and was highly esteemed by the common people, earning him imperial praise as the "Number One Upright Official." Liu Zizhuang and Chen Hang achieved the top score in the palace examination (zhuangyuan), Shuai Chengying and Chen Luan achieved the third-highest score (tanhua), and Jin Dejia achieved the top score in the metropolitan examination (huiyuan). In just the 65 years spanning the Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Xianfeng reigns of the Qing Dynasty, Huangzhou Prefecture produced 86 jinshi and 466 juren. After the imperial examination system was abolished, modern education emerged in Huanggang. Huangzhou Prefecture established one secondary school, 593 higher primary, two-level primary, and elementary primary schools, two normal training institutes (simplified elementary teacher training programs), and eight industrial schools. During the Republic of China period, despite frequent warfare and difficult living conditions, educational endeavors still experienced slow development.

After the founding of the People's Republic, education in the Huanggang region developed rapidly, forming a relatively complete educational system that connects from early childhood education to higher education and operates in parallel with general education and vocational-technical education. Currently, there are 5,978 schools of various types and levels, including 22 colleges and secondary specialized schools, 366 regular secondary schools, and 3,800 primary schools. A number of key schools have distinctive features. Huanggang High School is a key secondary school in Hubei Province, having cultivated an excellent school ethos of "rigorousness, pragmatism, unity, and striving for progress," and has achieved remarkable results. In the International Mathematical, Physics, and Chemistry Olympiads, its students have won a total of 11 medals: 6 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze.

7.1 Higher Education

• Huanggang Normal University
• Huanggang Polytechnic College
• Huanggang Vocational College of Science and Technology

7.2 Secondary Education

• Huanggang High School
• Huangzhou High School
• Huanggang Foreign Languages School
• Huangzhou Xihu Middle School
• Huangzhou District No. 1 Middle School
• Huangzhou District Baota Middle School
• Huangzhou District Experimental Middle School
• Huanggang Linghu High School
• Huangzhou Chibi Middle School
• Eastern Hubei Women's School

8. Population

At the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 5.7902 million, of which 2.8621 million were urban residents and 2.9281 million were rural residents.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 5,882,719. Compared with the 6,162,069 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a total decrease of 279,350 people over the ten years, a decline of 4.53%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.46%. Among them, the male population was 3,034,519, accounting for 51.58% of the total population; the female population was 2,848,200, accounting for 48.42% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 106.54. The population aged 0–14 was 1,132,321, accounting for 19.25% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 3,493,835, accounting for 59.39% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 1,256,563, accounting for 21.36% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 918,512, accounting for 15.61% of the total population. The urban resident population was 2,797,377, accounting for 47.55% of the total population; the rural resident population was 3,085,342, accounting for 52.45% of the total population.

8.1. Ethnic Groups

The residents within the area are predominantly Han Chinese, with scattered settlements of 45 ethnic minorities including Tujia, Zhuang, Hui, Miao, Kazakh, Li, Tu, Mongolian, Manchu, Bai, Wa, Yao, Tibetan, Uyghur, Bouyei, Yi, and Gaoshan. Seven ethnic minorities have populations exceeding 200: Tujia, Zhuang, Hui, Miao, Kazakh, Li, and Tu.

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han Chinese population was 5,869,280, accounting for 99.77%; the total population of all ethnic minorities was 13,439, accounting for 0.23%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han Chinese population decreased by 288,877, a decline of 4.69%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.16 percentage points; the total population of all ethnic minorities increased by 9,527, a growth of 243.53%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.16 percentage points.

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9. Humanities

Due to its unique geographical environment and historical circumstances, many distinguished figures in Chinese history have left their footprints in Huanggang, and numerous significant events have taken place here.

During the Tang Dynasty, the Fourth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Daoxin, and the Fifth Patriarch, Hongren, both resided in Huangmei, which was instrumental in the Sinicization of Buddhism. The Sixth Patriarch, Huineng, received his Dharma transmission at the Fifth Patriarch Temple on Dongshan Mountain in Huangmei.

The brothers Cheng Yi and Cheng Hao, founders of Neo-Confucianism and the Luoxue School, were born in Huang'an (present-day Hong'an). Su Shi (Su Dongpo) reached the pinnacle of his literary career in Huangzhou. Here, at the Huanggang Chibi, he penned the two timeless prose-poems "First and Second Odes to the Red Cliff" and the ci poem "Memories of the Past at the Red Cliff" (to the tune of Niannujiao), establishing Huanggang Chibi as a cultural landmark of unique significance in Chinese cultural history.

In the Ming Dynasty, Li Zhi (Li Zhuowu) developed his distinctive philosophical thought in Macheng, holding an important place in the history of Chinese cultural thought. Li Shizhen from Qizhou spent 27 years compiling the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu).

During the Qing Dynasty, Huangzhou's prefect Yu Chenglong achieved outstanding administrative accomplishments. Known for his integrity and frugality, he was beloved by the common people and praised by Emperor Kangxi as "the foremost honest official in the land."

The 20th century saw a flourishing of humanities in Huanggang, gaining nationwide fame. Prominent figures include: pillars of Chinese culture such as Xiong Shili, Huang Kan, Tang Yongtong, Xu Fuguan, and Tang Yijie; renowned scholars and writers like Tao Xisheng, Wen Yiduo, Hu Feng, Ye Junjian, and Qin Zhaoyang; eminent scientists such as Li Siguang, Peng Huanwu, and Tang Peisong; distinguished economists including Wang Ya'nan, Zhang Peigang, and Xing Muhuan; logician and pioneering figure of Taiwanese liberalism Yin Haiguang; and Chinese cultural scholar, advocate of the Chinese Character Gene Project, and computer and artificial intelligence expert Zhu Bangfu.

The people of Huanggang have a long tradition of revolution. In the late Qin Dynasty, Xiang Yu and Ying Bu led arduous peasant struggles against the Qin here. In the late Yuan Dynasty, Xu Shouhui and others, commanding a force of a million, established the Tianwan Kingdom. In the late Ming Dynasty, Zhang Xianzhong and Li Rucai led peasant rebel armies into the region, fighting for nine years. In the early Qing Dynasty, Wang Huoding from Luotian and Zhou Chengmo from Macheng gathered forces to resist the Qing, establishing the "Forty-Eight Stockades of Qihuang" and persisting in their struggle for eight years.

Upon the outbreak of the 1911 Revolution, the people of Huanggang responded actively. Over 200 individuals from Huanggang directly participated in the Wuchang Uprising, with Wang Han, Zhang Zhenwu, Zhan Dabei, Tian Tong, and Ju Zheng making outstanding contributions to the revolution.

Huanggang was a crucial base for the establishment and early development of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Among the 13 delegates to the First National Congress of the CCP, three—Dong Biwu, Bao Huiseng, and Chen Tanqiu—were from Huanggang. During the First Chinese Civil War (1927-1937), local CCP organizations in the region developed rapidly, peasant movements rose, the Huangma Uprising erupted, and a red regime was established, making it a significant part of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Revolutionary Base. The Red First Army, Red Fifteenth Army, Red Fourth Army, Red Fourth Front Army, Red Twenty-Fifth Army, Red Twenty-Seventh Army, and Red Twenty-Eighth Army were successively formed, rebuilt, or reorganized here. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Fifth and Eighth Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Detachments were organized here. In the Second Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), the region witnessed the operations of Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping's forces in the Dabie Mountains and the Crossing-the-Yangtze Campaign by the Second and Fourth Field Armies.

During China's transformation from war to stability in the 20th century, the people of Huanggang made tremendous sacrifices for the nation, with over 400,000 martyrs giving their lives. A group of military leaders who made significant contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation emerged from here. On the CCP side, among the generals and marshals awarded titles by the state between 1955 and 1965, 103 were natives of Huanggang (excluding 15 whose native places were reclassified due to administrative changes). This included 1 Marshal, 1 Senior General, 8 Generals, 17 Lieutenant Generals, and 76 Major Generals. Counties and cities like Hong'an and Macheng are nationally renowned as "General Counties." Among the 33 military strategists identified by the Central Military Commission of the CCP in 1989, three—Lin Biao, Li Xiannian, and Wang Shusheng—were from Huanggang. Huanggang also produced two Presidents of the People's Republic of China: Dong Biwu and Li Xiannian. On the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party) side, there were senior officials and generals such as Xia Douyin, Tao Xisheng, Wan Yaohuang, Zhu Dingqing, Zhu Huaibing, and Xu Yuanquan, with over 200 holding the rank of Major General or above.

9.1 Historical Sites

• Dongpo Chibi (Literary Red Cliff)
• Huanggang Pagoda (Huangzhou Qingyun Pagoda, also known as South Pagoda, Wenfeng Pagoda, commonly called the Treasure Pagoda)

9.2 Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level

• Tomb of Li Shizhen
• Revolutionary Site of Qiliping in Hong'an
• Pagoda of the Fourth Patriarch Temple
• Baizi Pagoda
• Fifth Patriarch Temple
• Dou Mountain Wu Clan Ancestral Hall
• Dongpo Chibi
• Former Residence of Li Xiannian
• Former Residence of Dong Biwu
• Maojiazui Site
• Shuangcheng Pagoda
• Zhenggong Pagoda
• Wanniantai Stage

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Huangzhou District

Macheng City

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Zelkova, Ginkgo

Plum blossom, azalea