Baiyin (白银)

1. Introduction

Baiyin City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Gansu Province, People's Republic of China, located in the central part of Gansu Province, along the upper reaches of the Yellow River. The city borders Wuwei City and Lanzhou City to the west, Dingxi City and Pingliang City to the south, Guyuan City and Zhongwei City of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to the east, and the Alxa League of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the north. Situated in the northwestern part of the Loess Plateau and on the eastern edge of the Qilian Mountains, its northern area lies on the fringe of the Tengger Desert. The topography primarily consists of river valleys, basins, and oases interspersed throughout. The Yellow River enters from the west, flowing in an S-shape across the city toward the north. The total area of the region is 21,200 square kilometers, with a permanent population of 1.503 million. In 2022, the city's gross regional product amounted to 63.553 billion yuan. The municipal government is located in Baiyin District. During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, an official mining institution named "Baiyin Factory" was established here, from which the name Baiyin originates. Baiyin is an important base for non-ferrous metal production and is notably recognized for its significant copper ore reserves and mining activities nationwide, earning it the nickname "Copper City."

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2. History

2.1 From Ancient Times to the Northern and Southern Dynasties

From ancient times to the Qin Dynasty, the region was successively inhabited by the Qiangrong, Yuezhi, and Xiongnu peoples. In the 33rd year of Qin Shi Huang's reign (214 BC), General Meng Tian led troops to attack the Xiongnu and recaptured the area south of the Yellow River. In the 3rd year of the Yuanding era of the Western Han Dynasty (114 BC), Anding Commandery was established, with Zuli and Chunyin counties located within the area of present-day Baiyin City. In the 6th year of the Yuanding era (111 BC), Aowei County was established in the region, belonging to Wuwei Commandery. After the Han Dynasty opened the Silk Road, the area became a key stronghold along the route. In the 4th year of the Xianhe era of the Jin Dynasty (329 AD), Shi Le destroyed the Former Zhao and established Longdong Commandery here. In the 1st year of the Taiyuan era (376 AD), the Former Qin destroyed the Former Liang and established Pingliang Commandery, which subsequently belonged to the Later Qin, Southern Liang, and Great Xia.

In the 5th year of the Yuanjia era of the Liu Song Dynasty during the Southern Dynasties (428 AD), the Northern Wei captured the Great Xia emperor Helian Chang at Anding. His brother, Helian Ding, gathered the remaining forces of Great Xia and fled to Pingliang, where he declared himself emperor. In the 7th year of the Yuanjia era (430 AD), the Northern Wei captured Pingliang. In the 13th year of the Datong era of the Western Wei (548 AD), Huizhou was established in the area of Chunyin County. In the 2nd year of the Baoding era of the Northern Zhou (562 AD), the seat of Huizhou was moved to Mingsha (present-day Zhongwei County, Ningxia), and Huizhou was renamed Huining Defense. The following year, Wulan County was established in the former territory of Zuli County.

2.2 From the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the Northern Song Dynasty

In the 2nd year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty (606 AD), Huining County was renamed Liangchuan County, and Huining Commandery was established with its seat at Liangchuan. In the 2nd year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (619 AD), Huining Commandery was renamed Western Huizhou, and Liangchuan County was renamed Huining County. In the 6th year of the Zhenguan era (632 AD), Huizhou at Mingsha was abolished, and Western Huizhou was renamed Huizhou. In the 4th year of the Kaiyuan era (716 AD), Liangchuan County was separately established in the former territory of Zuli County, and the seat of Huizhou was moved here. In the 1st year of the Guangde era (763 AD), the Tibetan Empire occupied Huizhou. In the 2nd year of the Yongxi era of the Northern Song Dynasty (985 AD), the Tangut leader Li Jiqian captured Huizhou. In the 1st year of the Mingdao era (1032 AD), the Western Xia defeated the Tibetan forces. In the 4th year of the Yuanfeng era (1082 AD), the Song Dynasty launched a major campaign against the Western Xia, and the region became the front line between the two armies. In the 2nd year of the Yuanfu era (1099 AD), the Song built Huizhou City (present-day Jingyuan County) and, a hundred li to the southwest, constructed a new fort for Huizhou named Huichuan City. In the 4th year of the Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1130 AD), Huizhou was seized by the Jin Dynasty. The area east of the Yellow River belonged to Jin, while the area west belonged to Western Xia.

2.3 From the Jin Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty

In the 12th year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty (1172 AD), the seat of Huizhou, Fuchuan County, was renamed Baochuan County. In the 22nd year (1182 AD), Xining County was established in present-day Zhaisuo Township, Huining. In the 4th year of the Zhenyou era (1216 AD), Xining County was elevated to Xining Prefecture. In the 4th year of the Xingding era (1220 AD), Western Xia occupied Huizhou. In the 4th year of the Zhengda era (1227 AD), the Mongol army destroyed Western Xia and captured Xining Prefecture. In the 8th year of Ögedei Khan's reign (1236 AD), the Mongol army captured Huizhou City. During the Yuan Dynasty, the new Huizhou was abandoned, and the prefectural seat was moved to Xining County. In the 7th year of the Zhiyuan era (1270 AD), Xining County was merged into Huizhou, which administered the territory east of the Yellow River. The area west of the Yellow River belonged to Yingli Prefecture of Ningxia Fu, later subordinated to Yongchang Circuit of Gansu Province. In the 12th year of the Zhizheng era (1352 AD), Huizhou was renamed Huining Prefecture.

2.4 Ming and Qing Dynasties

In the 10th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1377 AD), Huining Prefecture was downgraded to Huining County, with the county seat moved to present-day Huining County town, subordinate to Gongchang Fu. In the 2nd year of the Zhengtong era (1437 AD), Jinglu Guard was established at the site of present-day Jingyuan County town. During the mid-Ming period, the area west of the Yellow River was inhabited by Mongol Tatar tribes. In the 26th year of the Wanli era (1598 AD), Ming forces were dispatched west of the river to expel the various Tatar tribes. The territory of Jingtai County was divided between Jinglu Guard and Lin Tao Fu.

According to historical records, the mining of silver deposits in Baiyin began in the Han Dynasty. During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, "south of Song Mountain, there were twenty mining furnaces," and "gold was produced daily by the dou and sold in Jincheng." A specialized mining agency named "Baiyin Chang" (Silver Works) was established in the present-day urban area, from which Baiyin City derives its name.

In the 1st year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1644 AD), Jinglu Guard was renamed Jingyuan Guard (later Jingyuan County). Huining County and Jingyuan Guard belonged to Gongchang Fu. In the 3rd year of the Qianlong era (1738 AD), Jingyuan County was transferred to Lanzhou Fu. In the 22nd year of the Qianlong era (1757 AD), Honghua Sub-county was established. In the 2nd year of the Republic of China, Honghua Sub-county was elevated to Hongshui County, which, together with Jingyuan and Huining counties, was placed under Lanshan Dao.

2.5 Modern Era

In the 16th year of the Republic of China (1927 AD), the three counties were directly administered by Gansu Province. In the 22nd year of the Republic of China (1933 AD), Jingtai County was established. In October 1936, the First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army converged at Huining, marking the end of the Long March.

In 1949, Huining and Jingyuan were placed under the Dingxi Commissioner's Office, while Jingtai County was placed under the Wuwei Commissioner's Office. On February 21, 1953, Xinhua News Agency publicly reported the "discovery of a large copper deposit at Baiyin Chang in Gaolan County, Gansu Province." Baiyin Chang was a place name inherited from the Ming Dynasty. On September 28, 1954, the "Baiyin Chang Nonferrous Metals Company" was formally established. In October 1954, the "Haojiachuan Construction Committee" (of a governmental nature) was established. In 1956, Jingtai County was transferred to the Dingxi Commissioner's Office. On May 3, 1956, the Central Government approved the Gansu Provincial Committee's proposal to establish the Baiyin Municipal Committee and the Baiyin Municipal People's Committee. In June 1956, the county-level Baiyin City was established. In April 1958, Baiyin was elevated to a prefecture-level city, and Jingtai County was merged into Gaolan County. In November, Baiyin City was placed under the administration of the Dingxi Commissioner's Office. In December, Gaolan County was abolished. In November 1960, Jingyuan County was transferred to Baiyin City. In December 1961, Gaolan and Jingtai counties were restored and placed under Baiyin City. In November 1962, the Baiyin City Suburban District was established. In October 1963, Baiyin City was abolished and replaced by the Baiyin District of Lanzhou City. Jingyuan County was transferred to the Dingxi Prefecture, Jingtai County to the Wuwei Prefecture, and Gaolan County to Lanzhou City.

In August 1985, Baiyin City was restored, and Pingchuan District was carved out from Jingyuan County. Since then, Baiyin City has administered the Baiyin and Pingchuan districts, as well as Jingyuan, Huining, and Jingtai counties.

3. Geography

Baiyin City is situated in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, located in the transitional zone of three major regions: the Longxi Loess Plateau, the eastern extension of the Qilian Mountains, and the Tengger Desert. The terrain is generally high in the north and south and low in the middle, with elevations ranging between 1,275 and 3,321 meters. The Yellow River flows through Baiyin for 258 kilometers, accounting for 52% of its total length within Gansu Province. The river course within the city features a steep gradient and numerous gorges.

The eastern extension of the Qilian Mountains stretches southeastward within the city's jurisdiction. Starting from the northwest are the Shoulu Mountain (Laohu Mountain) and Mijia Mountain in Jingtai County. After crossing the Yellow River, the mountains forming the boundary between Jingyuan County and Pingchuan District are the Hasi Mountain, Jiakui Mountain, Shuiquan Jian Mountain, and Kala Mountain. Further along are Beinan Spring and Huangjiawa Mountain, extending to the Xihua Mountain and Liupan Mountain within the Ningxia region.

3.1 Climate

Baiyin has a temperate arid to semi-arid climate with strong continental characteristics.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------| | Avg high °C | 0.6 | 4.8 | 10.6 | 17.7 | 22.8 | 26.4 | 28.5 | 27.1 | 21.9 | 15.5 | 8.5 | 2.1 | 15.5 | | （°F） | -33.1 | -40.6 | -51.1 | -63.9 | -73 | -79.5 | -83.3 | -80.8 | -71.4 | -59.9 | -47.3 | -35.8 | -60 | | Daily mean °C | −6.2 | −2.5 | 3.9 | 10.8 | 16.1 | 20.1 | 22 | 20.5 | 15.6 | 9 | 1.5 | −4.8 | 8.8 | | （°F） | -20.8 | -27.5 | -39 | -51.4 | -61 | -68.2 | -71.6 | -68.9 | -60.1 | -48.2 | -34.7 | -23.4 | -47.9 | | Avg low °C | −11.2 | −7.3 | −1.6 | 4.5 | 9.6 | 13.8 | 16 | 14.8 | 10.4 | 3.8 | −3.7 | −9.7 | 3.3 | | （°F） | -11.8 | -18.9 | -29.1 | -40.1 | -49.3 | -56.8 | -60.8 | -58.6 | -50.7 | -38.8 | -25.3 | -14.5 | -37.9 | | Avg precip. mm| 1.5 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 8.4 | 21.3 | 31.5 | 39.9 | 42.6 | 27.1 | 13.4 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 191.7 | | （inches） | -0.06 | -0.04 | -0.13 | -0.33 | -0.84 | -1.24 | -1.57 | -1.68 | -1.07 | -0.53 | -0.05 | -0.02 | -7.56 | | Avg humidity %| 50 | 45 | 43 | 40 | 42 | 47 | 54 | 58 | 61 | 59 | 52 | 51 | 50 |

3.2 Resources

Baiyin is a nationally renowned production base for non-ferrous metals. Its mineral resources include metallic minerals such as copper, lead, zinc, gold, and silver, as well as non-metallic minerals like sulfur, coal, gypsum, limestone, mirabilite, and fluorite.

4. Administrative Divisions

Baiyin City administers 2 districts and 3 counties.

Districts: Baiyin District, Pingchuan District Counties: Jingyuan County, Huining County, Jingtai County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 620400 | Baiyin City | Báiyín Shì | 20,098.54 | 1,512,110 | Baiyin District | 730900 | 9 | 53 | 16 | 1 | | 620402 | Baiyin District | Báiyín Qū | 1,349.96 | 337,645 | Renminlu Subdistrict | 730900 | 5 | 3 | 2 | | | 620403 | Pingchuan District | Píngchuān Qū | 1,992.67 | 200,869 | Xingpinglu Subdistrict | 730900 | 4 | 5 | 2 | | | 620421 | Jingyuan County | Jìngyuǎn Xiàn | 5,614.06 | 373,050 | Wulan Town | 730600 | | 13 | 5 | | | 620422 | Huining County | Huìníng Xiàn | 5,656.64 | 401,581 | Huishi Town | 730700 | | 24 | 4 | 1 | | 620423 | Jingtai County | Jǐngtài Xiàn | 5,485.21 | 198,965 | Yitiaoshan Town | 730400 | | 8 | 3 | |

5. Economy

In 2022, the city's regional GDP reached 63.553 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.6%. Specifically: the added value of the primary industry was 11.646 billion yuan, up by 6.0%; the added value of the secondary industry was 25.128 billion yuan, up by 5.4%; and the added value of the tertiary industry was 26.78 billion yuan, up by 5.6%. The proportion of the added value of the primary industry to the regional GDP was 18.32%, that of the secondary industry was 39.54%, and that of the tertiary industry was 42.14%. Calculated based on the resident population, the per capita regional GDP for the year was 42,297 yuan, an increase of 5.8% over the previous year; the added value of industries above designated size grew by 5.1%; fixed asset investment increased by 12.5%; the total retail sales of consumer goods amounted to 19.75 billion yuan; general public budget revenue was 3.253 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 0.16% on a comparable basis; the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents reached 37,187 yuan and 12,733 yuan, respectively, with growth rates of 4.5% and 7.2%.

6. Transportation

National Highways G109, G341, G247, G309, G312, G338, and G341 pass through the area. Expressways: G6 Beijing–Lhasa Expressway, G22 Qingdao–Lanzhou Expressway. Provincial Highways S217 and S209 pass through the area. Railways: The Zhongwei–Lanzhou High-Speed Railway, as well as the Baotou–Lanzhou Railway and Ganwu Railway, traverse the region. Major railway stations include Baiyin South Station, Baiyin West Station, Changzheng Station, Pingchuan West Station, and Jingyuan North Station. It is 46 kilometers from Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport, with T1 and T2 terminals reachable within one hour via National Highway G341.

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7. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's resident population was 1,512,110. Compared with the 1,708,752 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a decrease of 196,642 people over the past ten years, a decline of 11.51%, with an average annual growth rate of -1.22%. Among them, the male population was 770,844, accounting for 50.98% of the total population; the female population was 741,266, accounting for 49.02% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 103.99. The population aged 0–14 was 285,816, accounting for 18.9% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 938,550, accounting for 62.07% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 287,744, accounting for 19.03% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 211,097, accounting for 13.96% of the total population. The urban population was 855,268, accounting for 56.56% of the total population; the rural population was 656,842, accounting for 43.44% of the total population.

7.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 1,483,740, accounting for 98.12%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 28,370, accounting for 1.88%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population decreased by 199,647, a decline of 11.86%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.39 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 3,005, a growth of 11.85%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.39 percentage points.

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8. Culture

Baiyin City is located in the central part of Gansu Province and is a city with a long history and profound cultural heritage.

1. Historical Culture
   Baiyin City possesses rich historical and cultural resources and is one of the important nodes along the Silk Road. It witnessed the prosperity and exchange of ancient civilizations, leaving behind numerous historical relics such as the Zhanyin Ancient City Ruins, the Pingchuan Section of the Ming Great Wall, and the Yellow River Stone Forest. Additionally, Baiyin City has a glorious revolutionary tradition. The First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies of the Red Army once converged here, leaving behind significant red cultural heritage sites.

2. Intangible Cultural Heritage
   Baiyin City boasts a wide variety of intangible cultural heritage, covering folk music, dance, fine arts, handicrafts, folk performing arts, and traditional opera. For example, the Yellow River War Drum, Jingtai Taoist Music, the art of Guqin performance, and Baiyin folk songs are all representative intangible cultural heritage projects. Baiyin City has also established a four-tier intangible cultural heritage list system, including national, provincial, municipal, and county-level projects.

3. Cultural Activities and Cultural-Tourism Integration
   In recent years, Baiyin City has further enriched the cultural lives of its residents and tourists by organizing various cultural activities and promoting the integration of culture and tourism. For instance, the situational drama "Above the Yellow River · Colorful Baiyin," natural sightseeing at the Yellow River Stone Forest Geological Park, and various artistic performances and study tours have attracted a large number of participants. Additionally, Baiyin City actively develops the nighttime economy, launching immersive dramas, musicals, and other nighttime cultural and artistic projects.

4. Public Cultural Services
   Baiyin City has basically established a public cultural service system covering the entire city, including facilities such as museums, cultural centers, libraries, and art galleries. However, there is still a gap in the construction of public cultural service facilities between urban and rural areas. Urban communities have relatively well-developed public cultural facilities, while rural areas have lower coverage rates.

5. Cultural Tourism Resources
   Baiyin City boasts rich and diverse tourism resources, including natural landscapes such as the Yellow River Stone Forest and Jingyuan Ancient City, as well as cultural attractions like the Great Buddha Temple and cave temples. Furthermore, Baiyin City has launched multiple tourism routes, including Yellow River Scenery Tours, Red Education Tours, Industrial Heritage Tours, and Rural Leisure Tours.

6. Cultural Industry Development
   The cultural industry in Baiyin City has developed rapidly in recent years, with the total output of the cultural industry continuously growing. It has formed multiple sectors, including cultural entertainment, artistic performances, and books and periodicals. Through deepening the reform of the cultural system and increasing investment, the municipal government is promoting the cultural industry as a new economic growth point.

7. Cultural Protection and Inheritance
   Baiyin City has achieved certain results in the protection of cultural heritage, but there is still a need to further improve the level of cultural relic protection and utilization. For example, the protection of important sites such as the Huishi (Convergence) Site and Yongtai City Site still needs to be strengthened. At the same time, Baiyin City is actively exploring and inheriting local characteristic cultures, such as traditional arts like shadow puppetry and paper-cutting.

9. Sister Cities or Countries

• Mexico: Tijuana, Baja California
• United States: Ponca City
• Kazakhstan: Shymkent
• Belarus: Brest
• Hungary: Kiskunfélegyháza

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The Ming Dynasty established the "Silver Factory" here, hence the name.

Baiyin District

Baiyin District

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Sophora japonica

Lilac