Liaoyang (辽阳)

1. Introduction

Liaoyang City, historically known as Xiangping and Liaodongcheng, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China. It is located in the central part of Liaoning Province, along the Taizi River. As a sub-central city of the Shenyang Metropolitan Area and a central city in southern Liaoning, it is designated by the State Council as a modern industrial city primarily focused on the petrochemical industry. It is also an emerging modern base for petrochemical and light textile industries, as well as an outstanding tourist city in China.

Liaoyang is situated in the eastern part of the Liaohe Plain and the western part of the Liaodong Mountains. The eastern part of the city is characterized by mountainous and hilly terrain, while the western part consists of alluvial plains. The Hun River serves as the western boundary river, and the Taizi River flows from east to west through the city. Liaoyang administers 5 districts, 1 county, and 1 county-level city on behalf of the provincial government. It covers a total area of 4,743 square kilometers, with a built-up area of 139.5 square kilometers.

Liaoyang is one of the oldest cities in Northeast China, with a history of over 2,300 years. From the 3rd century BC to the 17th century, it served as the political, economic, and cultural center, transportation hub, and military stronghold of Northeast China. During the Warring States period, Liaoyang was the seat of the Liaodong Commandery of the Yan State, known as Xiangping. In the Tang Dynasty, it briefly became the seat of the Andong Protectorate. In 1621, Nurhaci, the Khan of the Later Jin Dynasty, moved the capital to Liaoyang and built a new city, Dongjingcheng, on the east bank of the Taizi River. In December 2020, Liaoyang was designated as a National Historical and Cultural City.

2. Origin of the Name

The earliest name of Liaoyang was Xiangping, and it has also been known as Changping, Liaodong, Liaozhou, Dongping, Tiefeng, Nanjing, and Dongjing.

The current name "Liaoyang" originated during the Han Dynasty. "(The Xiao Liao) River (the Hun River) flows southwest from Liaoshan and meets the Daliang River (the Taizi River) at Liaoyang County." "North of a river is called 'yang'," and the Han Dynasty's Liaoyang (located at the ancient city site of Ciyutuo Pianbaozi in present-day Liaozhong County) was named Liaoyang because it was situated north of the Xiao Liao River.

3. History

3.1 Warring States Period

According to archaeological excavations, ancient humans had already inhabited Liaoyang during the Paleolithic Age. In the Neolithic Age, two Neolithic cultural sites, Anping and Xiaotun, appeared in Liaoyang. During the Warring States period, the Yan state general Qin Kai attacked the Donghu people, who were decisively defeated. Yan incorporated Liaodong into its territory, establishing five commanderies: Shanggu, Yuyang, Youbeiping, Liaoxi, and Liaodong. Among them, Xiangping served as the seat of Liaodong Commandery. In 228 BC, Qin conquered Zhao and advanced its troops to the Yi River. Crown Prince Dan of Yan sent Jing Ke to assassinate the King of Qin, but the attempt failed. The King of Qin dispatched troops to attack Yan. Crown Prince Dan hid in the Yan River (present-day Taizi River area in Liaoyang) but was executed by King Xi of Yan, who presented his head to the Qin army in an attempt to sue for peace. In 222 BC, Qin captured Liaodong.

3.2 Qin and Han Dynasties

The Qin dynasty divided the country into 36 commanderies, still establishing Liaodong Commandery with its seat at Xiangping. During the Western Han dynasty, Xiangping remained the capital county of Liaodong Commandery. Buddhism began to spread to Liaoyang during the Han dynasty. In the late Eastern Han dynasty, the Liaodong governor Gongsun Du proclaimed himself Marquis of Liaodong and Governor of Pingzhou, designating Xiangping County as the capital of both Pingzhou and Liaodong Commandery. In the first month of 238, Emperor Ming of Wei sent Sima Yi with 40,000 troops to conquer Liaodong. Sima Yi besieged Xiangping for over a month in the rain, and the city fell in August. Gongsun Yuan was executed at the Liang River (i.e., the Taizi River), and all officials, soldiers, and males over 15 years old in Xiangping were killed.

3.3 Wei, Jin, and Sixteen Kingdoms Period

Emperor Wu of Jin established Pingzhou in 274 (the 10th year of the Taishi era). A Pingzhou governor concurrently serving as Commandant of the Eastern Barbarians was appointed, residing in Xiangping. From the 4th century to the early 5th century, Xiangping was successively ruled by the Former Yan, Former Qin, and Later Yan. In the early 5th century, Goguryeo expanded into Liaodong. In the 3rd year of the Yuanxing era of the Eastern Jin dynasty (404 AD), Goguryeo defeated Later Yan, captured Xiangping, and renamed Xiangping City as Liaodong City.

3.4 Tang Dynasty Period

In 645 (the 19th year of the Zhenguan era), Emperor Taizong of Tang personally led a campaign against Goguryeo, capturing Baiyan City (i.e., Yanzhou City) and Liaodong City. He renamed Liaodong City as Liaocheng and established Liaocheng Prefecture. In the 1st year of the Zongzhang era of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (668 AD), the Tang dynasty conquered and destroyed Goguryeo. The Andong Protectorate was established, and its capital was temporarily moved to Liaoyang.

3.5 Liao, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties

At the end of the Tang dynasty, the Khitan people rose in the Liao River basin. In 918 (the 3rd year of the Shence era), Liao Taizu Yelü Abaoji captured Liaodong City. It was renamed Dongping Commandery, and Liaoyang was called Tiefeng City. In the 3rd year of the Tianxian era (928 AD), Liao Taizong Yelü Deguang changed Liaoyang Prefecture to Nanjing, moved the capital of the Dongdan Kingdom to Liaoyang, and built the Dongdan King's Palace (located in the northeastern corner of present-day Liaoyang Old City). In the 1st year of the Huitong era of the Liao dynasty (938 AD), Nanjing was renamed Tokyo, the Tokyo Circuit was established, and Liaoyang Prefecture was set up, making Liaoyang one of the five capitals.

The Jurchen leader Wanyan Aguda established the Jin dynasty in 1115. In May 1116, Jin troops captured Tokyo City. Following the Liao system, Liaoyang remained one of the five capitals. In 1155, Wanyan Yong was appointed as the留守司留守兼府尹 (Garrison Commander and Prefect) of Tokyo. In October 1161, he gathered troops in Liaoyang and declared himself emperor, changing the era name to Dading. He is historically known as Emperor Shizong of Jin. During the Liao and Jin periods, Liaoyang City had already become large-scale. Both dynasties revered Buddhism and constructed many temples in Liaoyang.

In the summer of 1215 (the 3rd year of the Zhenyou era of Jin), the Mongol general Yexian captured Liaoyang City. The Yuan dynasty government established the Liaoyang and Other Areas Branch Secretariat in Liaoyang.

3.6 Ming and Qing Dynasties

In 1371 (the 4th year of the Hongwu era), Ming generals Ma Yun and Ye Wang captured Liaoyang. In the 8th year of Hongwu (1375 AD), the Liaodong Regional Military Commission was established in Liaoyang, serving as the military administrative organ for the entire Northeast.

On the Lunar New Year's Day of 1616, Nurhaci established the Later Jin dynasty in Hetu Ala (present-day Fushun), proclaiming himself Khan with the era name Tianming. In the 6th year of Tianming (1621 AD), Nurhaci captured Shenyang on March 13 and began attacking Liaoyang on March 18. After fierce battles between the Later Jin and Ming armies until the evening of the 21st, Later Jin soldiers infiltrated Liaoyang City, set fires, and detonated the ammunition depot, causing chaos and the collapse of Ming defenses. Ming Liaodong Military Commissioner Yuan Yingtai committed suicide. The Later Jin army occupied Liaoyang.

On April 11 of the 6th year of Tianming, Nurhaci convened an imperial council and decided to move the capital to Liaoyang. In August, Nurhaci constructed a new city on the east bank of the Taizi River, known as Tokyo City. On the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month in the 10th year of Tianming, Nurhaci moved the capital to Shenyang. From then on, Liaoyang's political and economic status began to decline. In the 10th year of the Shunzhi era (1653 AD), the Qing court established Liaoyang Prefecture, governing Liaoyang and Haicheng counties, with both the prefectural and county seats in Liaoyang City. Soon after, the prefectural seat was moved to Shenyang. In the 3rd year of the Kangxi era of the Qing dynasty (1664 AD), Liaoyang County was elevated to Liaoyang Zhou (subprefecture), under the jurisdiction of Fengtian Prefecture.

3.7 Modern and Contemporary Era

After the Opium War, Western powers began entering Liaoyang, with various countries establishing factories and opening mines there. In 1894, the First Sino-Japanese War broke out. In January 1895, Japanese forces launched an attack on Liaoyang but were repelled by Qing army commander Nie Shicheng and local militia forces from Liaoyang. In 1900, the Boxers attacked Russian facilities in Liaoyang. Russian troops suppressed the Boxers, burned down Guangyou Temple, and killed hundreds of civilians.

In 1904, the Russo-Japanese War broke out. Both sides committed large numbers of troops to the Battle of Liaoyang. On September 4 of the same year, Russian forces retreated, and Japanese troops occupied Liaoyang. After the war, Russia transferred the branch line of the Chinese Eastern Railway to Japan. In 1905, Japan converted the railway land into the South Manchuria Railway Zone, forcibly designating the area from the west of Liaoyang Old City's moat to the railway station as a commercial district, and established a consulate in Liaoyang. On November 14, 1905, Japan established the Kwantung Governor's Office and the Manchurian Garrison Division Headquarters in Liaoyang.

After the 1911 Revolution, revolutionaries in Liaoyang staged uprisings in Liu'erpu and Gaolimen but were suppressed by Qing forces and failed. After the abdication of the Xuantong Emperor, the flag of the Republic of China was hoisted in Liaoyang City on March 2. The Republican government changed Liaoyang Zhou to Liaoyang County, under the jurisdiction of Liaoshen Circuit.

After the September 18 Incident in 1931, the Japanese Kwantung Army occupied Liaoyang on September 19 and established a maintenance committee to maintain order. On December 1, 1937, the Manchukuo government merged the urban area of Liaoyang County with the South Manchuria Railway Zone to establish Liaoyang City.

After Japan's unconditional surrender in 1945, Soviet Red Army forces entered Liaoyang on August 21. In September, the Eighth Route Army took over Liaoyang and established the Liaoyang Garrison Command Headquarters. From March 1946 to February 1948, the government of the Republic of China was stationed in Liaoyang. On February 6, 1948, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) captured Liaoyang. On July 15, Nationalist forces recaptured Liaoyang, forcing Communist Party organs to evacuate. On October 30, the PLA gained complete control over the entire territory of Liaoyang. In November 1948, the Communist Party-led Liaoyang Municipal Government was established.[8][7]

In May 1949, Liaoning Province and Andong Province merged to form Liaodong Province, with Liaoyang City belonging to it. Subsequently, the administrative relationship between Liaoyang City and County underwent several adjustments. By 1980, the State Council decided to restore Liaoyang County and establish Dengta County, both under the leadership of Liaoyang City. In June 1978, the Hongwei District of Liaoyang City was established.

4. Geography

4.1 Geographical Location

Liaoyang's geographical coordinates are between 122°35′–123°40′ east longitude and 40°42′–41°36′ north latitude. The total area under the city's jurisdiction is 4,743 square kilometers. The southeastern part of the city lies in the low mountainous and hilly area at the western foot of the Qianshan Mountains, the northeastern part is located in the hilly area at the tail of the Longgang Mountains, and the western part is situated on the eastern edge of the Lower Liaohe Plain, accounting for more than half of the entire area. The whole region lies within the basins of the Hun River and Taizi River. Bounded by the Hun River, it faces Liaozhong District of Shenyang and Tai'an County across the water. The total length of the city's boundary line is 471.8 kilometers.

4.2 Topography and Landforms

Liaoyang City is located in the transitional zone between the low mountains and hills of eastern Liaoning and the Liaohe Plain. It features a complete range of landform types, clear differentiation patterns, typical layered landforms, and well-defined geomorphological divisions. From Baiyun Mountain on the southeastern border to the banks of the boundary river (Hun River) in the northwest, the terrain descends from high to low, transitioning distinctly from medium mountains, low mountains, high hills, low hills, terraces to plains. The elevation drops successively from over 1,000 meters to below 50 meters, forming a gently sloping terrain that is high in the southeast and low in the northwest. Bordering Xiuyan, Fengcheng, and Benxi County, Shuiquan Township within the city is the highest point in the Liaoyang area. Dahei Mountain is the highest peak within the territory, with an elevation of 1,181 meters. The lowest points are Tangmazhai and Mujia Town, bordering Haicheng City, Tai'an County, and Liaozhong County.

4.3 Geology

Liaoyang belongs to the Liaodong Subdivision of the North China Stratigraphic Region. The exposed main strata are relatively complex and can be divided into eight stratigraphic systems from oldest to youngest: Presinian, Cambrian, Ordovician, Carboniferous, Permian, Jurassic, and Quaternary.

The Quaternary strata are a widespread geological phenomenon in the Liaoyang area. In the western region near the Lower Liaohe Plain, the Quaternary strata are primarily fluvial alluvial facies and are highly developed. Their thickness gradually increases from the piedmont area westward. The average stratum thickness in the piedmont area is about 70 meters, gradually increasing to nearly 100 meters near the Shenyang-Dalian Highway area, and reaching about 300 meters at the edge of the Hun River. The Quaternary strata in the eastern mountainous area of Liaoyang are not well-developed, only distributed in strips along the valleys of the Tang River and Lan River. Their genesis mainly includes alluvial, alluvial-proluvial, slope-proluvial, aeolian, and glacial till types.

4.4 Hydrology

The geological, geomorphological, climatic characteristics, and geological structural conditions of the Liaoyang area determine that it is a water-rich region. It serves as the sole water source for the domestic water supply for approximately 2 million urban residents in Liaoyang and Anshan cities, the industrial water for two super-large enterprises, Ansteel and Liaoyang Petrochemical, the irrigation for about 1.5 million mu of farmland in Liaoyang, and the domestic water for 1.2 million rural residents. The Shoushan water source supplies the Anshan area with 230 million cubic meters of groundwater annually. In recent decade, concentrated extraction in localized areas has led to the formation of large-scale regional groundwater depression cones. Therefore, Liaoyang's water resources are becoming increasingly tight.

There are a total of 86 rivers within Liaoyang City with a course length of over 5 kilometers, including 29 rivers over 10 kilometers. The main rivers include the Taizi River, Hun River, Tang River, Xi River, and Beisha River. These rivers form the two major river systems of the Taizi River and the Hun River.

4.5 Climate

Liaoyang is located in the northern hinterland of the Liaodong Peninsula. Its southwestern border is 70 kilometers from the Bohai Sea coast, and its southeastern border is 100 kilometers from the Yellow Sea coast. Its macroclimate is significantly influenced by the ocean, featuring a mild, humid climate with four distinct seasons. Spring warms up quickly, is warm with little rain, features frequent southwestern winds, high evaporation, long sunshine hours, and is prone to spring droughts. Summer is hot and rainy, with prevailing southeastern winds, high humidity, and concentrated precipitation.

The annual average temperature in the Liaoyang area is 8.4°C. The winter average temperature is -8.6°C; the spring average is 9.5°C; the summer average is 23.4°C; and the autumn average is 9.5°C.

The overall trend of annual precipitation distribution in the Liaoyang area is higher in mountainous regions than on the plains, but seasonal precipitation distribution varies. Summer precipitation increases from northwest to southeast, while winter precipitation decreases from south to north. The average annual precipitation is 700–800 mm. The average winter precipitation is 30–40 mm; spring averages 100–110 mm; summer averages 400–500 mm; and autumn averages 160–180 mm.

Average Meteorological Data for Liaoyang City (1981-2010)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|------|------|------|------| | Avg high °C (°F) | -3.9 (25.0) | 0.5 (32.9) | 7.6 (45.7) | 17.4 (63.3) | 23.8 (74.8) | 27.9 (82.2) | 29.3 (84.7) | 28.8 (83.8) | 24.6 (76.3) | 16.9 (62.4) | 6.6 (43.9) | -1.0 (30.2) | 14.9 (58.8) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -10.4 (13.3) | -5.7 (21.7) | 1.9 (35.4) | 11.2 (52.2) | 17.9 (64.2) | 22.5 (72.5) | 24.7 (76.5) | 23.8 (74.8) | 18.0 (64.4) | 10.4 (50.7) | 0.8 (33.4) | -6.9 (19.6) | 9.0 (48.2) | | Avg low °C (°F) | -16.2 (2.8) | -11.5 (11.3) | -3.7 (25.3) | 4.8 (40.6) | 11.8 (53.2) | 17.0 (62.6) | 20.4 (68.7) | 19.2 (66.6) | 12.0 (53.6) | 4.4 (39.9) | -4.4 (24.1) | -12.2 (10.0) | 3.5 (38.2) | | Avg precip mm (inches) | 7.3 (0.29) | 9.3 (0.37) | 18.6 (0.73) | 36.3 (1.43) | 55.7 (2.19) | 94.2 (3.71) | 168.5 (6.63) | 180.3 (7.10) | 71.6 (2.82) | 41.2 (1.62) | 21.3 (0.84) | 10.0 (0.39) | 714.3 (28.12) | | Avg relative humidity (%) | 62 | 56 | 52 | 50 | 54 | 65 | 78 | 79 | 73 | 66 | 63 | 63 | 63 |

5. Administrative Divisions

Liaoyang City currently administers 5 municipal districts, 1 county, and has jurisdiction over 1 county-level city.

• Municipal Districts: Baita District, Wensheng District, Hongwei District, Gongchangling District, Taizihe District
• County-level City: Dengta City
• County: Liaoyang County

The Liaoyang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone is a national-level high-tech industrial development zone established by Liaoyang City and shares offices with Hongwei District.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 211000 | Liaoyang City | Liaoyang Shi | 4,735.78 | 1,604,580 | Baita District | 111000 | 14 | 30 | 6 | 2 | | 211002 | Baita District | Baita Qu | 29.80 | 359,401 | Wensheng Subdistrict | 111000 | 4 | | | | | 211003 | Wensheng District | Wensheng Qu | 295.81 | 160,466 | Dongjingling Subdistrict | 111000 | 2 | 2 | | | | 211004 | Hongwei District | Hongwei Qu | 149.89 | 142,491 | Changzheng Subdistrict | 111000 | 2 | 2 | | | | 211005 | Gongchangling District | Gongchangling Qu | 329.84 | 80,870 | Tanghe Town | 111000 | 2 | 1 | 1 | | | 211011 | Taizihe District | Taizihe Qu | 274.73 | 134,604 | Nanmen Subdistrict, Baita District | 111000 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | 211021 | Liaoyang County | Liaoyang Xian | 2,485.40 | 372,131 | Shoushan Town | 111200 | | 12 | 3 | 2 |

6. Economy

6.1 Primary Industry

Liaoyang is a commercial grain base for China and Liaoning Province, as well as a key region for lean-meat pig and freshwater fish farming. Its agriculture and rural economy are well-developed. The western plains are rich in rice, corn, and freshwater fish, while the eastern mountainous areas are abundant in hawthorn and Nanguo pears. It is also a breeding base for lean-meat pigs and freshwater fish. Development focuses on high-yield, high-quality grain fields, vegetable greenhouses, animal husbandry (cattle, pigs, broilers), forestry and fruit industries, and freshwater aquaculture.

6.2 Secondary Industry

Liaoyang's industrial sectors encompass over ten major industries, including petrochemical fibers, light industry, textiles, metallurgy, chemicals, machinery, electronics, building materials, energy, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. Among these, the chemical fiber industry is one of China's key national bases. Liaoyang Petrochemical Fiber Industrial Company is a large-scale, modern petrochemical fiber conglomerate in China, primarily equipped with imported technology and advanced management systems. Liaoyang hosts China's largest pharmaceutical machinery factory and serves as a national production base for papermaking machinery, industrial paperboard, and ferroalloy plants.

Liaoyang's township enterprises have formed influential groups primarily engaged in mining development, building materials, steel processing, agricultural and sideline product processing, sports shoes, and garment manufacturing. Industries such as steel formwork, woven bags, aluminum profiles, sports shoes, and leather garment processing have significant influence across China.

6.3 Tertiary Industry

6.3.1 Overview

In 2021, Liaoyang's total import and export volume reached $470 million, a decrease of 11.9% from the previous year. Specifically, exports totaled $320 million, down 23.2%, while imports amounted to $140 million, up 32.9%. In RMB terms, the total import and export volume was 3.01 billion yuan, with exports at 2.09 billion yuan and imports at 920 million yuan.

6.3.2 Fur Industry

Liaoyang's Tong'erpu is one of China's three major bases for fur production, processing, and sales, earning the title "Fur Capital." As of 2022, Tong'erpu has established eight fur and leather processing parks covering a total area of 540,000 square meters, employing over 30,000 people in related industries. E-commerce live streaming has also formed a complete industrial chain in Tong'erpu. The town currently has over 1,800 platform hosts and nearly 20,000 people employed in e-commerce-related industries. By the end of 2021, Tong'erpu's fur and leather market sales reached 14.2 billion yuan, of which e-commerce sales accounted for 4.5 billion yuan.

7. Transportation

7.1 Railway

Liaoyang City has a total of 36 dedicated railways and railway sidings, including: 5 dedicated railways and 31 railway sidings; the total track length is 289.33 kilometers. The lines are distributed across seven administrative districts of the city, with goods dispatched to enterprises from Liaoyang Station, Shoushan Station, Dengta Station, Zhangtaizi Station, Xiaotun Station, Anping Station, and Hanling Station.

The Harbin-Dalian High-Speed Railway, Shenyang-Dalian Railway, and Liaoyang-Xiuyan Railway pass through Liaoyang Station.

7.2 Highway

• G15 Shenyang-Haikou Expressway (formerly known as Shenyang-Dalian Expressway) passes through the area, with four exits at Dengta, Liaoyang North, Liaoyang, and Liaoyang County, as well as the Jingquan Service Area.
• G91 Central Liaoning Ring Expressway (formerly known as Benxi-Liaoyang-Liaozhong Expressway) passes through the area, with five exits including Gongchangling, Liaoyang South, and Shoushan.
• National Highway 202 passes through the area. (Locally known as the "West Road")
• Provincial Highway 101 Shenyang-Yingkou Line (locally known as the "East Road") and Provincial Highway 102 Shenyang Ring Line pass through the area.

The Liaoyang City Long-Distance Passenger Transport Terminal is located at No. 3, Section 1, Zhonghua Street, Baita District, with operational routes to Tonghua, Panshi, Beijing, Chifeng, Jinan, Tianjin, Changchun, Dandong, Fuxin, Liaozhong, and other places.

As of the end of 2021, Liaoyang City had 3,944.835 kilometers of roads at various levels (including 2.923 kilometers of urban management sections). Among these, there are 3 expressways, 1 national highway, 10 provincial highways, 24 county roads, 192 township roads, 6 dedicated roads, and 965 village roads.

7.3 Aviation

The railway station in Liaoyang City is approximately 60 km from Shenyang Taoxian International Airport.

8. Education

8.1 Overview

Liaoyang is one of the earliest cities in Northeast China to establish educational institutions. Both government-run and private education have flourished here. A notable example is the "Xiangping Academy" from the Qing Dynasty, which, along with the Cuisheng Academy and the Yingang Academy, is known as one of the three major academies in Northeast China. Currently, the city has a total of 726 schools (including kindergartens), with 194,593 students enrolled and 20,075 teaching and administrative staff.

8.2 Basic Education

The city has a total of 716 schools (including kindergartens) at the basic education level:

• Preschool Education: There are 528 kindergartens, including 304 in urban areas, 11 in towns, and 109 in rural areas.
• Compulsory Education: There are 170 schools, including 107 primary schools, 63 junior high schools, and 25 nine-year consistent schools.
• High School Education: There are 13 schools, including 1 complete secondary school, 11 senior high schools, and 1 twelve-year consistent school. Six of these high schools are provincial-level model schools.
• Special Education: There are 4 special education schools, including 3 in urban areas and 1 in a town.
• Reformatory School: There is 1 reformatory school.

8.3 Vocational Education

The city has a total of 10 vocational colleges (secondary and higher):

• Higher Vocational Colleges: 2 institutions (Liaoning Vocational College of Construction and Liaoyang Vocational College), with 22,000 students enrolled, 1,322 teaching and administrative staff, and 1,200 full-time teachers. They offer 88 majors across 22 departments.
• Secondary Vocational Schools: 8 institutions (including Liaoning Electromechanical School, Liaoyang Technician College, Liaoyang Health School, Liaoyang No.1 Vocational School, Liaoyang No.1 Vocational School, Liaoyang County, and Dengta City), along with 1 private vocational school (Jinhua Vocational High School). These schools offer 60 majors, 19 of which are provincial-level model majors.

8.4 Higher Education Institutions

Higher Education Institutions in Liaoyang:

• Liaoning University (Wusheng Campus)
• Shenyang University of Technology (Liaoyang Campus)
• Liaoyang Vocational College
• Liaoning Vocational College of Construction
• Liaoning Radio and Television University (Liaoyang Campus)

9. Population

9.1 Overview

At the end of 2022, the city's total registered population was 1.701 million, a decrease of 11,000 from the end of the previous year. Among the total registered population, the urban population was 754,000, and the rural population was 947,000; the male population was 850,000, and the female population was 851,000.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's resident population was 1,604,580. Compared with the 1,858,768 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the total decrease over ten years was 254,188 people, a decline of 13.68%, with an average annual growth rate of -1.46%. Among them, the male population was 800,602, accounting for 49.89% of the total population; the female population was 803,978, accounting for 50.11% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 99.58. The population aged 0–14 was 157,689, accounting for 9.83% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 999,107, accounting for 62.27% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 447,784, accounting for 27.91% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 312,262, accounting for 19.46% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 1,071,626, accounting for 66.79% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 532,954, accounting for 33.21% of the total population.

9. Ethnic Groups

Data from the Fourth National Population Census show that the Han ethnic group accounts for 99.5% of the total population in Liaoyang City, while ethnic minorities account for 0.05%. Liaoyang City has a total of 27 ethnic groups, with a population of 1,721,211. Among them, the Han ethnic group has 1,596,219 people, accounting for 92.74%; 26 ethnic minorities have 124,976 people, accounting for 7.26%. Among these, the Manchu population is 105,959, accounting for 6.16% of the total population; the Hui population is 7,938, accounting for 0.46%; the Korean population is 6,024, accounting for 0.35%; the Mongolian population is 2,331, accounting for 0.13%; the Xibe population is 1,823, accounting for 0.11%. Other ethnic groups include: Tibetan (391 people), Zhuang (196 people), Tujia (67 people), Miao (66 people), Yao (45 people), Yi (28 people), Gaoshan (15 people), Russian (14 people), Dong (14 people), Hani (11 people), Bai (9 people), [Unspecified] (8 people), Shui (7 people), Buyei (6 people), Naxi (5 people), Jingpo (5 people), Dai (4 people), Ewenki (4 people), Daur (3 people), Uyghur (2 people), and Oroqen (1 person). These ethnic groups together account for 0.05% of the total population. The distribution of ethnic minorities is as follows: Baita District (10,068 people), Wensheng District (9,112 people), Hongwei District (5,628 people), Gongchangling District (2,906 people), Taizihe District (10,487 people), Liaoyang County (54,282 people), and Dengta City (34,439 people).

Ethnic minorities in Liaoyang with populations exceeding one thousand include the Manchu, Hui, Korean, Mongolian, and Xibe groups. Ethnic minority associations were established for these groups in 1989. The city has established 3 ethnic minority townships and 19 ethnic minority villages.

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10. Culture

10.1 Cuisine

Liaoyang's cuisine is primarily based on Liaoning cuisine. Liaoning cuisine originated in the early Qing Dynasty, evolving from a foundation that includes Shandong's Lu cuisine and official mansion cuisine. It incorporates the regional characteristics of Northeast China and the dietary habits of the local people. The Xihaixing Restaurant, founded during the Republic of China period, is a representative of Liaoyang's culinary scene. Its signature dishes include Braised Large Yellow Croaker with Sauce, Iced Crispy Pork, Four-Joy Meatballs, Double-Cooked Pork Slices, Pork with Pickled Cabbage, and Deep-Fried Small Hairtail. Among these, the century-old Stewed Small Bowl was recognized as a Liaoyang Famous Dish at the first Xiangping Cultural Food Festival. The "Four Plates and Eight Bowls Flowing Banquet" is celebrated as a Liaoyang Famous Banquet.

10.2 Cultural Venues

Major public cultural venues in Liaoyang City:

• Liaoyang Museum
• Liaoyang Art Gallery
• Liaoyang Folk Museum
• Liaoyang Grand Theatre
• Liaoyang City Library
• Cao Xueqin Memorial Hall

10.3 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Liaoyang Mural Tomb Complex
• Liaoyang White Pagoda
• Yanzhou Mountain City Fortress
• Jiangguantun Kiln Site
• Site of Dongjing City
• Liaoyang Nursery Han Dynasty Tomb Complex
• Dongjing Mausoleums

11. Sister Cities

• Cergy-Pontoise, France

• Joliet, United States

• Kemerovo, Russia

• Nam District, Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea

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Wensheng District

Liaoyang County

Han Chinese account for 99.5% of the total population, while ethnic minorities make up 0.05% of the total population.

Sophora japonica

Rose