Huangshi (黄石)

1. Introduction

Huangshi City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. It is located in the southeastern part of Hubei Province, on the southern bank of the Yangtze River. The city borders Xianning City to the southwest, Wuhan City and Ezhou City to the northwest, faces Huanggang City across the Yangtze River to the northeast, and adjoins Jiujiang City of Jiangxi Province to the southeast. Situated at the northern edge of the Mufu Mountains, the terrain is higher in the south and lower in the north, divided into hilly areas and plain lake regions. The Yangtze River flows along the northeastern border, and the Fushui River in the south flows from west to east into the Yangtze. The area features lakes such as Daye Lake, Bao'an Lake, Ci Lake, and Wang Lake. The city covers a total area of 4,565 square kilometers with a population of 2.469 million. The municipal people's government is located in Xialu District. Huangshi is a sub-central city of the Wuhan Metropolitan Area, a national comprehensive reform pilot zone for a resource-saving and environment-friendly society, an important raw material industrial base in Central China, and a riverine open city approved by the State Council.

nix

2. Historical Evolution

On May 1, 1949, the People's Liberation Army occupied Shihuang Town. The Wuhan Military Control Commission of the People's Liberation Army established the Special Commissioner Office of the Shihuang Industrial Special Zone: Jin Shiqu, Deputy Director of the Industrial Department of the Material Takeover Department of the Wuhan Military Control Commission, concurrently served as the Special Commissioner. The office was responsible for taking over industrial and mining enterprises in areas such as Huangshigang, Shihuang, and Tieshan, and for leading the industrial administration and local administration of the zone. On June 12, 1949, Special Commissioner Jin Shiqu presided over the founding meeting of the "Special Commissioner Office of the Shihuang Industrial Special Zone of the Wuhan Military Control Commission," officially announcing its establishment and commencement of operations, with public notices posted. Soon after, with the approval of the Central Plains Provisional People's Government, the "Hubei Daye Special Zone Office" was established, directly under the leadership of the Central Plains Provisional People's Government.

On September 29, 1949, the Central Plains Provisional People's Government approved the abolition of the "Hubei Daye Special Zone Office." In October 1949, with the approval of Document No. 715 E-Min of the Hubei Provincial People's Government, the "Shihuang Industrial and Mining Special Zone" was established. In practice, the zone's own notices, documents, and official seals all used the name "People's Government of the Daye Industrial and Mining Special Zone, Hubei Province." It was under the jurisdiction of the Daye Administrative Commissioner's Office. At that time, two town offices were established in the urban area: Huangshigang and Shihuang, while four township people's governments were established in rural areas: Shenwu, Changle, Xiazhang, and Tielu.

On August 21, 1950, in accordance with a telegram from the Government Administration Council of the Central People's Government and approved by Telegram No. 83 Zhengxing Dong of the Government Administration Council of the Central People's Government, the Shihuang and Huangshigang industrial and mining areas were merged into a provincial-administered city, named Huangshi City, and the Huangshi Municipal People's Government was established, directly under the jurisdiction of Hubei Province. On January 26, 1959, Daye County, which was part of the Huanggang Prefecture, was transferred to Huangshi City. On April 7, 1979, with the approval of the Provincial Revolutionary Committee, Huangshigang District and Shengyanggang District were merged and named Huangshigang District; Chenjiawan District, Shihuang District, and Huangsiwan District were merged and named Shihuang District; the name of Tieshan District remained unchanged, and several nearby mining areas were incorporated; the old and new Xialu areas, along with several nearby mining areas, were combined to form Xialu District; the name and establishment of the suburban district remained unchanged. The municipal districts were county-level administrative units. In 1995, Hekou Town of Daye City was placed under the jurisdiction of Shihuang District of Huangshi City.

On December 2, 1996, Yangxin County of Xianning Prefecture was transferred to Huangshi City.

On December 16, 2001, Shihuang District was renamed Xisaishan District.

3. Geography

Huangshi City is located in southeastern Hubei, on the southern bank of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. To the northeast, it borders the Yangtze River, facing Xishui County, Qichun County, and Wuxue City across the river. To the north, it adjoins Echeng District of Ezhou City. To the west, it is adjacent to Jiangxia District of Wuhan City and Liangzihu District of Ezhou City. To the southwest, it neighbors Xian'an District and Tongshan County of Xianning City. To the southeast, it borders Wuning County and Ruichang City.

The urban area is shaped like the Chinese character "入" (rù), surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the river on one side. The picturesque Cihu Lake is embedded in the city center, serving as a renowned scenic tourist destination. Tourist attractions include Xisai Mountain, Dongfang Mountain, and Feiyun Cave. Cihu Lake, covering an area of 8 square kilometers, resembles a bright pearl embedded in the city center and is a famous scenic tourist spot. Urban construction land in the city generally lies at elevations between 18 and 50 meters above sea level. The city's total drainage area is 2,245 square kilometers, with the Daye Lake water system covering 1,339 square kilometers and the Bao'an Lake water system covering 570 square kilometers.

The region features well-developed karst landforms with numerous caves, many of which hold potential for tourism development. The terrain slopes from southwest to northeast, characterized by fragmented topography and incomplete intermountain basins in some areas. The slopes of the ridges are generally gentle, with lower elevations along the riverbanks. The area is rich in groundwater and possesses favorable engineering geological properties, providing advantageous conditions for urban construction and development. The seismic fortification intensity for Huangshi is set at degree 6. The geological conditions are relatively good, with generally high bearing capacity. Except for isolated soft soil layers with bearing capacities below 10 t/m², most areas range between 15 and 20 t/m².

4. Administrative Divisions

Huangshi City administers 4 municipal districts and 1 county, and also governs 1 county-level city on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Huangshigang District, Xisaishan District, Xialu District, Tieshan District
• County-level City: Daye City
• County: Yangxin County

Additionally, Huangshi Daye Lake High-tech Industrial Development Zone is a national-level high-tech industrial development zone, and Huangshi Economic and Technological Development Zone is a national-level economic and technological development zone.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|----------------|--------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 420200 | Huangshi City | Huángshí Shì | 4,567.65 | 2,469,079 | Xialu District | 435000 | 19 | 27 | 1 | | 420202 | Huangshigang District | Huángshígǎng Qū | 26.59 | 241,589 | Shenjiaying Subdistrict | 435000 | 4 | | | | 420203 | Xisaishan District | Xīsàishān Qū | 112.48 | 197,217 | Baquan Subdistrict | 435000 | 5 | 1 | | | 420204 | Xialu District | Xiàlù Qū | 66.20 | 215,181 | Xinxialu Subdistrict | 435000 | 4 | | | | 420205 | Tieshan District | Tiěshān Qū | 27.83 | 41,907 | Tieshan Subdistrict | 435000 | 1 | | | | 420222 | Yangxin County | Yángxīn Xiàn | 2,777.84 | 901,971 | Xingguo Town | 435200 | | 16 | | | 420281 | Daye City | Dàyě Shì | 1,556.72 | 871,214 | Dongyue Road Subdistrict | 435100 | 5 | 10 | 1 |

5. Economy

Huangshi is an industrial city developed in the early modern era, renowned for its Daye Iron Mine known both domestically and internationally. It has earned titles such as "Hometown of Bronze," "Cradle of Steel," "Birthplace of Cement," and "New City of Garments." The city has established 14 leading industries, including metallurgy, building materials, and textiles. Five companies are listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, and Huangshi is home to a number of nationally recognized brands and trademarks, such as Donper Electromechanical (Donper Solar, Compressors), China Jingjiu Liquor, Huaxin Cement, Mayor Suits, Meidao Garments, and Hubei Xinye Steel. As a key pivot in the Yangtze River Economic Development Belt, a sub-central city in the Wuhan Metropolitan Circle, and the economic leader of eastern Hubei, Huangshi faces numerous development opportunities. However, the city currently grapples with challenges such as resource depletion and sluggish economic growth.

According to the 2010 Huangshi Municipal Government Work Report, the city's annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached 68.7 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 15.5% at comparable prices. The added value of industries above a designated scale amounted to 34.37 billion yuan, up by 22%. Total fixed-asset investment in society reached 46.8 billion yuan, growing by 36.4%. Total fiscal revenue was 7.15 billion yuan, an increase of 19.5%, while local general budget revenue stood at 3.41 billion yuan, up by 31%. Total retail sales of consumer goods exceeded 30 billion yuan, marking a growth of 20.6%.

6. Transportation

Huangshi is well-connected to various parts of China externally. The Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway, Daqing-Guangzhou Expressway, and Fuzhou-Yinchuan Expressway traverse the urban area, providing access upward to Chongqing and Chengdu and downward to Nanjing and Shanghai. The Wuhan-Huangshi-Jiujiang Railway connects to the Beijing-Kowloon Line in the east and the Beijing-Guangzhou Line in the west. The Wuhan-Jiujiang Passenger Dedicated Line provides high-speed connectivity to the Wuhan Metropolitan Area and Jiangxi Province. The waterway, relying on the Yangtze River, offers convenient access to the sea, giving the city a distinct regional advantage.

6.1 Highways

Huangshi City enjoys a clear regional advantage with convenient transportation and logistics. It is only 60 kilometers away from Wuhan, the provincial capital of Hubei known as the "thoroughfare to nine provinces." Within its territory are national expressways including the Shanghai-Chongqing, Daqing-Guangzhou, Hangzhou-Ruili, and Fuzhou-Yinchuan Expressways, as well as the provincial Qichun-Jiayu Expressway, along with National Highways 106 and 316. The Huangshi Yangtze River Bridge and the Edong Yangtze River Bridge facilitate smooth connections between Huangshi and cities along the east-west axis of central China. The expressway journey between Wuhan and Huangshi takes about 40 minutes, providing easy access to important cities in East and Central China such as Shanghai, Nanjing, Hefei, Jiujiang, Nanchang, and Changsha via the expressway network.

According to the adjustment plans of the National Expressway Network by the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China and the Hubei Provincial Expressway Network, the city's expressway network will be reconfigured into a "three verticals, three horizontals, and one ring" layout:

Vertical 1: Macheng-Yangxin Expressway and the Wuxue Yangtze River Highway Bridge. The section within the city is approximately 20 kilometers long. Vertical 2: Huangshi-Yangxin Expressway, with a total length of about 50 kilometers. Vertical 3: Daqing-Guangzhou Expressway section from Dongfangshan to Yangxin Longgang. Total length about 77.6 kilometers. Horizontal 1: Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway and the Edong Yangtze River Highway Bridge. Horizontal 2: Huangshi-Xianning Expressway and the Qipanzhou Yangtze River Highway Bridge. The section within the city totals about 71 kilometers. Horizontal 3: Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway section from Yangxin Longgang to Jieshou. Total length about 65 kilometers. One Ring: Comprising the Huangshi-Xianning Expressway section from Daye Jinhu to Yangxin Qipanzhou, the Qipanzhou Yangtze River Highway Bridge, the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway section from Guanyao to Sanhua, the Edong Yangtze River Highway Bridge, and the Daqing-Guangzhou Expressway section from Huahu to Jinhu. This forms a major urban expressway outer ring encompassing nearly 600 square kilometers, with a total ring length of approximately 108 kilometers.

6.2 Shipping

Huangshi is an open city along the Yangtze River. Relying on the Yangtze, it can navigate upstream to Yichang and Chongqing, downstream to Nanjing and Shanghai, directly reaching the sea. Its foreign trade port can handle international standard containers and heavy-lift cargo operations. The 12th Five-Year Plan includes the construction of the Qipanzhou Port Area (Huangshi New Port) to enhance the function of Huangshi as a major Yangtze River port. The first and second phases of the Qipanzhou New Port Area have been completed and are operational, achieving a port handling capacity of 24 million tons. The third phase of the Qipanzhou Port Area will be initiated at an appropriate time, aiming to increase the total handling capacity of the Qipanzhou Port Area to 45-50 million tons, double the current total port handling capacity of the city. By 2015, Huangshi Port plans to add 19 new berths, bringing the total to 157; increase annual port handling capacity by 24 million tons to reach 48.5 million tons, including: foreign trade annual throughput capacity of 3 million tons, container capacity of 220,000 TEUs, and passenger throughput capacity of 1.35 million人次 annually; add 34 kilometers of Class IV waterways and 81.3 kilometers of Class V waterways.

6.3 Aviation

It is about a 1 hour and 30-minute drive from the central hub airport, Wuhan Tianhe International Airport, which offers direct flights to major domestic cities and has also opened direct flights to Taipei, Hong Kong, and Macau. In December 2010, Wuhan Tianhe Airport established its first remote terminal building in Hubei Province within Huangshi. In October 2012, a second remote terminal building was established.

6.4 Railway

Within its territory is the national Class I double-track Wuhan-Jiujiang Railway, an important component of the national railway network's "Along the Yangtze River Corridor," as well as the high-speed Wuhan-Huangshi Intercity Railway (future Wuhan-Jiujiang Passenger Dedicated Line) traversing the city.

Huangshi Railway Station: A Class II passenger and freight transport station on the Wuhan-Jiujiang Line, offering direct services to Shanghai, Beijing, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Baotou, Nanchang, etc. Huangshi Station is a new station built after the double-tracking renovation of the Wuhan-Jiujiang Railway. Construction began in November 2003 and was completed on January 9, 2006. After its completion, the original Huangshi Station was renamed Huangshi East Station. Huangshi Station is located at 108 km + 146 m on the Wuhan-Jiujiang Line, at the junction of Huangshi and Daye cities. It was designed as a Class I passenger station but currently operates as a Class II passenger station, primarily handling passenger transport for Huangshi City, Daye City, and surrounding areas. The station building is a frame structure with a total floor area of 23,795 square meters, featuring an axially symmetrical artistic layout. The waiting hall covers 4,131 square meters, divided into first and second-floor general waiting rooms, a mother-and-child waiting room, a soft-seat waiting room, and a VIP waiting room, capable of accommodating 3,442 passengers simultaneously. There are 8 ticket windows (6 inside the station, 1 agency in Huangshi, 1 agency in Daye). The station has two platforms, both equipped with "V"-shaped canopies. Platform 1 covers 8,250 square meters, and Platform 2 covers 6,655 square meters. A fully enclosed overpass and an underground passage connect the two platforms, providing safe and convenient passage for boarding and alighting passengers. The station also has a 650-square-meter luggage consignment warehouse handling luggage and parcel services nationwide. The station square covers nearly 80,000 square meters, providing a leisure area for travelers. Currently, Huangshi Station sends over 800 passengers daily, which can reach 8,000 during the peak Spring Festival travel period. Huangshi East Station (Old Town Railway Station): Passenger service has currently ceased, and it only handles freight operations. Huangshi North Station: A station established within Huangshi urban area for the Wuhan-Huangshi Intercity Railway (future Wuhan-Jiujiang Passenger Dedicated Line), serving as a high-speed intercity railway station. Daye North Station: A station established in Daye, Huangshi for the Wuhan-Huangshi Intercity Railway (future Wuhan-Jiujiang Passenger Dedicated Line), serving as a high-speed intercity railway station. Yangxin Railway Station: A Class III passenger and freight transport station on the Wuhan-Jiujiang Line, offering services to Shanghai, Beijing, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Wenzhou, Nanchang, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Shantou, etc. Yangxin Railway Station is located in the southwest of Yangxin County town. The old station opened in 1989, connecting to the Wuhan-Jiujiang Line (future Wuhan-Jiujiang Passenger Dedicated Line). The current station is a new one built after the double-tracking renovation of the Wuhan-Jiujiang Railway, opened on August 20, 2005.

6.5 Public Transport and Taxis

The urban area has approximately 30 bus routes, categorized into flat-fare and graduated-fare systems (implementing a year-round flat fare, eliminating seasonal air-conditioned bus fares. Urban air-conditioned buses uniformly charge a flat fare of 2 yuan, with an 80% discount for card payments (1.6 yuan per ride); routes 7, 18, and 19, which cross regions, are adjusted to a 2-3 yuan graduated fare system; special line and non-air-conditioned bus fares remain unchanged). Among them, parts of routes 7 and 18 are located within Daye City and are jointly managed by Huangshi City and Daye City. Routes 9 and 16 extend to the Huahu area of Ezhou City. Routes 101 and 102 are dedicated night routes. The taxi starting fare is 5 yuan, with 1.4 yuan per kilometer beyond 1.5 kilometers, adjusting every 500 meters by 0.7 yuan each time.

7. Education

7.1 Higher Education

Major Institutions of Higher Education:

• Hubei Normal University
• Hubei Polytechnic University
• College of Arts and Sciences, Hubei Normal University
• Hubei Engineering Vocational College

7.2 Secondary Education

Some Secondary Schools:

• Huangshi No. 1 High School (Affiliated High School of Hubei Normal University)
• Huangshi No. 2 High School
• Huangshi No. 3 High School
• Huangshi No. 4 High School
• Huangshi No. 5 High School
• Huangshi No. 6 High School
• Huangshi No. 7 High School
• Huangshi No. 8 High School
• Huangshi No. 9 High School
• Huangshi No. 10 High School
• Huangshi No. 14 High School
• Huangshi Girls' Art School (South Campus of Huangshi No. 14 High School)
• Huangshi No. 15 High School
• Huangshi No. 16 High School
• Huangshi No. 17 High School
• Huangshi No. 18 High School
• Huangshi No. 20 High School
• Huangshi No. 21 High School
• Huangshi No. 22 High School
• Chinese-English School
• Huangshi Art School
• Huangshi Jiangbei School
• Huangshi Xisai High School
• Huangshi Hekou High School
• Huangshi Experimental High School
• Huangshi Nonferrous Metals No. 1 High School
• Huangshi Nonferrous Metals No. 2 High School
• Huangshi Xialu High School
• Huangshi Xiaopu High School
• Huangshi Nanhu High School
• Huangshi Tieshan District No. 1 High School
• Huangshi Luzhangshan High School
• Huangshi Sike High School
• Huangshi Pengcheng High School
• Huangshi Wangren High School
• Huangshi Dongyue High School
• Daye No. 1 High School
• Yangxin County No. 1 High School

7.3 Primary Education

Some Primary Schools:

• Zhongshan Primary School
• Shenjiaying Primary School
• Guangchanglu Primary School
• Guangchanglu Yingcai School
• Wuhanlu Primary School
• Chinese-English School
• Laohutou Primary School
• Xialu Primary School
• Majiazui Primary School
• Shifulu Primary School
• Yanhulu Primary School
• Minzhujie Primary School
• Hubinlu Primary School
• Liaoyangyuan Primary School
• Nanzhulin Primary School
• Huahu Primary School
• Cihu Primary School
• Gongjiaxiang Primary School
• Baimashan Primary School
• Ke'ershan Primary School

8. Population

By the end of 2022, Huangshi City had a permanent resident population of 2.444 million, with an urban population of 1.6385 million, resulting in an urbanization rate of 67.04%.

According to the Seventh National Population Census conducted in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 2,469,079. Compared with the 2,429,318 people recorded in the Sixth National Population Census, this represents an increase of 39,761 people over the ten-year period, a growth rate of 1.64%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.16%. Among them, the male population was 1,281,287, accounting for 51.89% of the total population; the female population was 1,187,792, accounting for 48.11% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 107.87. The population aged 0–14 was 539,990, accounting for 21.87% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,508,972, accounting for 61.11% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 420,117, accounting for 17.02% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 309,695, accounting for 12.54% of the total population. The population residing in urban areas was 1,628,537, accounting for 65.96% of the total population; the population residing in rural areas was 840,542, accounting for 34.04% of the total population.

8.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han Chinese population was 2,458,834, accounting for 99.59%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 10,245, accounting for 0.41%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han Chinese population increased by 33,768, a growth of 1.39%, but its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.24 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 5,993, a growth of 140.95%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.24 percentage points.

nix

9. Culture

9.1 Major Attractions

• Natural Attractions: Cihu Lake, Xisai Mountain, Dongfang Mountain, Feiyun Cave, Taohua Ancient Cave, Chengyue Island, Xiandao Lake
• Cultural Attractions: Site of the Ewang City, Honghua Chan Temple, Huangshi National Mine Park, Yijiang Pavilion, Mineral Exposition Park

9.2 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Site of the Ancient Copper Mine at Tonglüshan
• Site of the Ewang City
• Revolutionary Site of Longgang
• Site of the Hanyeping Coal and Iron Works and Mines
• Site of the Daye Mutiny
• Revolutionary Site of the Red Third Army Corps
• Site of Dalupu
• Site of Huaxin Cement Plant

nix

nix

nix

nix

nix

No. 1, Hangzhou East Road, Xialu District

Yangxin County

nix

Camphor tree

Pomegranate flower