Xilingol (锡林郭勒盟)

1. Introduction

Xilingol League (Mongolian: ᠰᠢᠯᠢ ᠶᠢᠨ ᠭᠣᠣᠯ ᠠᠢᠮᠠᠭ, Chinese Pinyin: Shiliin gol aimag, Buryat transliteration: Sili-yin γool ayimaγ, Cyrillic: Шилийн Гол аймаг, meaning "river on the plateau") is a league under the jurisdiction of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, located in the central-eastern part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Its jurisdiction borders the Xing'an League, Tongliao City, and Chifeng City to the east; Chengde City and Zhangjiakou City of Hebei Province to the south; Ulanqab City to the west; and Mongolia to the north. Situated in the central part of the Inner Mongolia Plateau, the terrain is higher in the south and lower in the north. The eastern edge of the league is the western foothills of the Greater Khingan Range, the central part is the Ulagai Basin, and the western part is the eastern section of the Ulanqab Plateau. Most rivers within the league are seasonal inland rivers, with the main rivers being the Ulagai River and the Xilin River. The Mongolian population accounts for about 30% of the league's total population. The league's administrative office is located in Xilinhot City. Xilingol League is an important livestock product production base in the region, with vast grasslands and a developed horse breeding industry, earning it the title "China's Horse Capital." Erenhot, located in the northwestern border area of the league, is an important port on the China-Mongolia border.

nix

2. History

Most of the area north of the Great Wall, which today belongs to Xilingol League, was long ruled by nomadic empires such as the Xiongnu, Rouran, and Turkic Khaganates. During China's Warring States period and Qin dynasty, the southern part was the northern territory of Shanggu Commandery, while the southwestern part was the northern territory of Yuyang Commandery. In the Han, Wei, and Jin periods, the southern part belonged to Youzhou. During the Sixteen Kingdoms and Northern and Southern Dynasties period, the southern part of the region was successively ruled by Former Yan, Former Qin, Later Yan, Northern Yan, Northern Wei, Eastern Wei, Northern Qi, and Northern Zhou. In the Sui dynasty, the western and southern parts belonged to Anle Commandery and Zhuo Commandery. In the early Tang dynasty, the southern part was the northern territory of Hebei Circuit, the northern part was the northern territory of Guannei Circuit, and the northern part was under the jurisdiction of the Protectorate General to Pacify the North (Dan Yu Duhufu) of Guannei Circuit.

During the Khitan Liao dynasty, Xilingol League was under the jurisdiction of Linhuang Prefecture, the Supreme Capital. In 1115 AD, the Jurchens established the Jin dynasty. The eastern part was under the jurisdiction of Qingzhou in the Linhuangfu Circuit, where the Dayanshuo (Ejinor Salt Lake) Qunmusi (Group Pasturage Office) was established. The northern part was inhabited by the Mongol Hongjila tribe. The southern part belonged to the territory of Xuande Prefecture. The area around the present-day Zhenglan Banner in the central part was under the jurisdiction of the Northwest Circuit Pacification Commissioner's Office, where Huanzhou (the site of Shilangcheng in Zhenglan Banner) was established. The western part was under the jurisdiction of the Ongud tribe. After Kublai Khan established the Yuan dynasty, he built Shangdu (Xanadu) within the territory of present-day Zhenglan Banner on the Xilingol grassland. The southern regions were respectively under the jurisdiction of Baochangzhou in Xinghe Circuit of the Zhongshu Province, Huanzhou in Shangdu Circuit, and Yingchang Prefecture. The northern parts were respectively the fiefdoms of the Shangdu Provincial Government Offices, Lingbei Province's Hening Circuit, and the Jinan Prince's tribe.

During the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty, Shangdu was renamed Kaiping Qiantun Guard. Yingchang and Huanzhou became postal stations. The southern part was the northern territory of Shuntian Prefecture, the capital region, where the Kaiping Guard was established but later abandoned. After the Oirats were defeated, the area became the pastureland of the Three Left-Wing Tumens (administrative divisions) granted by Dayan Khan of the Mongols. In the 6th year of Chongde of the Qing dynasty (1641), the Abag Right Banner, Sonid Right Banner, and Ujimqin Right Banner were established. In the 7th year (1642), the Sonid Left Banner was established. In the 3rd year of Shunzhi (1646), the Qaɣučid Left Banner and Ujimqin Left Banner were established. In the 8th year (1651), the Abag Left Banner was established. In the 10th year (1653), the Qaɣučid Right Banner was established. In the 4th year of Kangxi (1665), the Abaganar Left Banner was established. In the 6th year (1667), the Abaganar Right Banner was established.

During the Kangxi period, the league assemblies (chuulgan) of the banners of the Inner Jasagh Mongols became customary. Except for Xilingol League, the meeting places and names of the other five leagues were fixed. In the 41st year of Kangxi (1702), the two Ujimqin banners, two Qaɣučid banners, two Abag banners, two Abaganar banners, and two Sonid banners—ten banners in total—held one assembly at the place called Qurq-a Qay-a. Qurq-a Qay-a is located north of the confluence of the Gestei River and the Huiteng River within the territory of present-day Bayandelger Sum, Abag Banner, Xilingol League, i.e., the eastern part of Qagan Nur Sum.

Based on historical materials, contemporary researchers speculate that during the two assemblies held in either the 45th year of Kangxi (1706) or the 49th year (1710), the meeting place was changed to Xilingol. In the 6th year of Yongzheng (1728), the Qing court resumed the league assemblies, and Xilingol League (Mongolian: ᠰᠢᠯᠢ ᠶᠢᠨ ᠭᠣᠣᠯ ᠠᠢᠮᠠᠭ, Cyrillic: Шлын голын чуулган) gradually became the official league name. Xilingol refers to the Chugulan Oboo on the north bank of the Xilingol River.

The entire league consisted of two banners from the Ujimqin tribe, two from the Qaɣučid tribe, two from the Sonid tribe, two from the Abag tribe, and two from the Abaganar tribe—totaling five tribes and ten banners—and remained unchanged until the end of the Qing dynasty. Together with Juu Uda League, Jirim League, and Josotu League, it was called the "Four Eastern Leagues" or Eastern Mongolia.

In the 2nd year of the Republic of China (1913), the Chahar Special Administrative Region was established, comprising the Koubei Circuit of Zhili Province, the Suiyuan Military Governor, Chahar Province, and Xilingol League. In the 17th year of the Republic (1928), it was changed to Chahar Province. During the War of Resistance against Japan, it was occupied by the Japanese army and ruled by the Mongol United Autonomous Government (Mengjiang) under Prince Demchugdongrub, supported by the Japanese. The Chinese Communist Party established the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region to govern the area. In 1947, Xilingol League (Aimag) was incorporated into the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Government.

In 1949, Xilingol League remained part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In 1950, the original ten banners were reorganized into five banners: the Ujimqin Left and Right Banners and the Qaɣučid Left Banner were merged into the East-West Ujimqin East Qaɣučid United Banner; the Qaɣučid Right Banner, Abag Left Banner, and Abaganar Left Banner were merged into the East Abag East Abaganar West Qaɣučid United Banner (Central United Banner); the Abag Right Banner and Abaganar Right Banner were merged into the West Abag West Abaganar United Banner; the Sonid Left and Right Banners remained unchanged.

In 1952, the East-West Ujimqin East Qaɣučid United Banner was abolished, and the Eastern United Banner was established. The East Abag East Abaganar West Qaɣučid United Banner and the West Abag West Abaganar United Banner were abolished and merged to establish the Western United Banner. In 1956, the Eastern United Banner was abolished and replaced by East Ujimqin Banner and West Ujimqin Banner. The Western United Banner was abolished and replaced by Abag Banner. In 1958, Chahar League was abolished. The counties and banners originally belonging to Chahar League—Duolun County, Huade County, Taibus Banner, Zhengxiangbai Banner, Zhenglan Banner, and Shangdu Xianghuang Banner—were transferred to Xilingol League. In 1960, Huade County and Shangdu Xianghuang Banner were merged into Xianghuang Banner. In 1963, Huade County was re-established, and Abaganar Banner was separated from Abag Banner. In January 1966, Erlian Town was upgraded to Erlianhot City. In November 1969, Sonid Right Banner, Erlianhot City, and Huade County were transferred to Ulanqab League. In May 1980, Erlianhot City and Sonid Right Banner were transferred back to Xilingol League. In October 1983, Abaganar Banner was abolished and replaced by Xilinhot City.

3. Geography

Xilingol League is located 640 kilometers from Beijing and 620 kilometers from Hohhot. It borders Zhangjiakou and Chengde in Hebei Province to the south, Ulanqab City to the west, and Chifeng City, Hinggan League, and Tongliao City to the east. The total area is 203,000 square kilometers. The terrain of Xilingol League is higher in the south and lower in the north. The eastern and southern regions are characterized by low mountains and hills, interspersed with basins, forming the western extension of the Greater Khingan Range and the eastern extension of the Yin Mountains. The western and northern areas feature flat terrain, scattered low hills and lava plateaus, constituting a plateau grassland. The elevation ranges from 800 to 1,800 meters. The highest peak is Guruges Ula Mountain, with an elevation of 1,957 meters. The Hunshandak Sandy Land, also known as the Little Tengger Sandy Land, stretches from northwest to southeast across the central region, approximately 280 kilometers long from east to west and 40 to 100 kilometers wide from north to south. It is classified as a semi-fixed sandy land.

Xilingol League experiences a northern temperate continental climate, characterized primarily by strong winds, aridity, and cold temperatures. The average annual temperature ranges from 0 to 3°C. The freezing period lasts up to five months, and the cold period extends up to seven months. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of -20°C, making it one of the coldest regions in North China. July is the warmest month, with an average temperature of 21°C. The annual temperature range is 35–42°C, with an extreme maximum temperature of 39.9°C and an extreme minimum temperature of -42.4°C. The average daily temperature range is 12–16°C. The average annual precipitation is 295 millimeters, decreasing from southeast to northwest. The highest recorded precipitation was 628 millimeters (Taibus Banner, 1959), while the lowest was 83 millimeters (Erenhot City, 1966). Rainfall is concentrated mainly in July, August, and September. The average total snowfall from November to March is 8–15 millimeters. From October 26 to 29, 1977, the total snowfall reached 36–48 millimeters, with the snowfall center recording 58 millimeters. The average annual relative humidity is below 60%, and evaporation ranges from 1,500 to 2,700 millimeters, increasing from east to west. The highest evaporation recorded in Erenhot City was 3,150 millimeters (1963). The peak evaporation occurs in May and June. The annual sunshine duration is 2,800–3,200 hours, with a sunshine rate of 64–73%. The frost-free period lasts 110–130 days.

Average Meteorological Data for Xilinhot City, 1981–2010

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|---------|---------|---------|---------| | Average High °C (°F) | -12.1 (10.2) | -6.7 (19.9) | 2.3 (36.1) | 13.4 (56.1) | 20.8 (69.4) | 25.9 (78.6) | 27.9 (82.2) | 26.5 (79.7) | 20.9 (69.6) | 11.7 (53.1) | 0.0 (32.0) | -9.3 (15.3) | 10.1 (50.2) | | Daily Mean °C (°F) | -18.8 (-1.8) | -14.2 (6.4) | -5.2 (22.6) | 5.7 (42.3) | 13.5 (56.3) | 19.2 (66.6) | 21.6 (70.9) | 19.8 (67.6) | 13.3 (55.9) | 4.1 (39.4) | -7.0 (19.4) | -15.5 (4.1) | 3.0 (37.5) | | Average Low °C (°F) | -23.9 (−11.0) | -20.2 (−4.4) | -11.6 (11.1) | -1.5 (29.3) | 5.9 (42.6) | 12.3 (54.1) | 15.7 (60.3) | 13.6 (56.5) | 6.6 (43.9) | -2.1 (28.2) | -12.4 (9.7) | -20.4 (−4.7) | -3.2 (26.3) | | Average Precipitation mm (inches) | 2.0 (0.08) | 2.1 (0.08) | 5.0 (0.20) | 7.6 (0.30) | 23.6 (0.93) | 45.3 (1.78) | 72.9 (2.87) | 61.6 (2.43) | 25.1 (0.99) | 10.0 (0.39) | 5.1 (0.20) | 3.2 (0.13) | 263.5 (10.38) | | Average Precipitation Days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 4.1 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 5.9 | 10.9 | 14.0 | 11.6 | 6.7 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 78.6 | | Average Relative Humidity (%) | 72 | 67 | 54 | 38 | 39 | 48 | 59 | 60 | 53 | 52 | 60 | 70 | 56 | | Mean Monthly Sunshine Hours | 205.0 | 213.7 | 262.1 | 271.6 | 298.2 | 287.5 | 276.9 | 273.3 | 254.5 | 239.7 | 199.7 | 187.8 | 2,970 | | Percentage of Possible Sunshine | 72 | 73 | 72 | 68 | 66 | 63 | 59 | 63 | 68 | 70 | 69 | 68 | 67 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Xilingol League currently administers 2 county-level cities, 1 county, and 9 banners.

• County-level cities: Erenhot City, Xilinhot City
• County: Duolun County
• Banners: Abag Banner, Sonid Left Banner, Sonid Right Banner, East Ujimqin Banner, West Ujimqin Banner, Taibus Banner, Xianghuang Banner, Zhengxiangbai Banner, Zhenglan Banner

Among them, Erenhot City is a quasi-prefectural-level city separately listed in the plan by the autonomous region.

Additionally, Xilingol League has also established the Urad Management Area, which was reformed from the state-owned Urad Farm and Pasture Administration.

Administrative Divisions of Xilingol

| Division Code | Division Name Traditional Mongolian Script | Hanyu Pinyin Latin Transliteration | Area (sq km) | Permanent Population (2020 Census) | Seat of Government | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Sums | |-------------------|---------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|----------| | 152500 | Xilingol League ᠰᠢᠯᠢ ᠶᠢᠨ ᠭᠣᠣᠯ ᠠᠢᠮᠠᠭ | Xīlínguōlè Méng Sili-yin γool ayimaγ | 199,883.52 | 1,107,075 | Xilinhot City | 026000 | 11 | 36 | 3 | 32 | | 152501 | Erenhot City ᠡᠷᠢᠶᠡᠨ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ | Èrliánhàotè Shì Eriyen qota | 4,013.05 | 75,794 | Ulan Subdistrict | 011100 | 3 | | | 1 | | 152502 | Xilinhot City ᠰᠢᠯᠢ ᠶᠢᠨ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ | Xīlínhàotè Shì Sili-yin qota | 14,780.18 | 349,953 | Xiritala Subdistrict | 026000 | 8 | 1 | | 3 | | 152522 | Abag Banner ᠠᠪᠠᠭ᠎ᠠ ᠬᠣᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Ābāgā Qí Abaγ-a qosiγu | 27,473.88 | 38,589 | Bilgut Town | 011400 | | 3 | | 4 | | 152523 | Sonid Left Banner ᠰᠥᠨᠢᠳ ᠵᠡᠭᠦᠨ ᠬᠣᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Sūnítè Zuǒ Qí Sönid jegün qosiγu | 34,240.18 | 33,643 | Mandalt Town | 011300 | | 3 | | 4 | | 152524 | Sonid Right Banner ᠰᠥᠨᠢᠳ ᠪᠠᠷᠠᠭᠤᠨ ᠬᠣᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Sūnítè Yòu Qí Sönid baraγun qosiγu | 22,455.47 | 62,402 | Saihantal Town | 011200 | | 3 | | 4 | | 152525 | East Ujimqin Banner ᠵᠡᠭᠦᠨ ᠦᠵᠦᠮᠦᠴᠢᠨ ᠬᠣᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Dōng Wūzhūmùqìn Qí J̌egün üǰümüčin qosiγu | 45,574.91 | 94,076 | Uliastai Town | 026300 | | 6 | | 4 | | 152526 | West Ujimqin Banner ᠪᠠᠷᠠᠭᠤᠨ ᠦᠵᠦᠮᠦᠴᠢᠨ ᠬᠤᠰᠵᠠᠭᠤ | Xī Wūzhūmùqìn Qí Baraγun üǰümüčin qosiγu | 22,459.38 | 99,255 | Barag Gool Town | 026200 | | 5 | | 2 | | 152527 | Taibus Banner ᠲᠠᠶᠢᠹᠦᠰᠸ ᠬᠣᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Tàipúsì Qí Tayipusë qosiγu | 3,426.14 | 109,370 | Baochang Town | 027000 | | 5 | 1 | 1 | | 152528 | Xianghuang Banner ᠬᠥᠪᠡᠭᠡᠲᠦ ᠱᠠᠷ᠎ᠠ ᠬᠣᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Xiānghuáng Qí Köbegetü sir-a qosiγu | 5,137.27 | 27,399 | Xinbaolage Town | 013200 | | 2 | | 2 | | 152529 | Zhengxiangbai Banner ᠰᠢᠯᠤᠭᠤᠨ ᠬᠥᠪᠡᠭᠡᠲᠦ ᠴᠠᠭᠠᠨ ᠬᠤᠰᠵᠠᠭᠤ | Zhèngxiāngbái Qí Siluγun köbegetü čaγan qosiγu | 6,253.09 | 42,950 | Mingantu Town | 013800 | | 2 | | 3 | | 152530 | Zhenglan Banner ᠰᠢᠯᠤᠭᠤᠨ ᠬᠥᠬᠡ ᠬᠣᠰᠢᠭᠤ | Zhènglán Qí Siluγun Köke qosiγu | 10,206.29 | 69,908 | Shangdu Town | 027200 | | 3 | | 4 | | 152531 | Duolun County ᠲᠤᠯᠤᠨ ᠨᠠᠭᠤᠷ ᠰᠢᠶᠠᠩ | Duōlún Xiàn Dolon naγur siyan | 3,863.69 | 103,736 | Duolun Nur Town | 027300 | | 3 | 2 | |

nix

nix

nix

5. Population

According to the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the permanent resident population of the entire league was 1,028,022. Compared with the 993,400 people at zero hour on November 1, 2000, from the Fifth National Population Census, the population increased by 34,622 over the ten years, a growth of 3.49%. The average annual growth rate was 0.34%. Among them, the male population was 536,361, accounting for 52.17%; the female population was 491,661, accounting for 47.83%. The sex ratio of the permanent resident population (with females as 100) was 109.09. The population aged 0–14 was 141,788, accounting for 13.79%; the population aged 15–64 was 817,616, accounting for 79.53%; and the population aged 65 and above was 68,618, accounting for 6.67%.

According to the 2020 Seventh National Population Census, the permanent resident population of the entire league was 1,107,075. Compared with the 1,028,022 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the population increased by 79,053 over the ten years, a growth of 7.69%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.74%. Among them, the male population was 571,371, accounting for 51.61% of the total population; the female population was 535,704, accounting for 48.39% of the total population. The overall population sex ratio (with females as 100) was 106.66. The population aged 0–14 was 155,628, accounting for 14.06% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 753,668, accounting for 68.08% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 197,779, accounting for 17.87% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 127,696, accounting for 11.53% of the total population. The population residing in urban areas was 817,897, accounting for 73.88% of the total population; the population residing in rural areas was 289,178, accounting for 26.12% of the total population.

At the end of 2022, the permanent resident population of the entire league was 1.1193 million, an increase of 3,600 from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban population was 835,300, and the rural population was 284,000; the urbanization rate of the permanent resident population reached 74.6%, an increase of 0.1 percentage points from the end of the previous year. The male population was 577,800, and the female population was 541,500. The annual number of births was 6,200.

5.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the permanent resident population, the Han Chinese population was 728,623, accounting for 65.82%; the Mongolian population was 334,868, accounting for 30.25%; and the population of other ethnic minorities was 43,584, accounting for 3.94%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han Chinese population increased by 46,747, a growth of 6.86%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.51 percentage points; the population of all ethnic minorities increased by 32,306, a growth of 9.33%, with their proportion of the total population increasing by 0.51 percentage points. Among them, the Mongolian population increased by 25,104, a growth of 8.1%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.12 percentage points; the Manchu population increased by 5,127, a growth of 21.36%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.3 percentage points.

Ethnic Composition of Xilingol League (November 2020)

| Ethnic Group | Han | Mongolian | Manchu | Hui | Daur | Miao | Korean | Tujia | Dong | Yi | Other Ethnic Groups | |------------------|----------|------------|--------|--------|----------|------|--------|--------|------|------|----------------------| | Population | 728,623 | 334,868 | 29,129 | 10,768 | 968 | 428 | 270 | 263 | 251 | 241 | 1,266 | | % of Total Population | 65.82 | 30.25 | 2.63 | 0.97 | 0.09 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.11 | | % of Minority Population | — | 88.48 | 7.70 | 2.85 | 0.26 | 0.11 | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.33 |

nix

nix

nix

nix

nix

nix

Mongolian means "river on the plateau"

Xilinhot City

Xilinhot City

nix

nix

nix