Yulin (玉林)

1. Introduction

Yulin City (formerly known as Watlam, Postal romanization: Watlam) is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, located in the southeastern part of Guangxi. The city borders Qinzhou City to the west, Beihai City to the southwest, Zhanjiang City of Guangdong Province to the south, Maoming City of Guangdong Province to the east, Wuzhou City to the northeast, and Guigang City to the north. Situated in the hilly region of southeastern Guangxi, its northern part is dominated by the Darong Mountains, the western part by the Liuwan Dashan Mountains, the eastern part by the Yunkai Dashan Mountains, and the central area is a basin. The Nanliu River, Jiuzhou River, and Beiliu River all originate within its territory. Yulin is the largest and nationally renowned hometown of overseas Chinese in Guangxi, with over one million overseas Chinese and immigrants from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other regions. The People's Municipal Government is located at No. 1 Yudong Avenue, Yuzhou District.

2. Origin of the Name

According to Shuowen Jiezi (an ancient Chinese dictionary), it is recorded: "Yu (郁) refers to fragrant herbs. Ten leaves make a string, and 120 strings are boiled to produce yu. The character is composed of 臼, 冂, 缶, and 鬯, with 彡 as its ornament. Another interpretation is that yu chang (郁鬯) is the essence of a hundred herbs, aromatic plants contributed by the Yu people from distant lands, blended and brewed to invoke deities. Yu is present-day Yulin Commandery." This suggests that the name "Yulin" is likely related to a fragrant herb called "yu."

The name "Yulin" has been in use since the establishment of Yulin Prefecture in the first year of the Qianfeng era of the Tang Dynasty (666 AD). On March 30, 1956, the State Council of the People's Republic of China, considering the traditional character "鬱" (the traditional form of "郁" in "郁林") to be obscure and difficult to recognize, directed its renaming. It was replaced with the Mandarin homophone "玉" (yù), which has been used ever since.

3. History

3.1 Prefecture and Commandery History

During the pre-Qin period, the area belonged to the territory of the Xi'ou. In the 33rd year of Qin Shi Huang's reign (214 BC), it was under the jurisdiction of the Guilin Commandery and Xiang Commandery.

In the early Western Han Dynasty, it was part of the Nanyue Kingdom. In the 6th year of the Yuanding era (111 BC), it comprised the lands of Bushan County and Hepu County, belonging to the Yulin Commandery and Hepu Commandery under the Jiaozhi Inspectorate. During Wang Mang's Xin Dynasty, Yulin Commandery was renamed Yuping Commandery (later restored). In the 8th year of the Jian'an era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (203 AD), it was transferred to the Yulin Commandery and Hepu Commandery under the Jiaozhou Inspectorate. During the Three Kingdoms period, it was under the control of Eastern Wu. The lands of present-day Bushan and Hepu counties still belonged to the Yulin Commandery and Hepu Commandery under the Jiaozhou Inspectorate. In the 5th year of the Huangwu era (226 AD), Bushan County was transferred to the Yulin Commandery under the Guangzhou Inspectorate, but was soon reincorporated into Jiaozhou. (Book of Song, Southern Dynasties records: "Established by Wu, named Yinping."; Qing Unified Gazetteer records: "Wu established Yinping County, belonging to Yulin Commandery.")

During the Western Jin Dynasty, the present-day city area comprised the lands of Yinping County, Bushan County, and Hepu County, divided between the Yulin Commandery under the Guangzhou Inspectorate and the Hepu Commandery under the Jiaozhou Inspectorate. In the 1st year of the Taikang era (280 AD), Yinping County was renamed Yuping County.

During the Southern Dynasties, the northwestern part of the present-day city area, during the Song, Qi, and Liang dynasties, was the land of Yuping County, belonging to the Yulin Commandery under the Guangzhou Inspectorate. In the early Song Dynasty, it belonged to Hepu Commandery. In the 7th year of the Taishi era (471 AD), Fangdu County was established, belonging to the Nanliu Commandery of Yuezhou. During the Qi Dynasty, Xingchang County was added, belonging to the Dingchuan Commandery of Yuezhou. During the Liang Dynasty, Fangdu and Xingchang counties were abolished and incorporated into Dingchuan Commandery. During the Liang and Chen dynasties, Dingchuan Commandery still belonged to Yuezhou. During the Liang Dynasty, it was transferred to Dingzhou, and later to Nandingzhou. In the 2nd year of the Tianjia era of the Chen Dynasty (561 AD), Shinan County was established, belonging to Shinan Commandery. Both Shinan Commandery and Yulin Commandery belonged to Nandingzhou. The southeastern part of the present-day city area belonged to the land of Hepu County.

During the Sui Dynasty, Yuping County and Shinan County in the northwestern part of the present-day city area initially belonged to Nandingzhou. In the 10th year of the Kaihuang era (590 AD), they were transferred to Yizhou. In the 2nd year of the Daye era (606 AD), they belonged to Yuzhou, and in the 3rd year (607 AD), they were transferred again to Yulin Commandery. In the 1st year of the Qianfeng era of the Tang Dynasty (666 AD), Yulinzhou was established, administering five counties: Shinan, Xingye, Xingde, Tanli, and Yuping.

3.2 The Five Subordinates of Yulin

In the 5th year of the Kaibao era of the Song Dynasty (972 AD), Xingye County and Nanliu County belonged to Yulinzhou under Guangnan Circuit (later renamed Guangnan West Circuit). In the 2nd year of the Zhidao era (996 AD), the seat of Yulinzhou was moved to Nanliu County (present-day Yulin City). The prefectural seat was located in present-day Yuzhou District and has remained there for over a thousand years, hence Yulin is referred to as the "Millennium Yulin."

In the 4th year of the Daguan era (1110 AD), Yulinzhou administered Nanliu County and Xingye County; Rongzhou administered Puning, Luchuan, and Beiliu counties; Baizhou administered Bobai County. In the 1st year of the Zhenghe era (1111 AD), Bobai County came under its jurisdiction. In the 3rd year, Bobai County was transferred to Baizhou. After the southward crossing (in the 7th year of the Shaoxing era), it came under Yulinzhou's jurisdiction again. Yulinzhou administered three counties: Nanliu, Xingye, and Bobai, belonging to Guangnan West Circuit.

During the Yuan Dynasty, it administered Nanliu, Xingye, and Bobai counties. In the 10th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1377 AD), Beiliu and Luchuan counties came under its jurisdiction, forming the "Five Subordinates of Yulin" from then on.

During the Qing Dynasty's Shunzhi era, Yulinzhou was separated from Wuzhou Prefecture and belonged to the Guiping-Wuyu Circuit of Guangxi Province. In the 8th month of the 3rd year of the Yongzheng era (1725 AD), Yulinzhou was elevated to Yulin Directly Administered Prefecture, administering four counties: Beiliu, Bobai, Luchuan, and Xingye.

In the 1st year of the Republic of China, Yulin Directly Administered Prefecture was changed to Yulin Prefecture. The following year, it was changed to a county, belonging to the Yujiang Circuit of Guangxi Province. In the 3rd year, it was transferred to the Cangwu Circuit. In the 19th year, it belonged to the Yulin Civil Corps District. In the 21st year, it was transferred to the Wuzhou Civil Corps District. In the 23rd year, it was transferred to the Wuzhou Administrative Supervision District. In the 25th year, it belonged to the Xunzhou Administrative Supervision District, and later was transferred to the Yulin Administrative Supervision District.

3.3 Abolishing the Prefecture and Establishing the City

On November 29, 1949, the People's Liberation Army captured Yulin City. In December, Yulin Special District was established. The administrative office was stationed in Yulin, administering six counties: Yulin, Beiliu, Luchuan, Bobai, Xingye, and Guixian. In 1951, Yulin Special District and Wuzhou Special District were abolished and merged into Rongxian Special District. Guixian was transferred to Binyang Special District. In August 1952, Bobai was transferred to Qinzhou Special District (although the transfer procedures were not actually completed, nor was the relationship ever implemented). Guixian was transferred to Rongxian Special District. In March 1953, Bobai County was transferred to Rongxian Special District. In April, most of Xingye County (the four districts of Shinan, Mugen, Chenghuang, and Shanxin) was merged into Yulin County, with a small part merged into Guixian.

In April 1956, "Yulin" was changed to "Yulin" (玉林). In July 1958, Rongxian Special District was abolished, and Yulin Special District was established, administering Yulin, Rongxian, Beiliu, Bobai, Luchuan, Guiping, Pingnan, and Guixian. In 1971, it was renamed Yulin Prefecture. In October 1983, Yulin County was changed to Yulin City (county-level). In April 1994, Beiliu County was changed to Beiliu City (county-level). In October 1995, Guigang City was separated out.

In April 1997, Yulin Prefecture and the county-level Yulin City were abolished, and the prefecture-level Yulin City was established (the county-level Yulin City was split into Yuzhou District and Xingye County). In May of the same year, the Fumian Management Area was established as a dispatched agency of Yuzhou District. In June 2013, Yulin City Fumian District was officially established.

4. Geography

Located in the southeastern part of Guangxi, within the Nanliu River basin, it sits at the border between Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. To the east, it neighbors Wuzhou City and Maoming City of Guangdong Province; to the south, it adjoins Beihai City and Zhanjiang City of Guangdong Province; to the west, it borders Qinzhou City; and to the north, it connects with Guigang City. The administrative area covers 12,824 square kilometers, with the urban built-up area spanning 45 square kilometers.

4.1 Natural Features

Situated in the hilly terrains of southeastern Guangxi, the area features an intermingling of mountains, hills, valleys, terraces, and plains, with hills and terraces being particularly widespread. Plains and basins account for 17.4% of the city's area, hills and terraces for 49.4%, and mountains for 33%. Among these, the cultivated land area is 190,200 hectares, and the forested area is 682,000 hectares. The region experiences a typical South Asian subtropical monsoon climate, characterized by mild temperatures with an annual average of 21°C; abundant rainfall, averaging 1,650 mm per year; and ample sunlight and heat, with an average annual sunshine duration of 1,795 hours. The frost-free period is long, averaging 346 days per year.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--| | Avg High °C (°F) | 18.0(64.4) | 18.8(65.8) | 21.7(71.1) | 26.6(79.9) | 30.4(86.7) | 32.2(90.0) | 33.2(91.8) | 33.1(91.6) | 31.8(89.2) | 29.3(84.7) | 25.1(77.2) | 20.8(69.4) | 26.8(80.2) | | Avg Low °C (°F) | 10.3(50.5) | 12.3(54.1) | 15.3(59.5) | 20.0(68.0) | 22.9(73.2) | 24.8(76.6) | 25.3(77.5) | 25.3(77.5) | 23.7(74.7) | 20.4(68.7) | 15.7(60.3) | 11.4(52.5) | 19.0(66.1) | | Avg Precipitationmm (inches) | 59(2.3) | 68(2.7) | 83(3.3) | 158(6.2) | 244(9.6) | 256(10.1) | 246(9.7) | 191(7.5) | 137(5.4) | 60(2.4) | 44(1.7) | 31(1.2) | 1,577(62.1) |

Source: China Meteorological Administration

5. Administrative Divisions

Yulin City currently administers 2 municipal districts, 4 counties, and manages 1 county-level city on behalf of the higher-level government.

• Municipal Districts: Yuzhou District, Fumian District
• County-level City: Beiliu City
• Counties: Rong County, Luchuan County, Bobai County, Xingye County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin & Zhuang Script (Official Transcription) | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | |--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--| | 450900 | Yulin City | Yùlín Shì Yilinz Si | 12,824.18 | 5,796,766 | Yuzhou District | 537000 | 8 | 102 | | 450902 | Yuzhou District | Yùzhōu Qū Yicouh Gih | 435.54 | 908,121 | Yucheng Subdistrict | 537000 | 5 | 4 | | 450903 | Fumian District | Fúmián Qū Fuzmyanz Gih | 828.99 | 318,709 | Fumian Town | 537000 | | 6 | | 450921 | Rong County | Róng Xiàn Yungz Yen | 2,255.06 | 654,916 | Rongzhou Town | 537500 | | 15 | | 450922 | Luchuan County | Lùchuān Xiàn Luzconh Yen | 1,554.32 | 804,427 | Wenquan Town | 537700 | | 14 | | 450923 | Bobai County | Bóbái Xiàn Bozbwz Yen | 3,829.92 | 1,390,612 | Bobai Town | 537600 | | 28 | | 450924 | Xingye County | Xīngyè Xiàn Hinghyez Yen | 1,468.10 | 508,344 | Shinan Town | 537800 | | 13 | | 450981 | Beiliu City | Běiliú Shì Bwzliuz Si | 2,452.26 | 1,211,637 | Lingcheng Subdistrict | 537400 | 3 | 22 |

6. Economy

6.1 Agriculture

Yulin City enjoys a South Asian tropical climate with superior natural conditions and a long history of agricultural production. It is one of the earliest regions in Guangxi to develop agriculture. During the Qing Dynasty, double-cropping rice and cash crops such as peanuts, sugarcane, and indigo were already widely cultivated. It has earned the reputation of being the "Granary of Guangxi" and the "Ukraine of Guangxi." In 1990, it was commended by the State Council as a "National Advanced Unit in Grain Production."

7. Transportation

7.1 Aviation

• Yulin Fumian Airport

7.2 Railway

• Lizhan Railway passes through the area
• Nanshen High-Speed Railway passes through the area

7.3 Highway

• G59 Hubei Expressway passes through the area
• G80 Guangzhou-Kunming Expressway passes through the area
• National Highway 324 passes through the area
• National Highway 241 passes through the area

8. Education

8.1 Higher Education Institutions

• Public Undergraduate Universities: Yulin Normal University, Yulin Campus of Guangxi Medical University
• Private Vocational Colleges: Yuchai Vocational and Technical College

8.2 Secondary Schools

• Yulin High School
• Yulin No.1 Middle School
• Yulin Experimental Middle School
• Bobai Middle School
• Rongxian High School
• Beiliu High School
• Luchuan Middle School
• Xingye High School
• Tian Jiabing Middle School

9. Population

By the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 5.823 million, of which the urban population was 2.9753 million, accounting for 51.10% of the permanent resident population (urbanization rate of permanent residents).

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 5,796,766. Compared with the 5,487,368 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 309,398 people over the ten years, a growth of 5.64%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.55%. Among them, the male population was 3,007,266, accounting for 51.88% of the total population; the female population was 2,789,500, accounting for 48.12% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 107.81. The population aged 0–14 was 1,683,326, accounting for 29.04% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 3,197,544, accounting for 55.16% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 915,896, accounting for 15.8% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 671,839, accounting for 11.59% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 2,883,897, accounting for 49.75% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 2,912,869, accounting for 50.25% of the total population.

9.1 Ethnic Groups

The vast majority of local residents are Han Chinese, with an additional 100,000 ethnic minorities such as Zhuang and Miao. The local language commonly spoken is Cantonese.

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han Chinese population was 5,725,369, accounting for 98.77%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 71,397, accounting for 1.23%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han Chinese population increased by 280,021, a growth of 5.14%, with its proportion in the total population decreasing by 0.47 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 29,377, a growth of 69.91%, with its proportion in the total population increasing by 0.47 percentage points. Among them, the Zhuang population increased by 19,617, a growth of 62.44%, with its proportion in the total population increasing by 0.31 percentage points.

| Ethnic Group | Han | Zhuang | Yao | Miao | Bouyei | Dong | Mulam | Tujia | Yi | Maonan | Other Ethnic Groups | |------------------|---------|------------|---------|----------|-------------|----------|-----------|-----------|--------|------------|-------------------------| | Population | 5,725,369 | 51,033 | 6,756 | 4,584 | 1,971 | 1,905 | 785 | 723 | 701 | 474 | 2,465 | | Percentage of Total Population (%) | 98.77 | 0.88 | 0.12 | 0.08 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.04 | | Percentage of Minority Population (%) | - | 71.48 | 9.46 | 6.42 | 2.76 | 2.67 | 1.10 | 1.01 | 0.98 | 0.66 | 3.45 |

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10. Culture

10.1 Tourism

The main tourist attractions include Yuntian Folk Culture World (abbreviated as Yuntian Cultural City), the Ancient Jinglüe Tai Zhenwu Pavilion, Fozishan Mountain, Duqiao Mountain, Xielu Mountain Villa, Yanshi Temple, Longquan Cave, Goulou Cave, Shuiyue Cave, Longzhu Lake, Darongshan Forest Park, and Shiyi Wen Pagoda.

• Yuntian Cultural City: This is currently the largest single-building cultural and artistic structure in China in terms of floor area. It is a massive antique-style palace building that integrates condensed forms of traditional Chinese culture from ancient to modern times with renowned distinctive architectural styles, showcasing China's 5,000-year history and culture. It is also a large-scale comprehensive cultural and artistic exhibition hall, allowing visitors to experience the profound depth and extensive breadth of Chinese culture. Official website link: http://www.yuntian-city.com/ (Archived page, stored in the Internet Archive)
• Eight Scenic Spots of Ancient Yulin The widely circulated folk version includes Xī'ōu Pond, Baishi Cave, Shuiyue Cave, Hanshan Mountain, Guabang Mountain, Stone Chamber, Dragon Well, and Nanqiao Ancient Ferry. The poem of the eight scenes is as follows:

The Stone Chamber's immortal trace lies in Yuzhou,
Hanshan's responsive rain awaits your quest.
Within Xī'ōu Pond, dragons appear in view,
In Shuiyue Cave, the Dipper hangs in the celestial nest.
Baishi Cave Heaven, a land for fairy crew,
At Nanqiao Ancient Ferry, carps swim with zest.
From Dragon Spring, flowing rosy waters brew,
Guabang Mountain's collapse foretells six years' unrest.

Another version replaces Guabang Mountain with Fenghuang Ridge. Ming Dynasty magistrate Kuang Yuanle composed the "Ode to the Eight Scenes of Yulin," which includes Ōu Pond's Warm Spring, Baishi Cave Heaven, Fenghuang Ridge's Clear Autumn, Shuiyue Cave's Emptiness, Hanshan's Responsive Rain, Stone Chamber's Immortal Trace, Purple Waters' Flowing Rosy Clouds, and Dragon Bridge's Ancient Ferry.

• New Ten Scenes of Yulin In 2004, the Municipal Tourism Bureau organized the selection of the "Ten Great Landscapes of Yulin." They are: Yuntian's Vast Cosmos (Yuntian Cultural City), Zhenwu's Masterpiece (Rong County Zhenwu Pavilion), Goulou's Cave Heaven (Beiliu Goulou Cave), Duqiao's Sacred Realm (Rong County Duqiao Mountain), Rong Mountain's Layered Verdure (Darongshan National Forest Park), Xielu Mountain Villa (Luchuan Xielu Mountain Villa), Longquan's Auspicious Offering (Xingye Longquan Cave), Yanshi's Danxia (Bobai Yanshi Temple), Hot Springs Bathing in the Sun (Luchuan Jiulong Hot Springs Villa), and Tongshi's Heavenly Seal (Beiliu Tongshi Ridge).

10.1.1 Nationally Designated Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Jinglüe Tai Zhenwu Pavilion
• Modern Architecture in Rong County
• Xielu Mountain Villa

10.2 Resources

• Abundant Labor Resources: The labor force reaches 2.13 million people, with approximately 450,000 laborers sent outside the city annually. The number of laborers with secondary education or above and technical skills reaches 120,000.
• Superior Land Resources: Plains, basins, and valleys account for 17.4% of the city's total area. There are 190,200 hectares of arable land, 278,000 hectares suitable for forestry and orchards, and 103,300 hectares of pastureland. Rich Water Resources: There are 72 rivers within the territory, with an average annual runoff of 13.347 billion cubic meters. The total water resource volume is 15.6 billion cubic meters. There are 474 large, medium, and small reservoirs with a total storage capacity of 1.14 billion cubic meters. Annual water supply from water conservancy projects is 1.54 billion cubic meters. Mineral Resources: Main varieties include kaolin, granite, fluorite, limestone, iron, titanium iron, sulfur, gold, silver, etc. Kaolin reserves rank first in Guangxi. Geothermal Resources: Mainly include Luchuan Hot Springs, Xielu Hot Springs, Shahu Hot Springs, Licun Hot Springs, and Lingshan Hot Springs.
• Mineral Water Resources: Mainly include Chahuashan Mineral Water, Qingwan Mineral Water, Yushi Mineral Water, Lüying Mineral Water, and Huanghuashan Mineral Water.
• Rich Local Specialty Resources: Abundant production of lychee, longan, Rong County Shatian pomelo, mango, banana, citrus, cassia oil, star anise, rosin, garlic, tea, Bobai water spinach (hollow vegetable), Jiedong Chinese cabbage, Liuxiang Chinese cabbage, sugarcane, pineapple, sisal, red mushroom, tea foam, beef jerky (niuba), meat cake, meatballs; Luchuan pig, lion-head goose, Xiayan chicken, Sanhuang chicken, Chenghuang pickled products, etc.

10.3 Specialties

Zhenggu Shui (orthopedic liniment), Yulin Fragrant Garlic, Yulin Beef Jerky (Niuba): China Geographical Indication Products.

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Yuzhou District

Bobai County

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Magnolia tree

Magnolia