Langfang (廊坊)

1. Introduction

Langfang City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Hebei Province, People's Republic of China, located in the central part of Hebei Province. The city borders Beijing to the north, Tianjin to the east, Cangzhou to the south, and Baoding to the west. Situated in the north-central part of the North China Plain, at the southern foothills of the Yanshan Mountains and in the middle and lower reaches of the Haihe River Basin, its southern part lies within the Heilonggang River Basin. Rivers such as the Ziya River, Yongding River, and Daqing River flow through the area. The city's territory is divided into two non-contiguous parts by the municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin, making it the largest inter-provincial enclave in China. The People's Government of Langfang is located at No. 230 Guangyang Road, Guangyang District.

Langfang lies between the two major municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin, in the heart of the Bohai Rim Economic Zone. It is approximately 40 kilometers from downtown Beijing and 60 kilometers from downtown Tianjin, with distances of about 70 kilometers to Beijing Capital International Airport and 100 kilometers to Tianjin Port. The city is positioned as an important regional central city within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration. On March 26, 2014, the "Opinions of the Hebei Provincial Committee and Provincial Government on Promoting New Urbanization" were issued, emphasizing the implementation of Langfang's role in supporting the decentralization of Beijing's non-capital functions and the ecological construction of the capital's core area. The city aims to develop into an ecologically livable city focused on high-tech industries and modern services.

2. Origin of the Name

The origin of the name "Langfang" has two explanations: one suggests that Langfang was originally named Langfa, derived from the Langfa Temple in the village. The other explanation relates to Lü Duan, a prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, who was a native of Anci. His father, Lü Zhi, served as a Shilang (a high-ranking official), and his residence in Anci County was referred to as "Shilang Fang," abbreviated as "Langfang."

When the Jing-Shan Railway established a station, the station name was written as "Langfang." After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the spelling was standardized as "Langfang."

3. History

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the area now under the jurisdiction of Langfang City was part of the Yan State's territory. In the Qin Dynasty, it belonged to Yuyang Commandery, Guangyang Commandery, and Julu Commandery. During the Western Han, Eastern Han, and Three Kingdoms periods, it was part of Youzhou. In the Tang Dynasty, it was under the administration of Youzhou, Jizhou, and Yingzhou. During the Song and Liao Dynasties, it was part of Hebei East Circuit and the Nanjing Circuit, becoming a contested region between the two powers. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was under the Zhongshu Sheng, and in the Ming Dynasty, it was part of Shuntian Prefecture.

In the Qing Dynasty, the area of present-day Langfang City was under Zhili Shuntian Prefecture. Before the construction of the Beijing-Shanhaiguan Railway, Langfang was merely a small village within Dong'an County. In 1897, the Beijing-Shanhaiguan Railway established "Langfang Station" in Langfang Village. After the railway opened, Langfang gradually developed into a market town. In June 1900, during the Battle of the Eight-Nation Alliance, forces led by Seymour advanced by train from Tianjin toward Beijing. When they reached the vicinity of Langfang Station, they were attacked by the Boxers and the Gansu Army. The allied forces were forced to retreat to the Tianjin Concessions. This battle is known as the Langfang Victory.

After the establishment of the Republic of China, the area of present-day Langfang City was part of the Capital Special District. In 1914, to avoid duplication with Dong'an County in Hunan Province, Dong'an County, where Langfang was located, was renamed Anci County.

In early 1949, Langfang Town was established under Anci County, Tianjin Prefecture, Hebei Province. In 1950, to avoid flooding, the seat of Anci County was moved to Langfang Town, making Langfang Town a county-level administrative center. In 1958, Langfang Town was merged into Langfang Commune. In December of the same year, Anci County was abolished and merged into Wuqing County, and Tianjin Prefecture was dissolved, with its subordinate counties placed under the leadership of Tianjin City. In May 1961, Tianjin Prefecture was restored, and in July, Anci County was reestablished. In 1965, Langfang Town was reestablished under Anci County.

In November 1967, Tianjin Prefecture was renamed Tianjin District. In March 1969, the Tianjin District Revolutionary Committee moved from Tianjin City to Langfang Town (originally, the Tianjin District Administrative Office was located in the Shi Family Compound in Yangliuqing Town, now the Yangliuqing Museum, before the office moved to Tianjin City). This marked the beginning of Langfang's role as a prefecture-level administrative center. In July 1973, Tianjin District transferred five counties—Jixian, Baodi, Wuqing, Jinghai, and Ninghe—to Tianjin City's jurisdiction. In January 1974, Tianjin District was renamed Langfang District. The administrative concept of "Tianjin Prefecture" or "Tianjin District" surrounding the municipality of Tianjin in Hebei Province thus became history. Since then, the region has retained the name Langfang.

In December 1981, Langfang Town was elevated to a county-level city. In March 1983, Anci County was abolished and merged into Langfang City. In 1989, Langfang District and Langfang City were merged, abolishing the county-level Langfang City and establishing the county-level Anci District. After the merger of the district and city, the prefecture-level Langfang City was established. In 2000, part of Anci District was separated to establish the county-level Guangyang District.

4. Geography

4.1 Climate

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |------------------|-----------|-----------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|-----------|-----------|------------|------------| | Avg. High °C | 1.8 | 5.7 | 12.5 | 21.0 | 26.9 | 30.9 | 31.6 | 30.4 | 26.6 | 19.8 | 10.2 | 3.6 | 18.4 | | Avg. High °F | 35.2 | 42.3 | 54.5 | 69.8 | 80.4 | 87.6 | 88.9 | 86.7 | 79.9 | 67.6 | 50.4 | 38.5 | 65.2 | | Daily Mean °C | -4.1 | -0.5 | 6.0 | 14.3 | 20.3 | 24.6 | 26.5 | 25.2 | 20.2 | 13.2 | 4.3 | -1.9 | 12.3 | | Daily Mean °F | 24.6 | 31.1 | 42.8 | 57.7 | 68.5 | 76.3 | 79.7 | 77.4 | 68.4 | 55.8 | 39.7 | 28.6 | 54.2 | | Avg. Low °C | -8.8 | -5.5 | 0.5 | 8.1 | 13.9 | 18.9 | 22.1 | 21.0 | 15.1 | 7.8 | -0.5 | -6.3 | 7.2 | | Avg. Low °F | 16.2 | 22.1 | 32.9 | 46.6 | 57.0 | 66.0 | 71.8 | 69.8 | 59.2 | 46.0 | 31.1 | 20.7 | 44.9 | | Avg. Precipitation mm | 3.3 | 4.4 | 9.2 | 22.4 | 32.4 | 69.9 | 146.1 | 139.3 | 47.6 | 25.4 | 11.1 | 2.5 | 513.6 | | Avg. Precipitation inches | 0.13 | 0.17 | 0.36 | 0.88 | 1.28 | 2.75 | 5.75 | 5.48 | 1.87 | 1.00 | 0.44 | 0.10 | 20.21 | | Avg. Relative Humidity (%) | 51 | 49 | 48 | 49 | 56 | 63 | 76 | 79 | 72 | 64 | 60 | 55 | 60 |

4.2 Mineral Resources

The main mineral resources in Langfang City include coal, petroleum, natural gas, and geothermal water. Coal resources are primarily distributed in Dacheng County. According to a 2006 survey by the Hebei Coalfield Geology Bureau, Dacheng County has coal reserves of 19.01 billion tons and coalbed methane reserves of 205.19 billion cubic meters. Petroleum and natural gas resources are concentrated in Anci District, Yongqing County, Gu'an County, Bazhou City, and Wen'an County, with proven petroleum reserves of 200 million tons and natural gas reserves of 18.6 billion cubic meters.

5. Administrative Divisions

Langfang City currently administers 2 municipal districts, 5 counties, 1 autonomous county, and oversees 2 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Anci District, Guangyang District
• County-level Cities: Bazhou City, Sanhe City
• Counties: Gu'an County, Yongqing County, Xianghe County, Dacheng County, Wen'an County
• Autonomous County: Dachang Hui Autonomous County

Among them, Sanhe City, Xianghe County, and Dachang County are sandwiched between Beijing and Tianjin and are not physically connected to the main part of Langfang City. They are often referred to as the "Northern Three Counties" in Beijing, Tianjin, and Langfang. Together, the Northern Three Counties form the largest inter-provincial enclave in China.

Additionally, Langfang City has established the following economic management zones: the National-level Langfang Economic and Technological Development Zone and the National-level Yanjiao High-tech Industrial Development Zone.

| Division Code | Division Name | Hanyu Pinyin | Area (km²) | Permanent Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|-----------------------------|--------------------------|----------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|----------------------| | 131000 | Langfang City | Lángfáng Shì | 6,413.38 | 5,464,087 | Guangyang District | 065000 | 17 | 72 | 18 | 2 | | 131002 | Anci District | Āncì Qū | 578.40 | 479,826 | Yinhe North Road Subdistrict | 065000 | 3 | 4 | 4 | | | 131003 | Guangyang District | Guǎngyáng Qū | 383.85 | 667,765 | Jiefangdao Subdistrict | 065000 | 7 | 3 | 1 | | | 131022 | Gu'an County | Gù'ān Xiàn | 703.08 | 576,344 | Gu'an Town | 065500 | | 5 | 4 | | | 131023 | Yongqing County | Yǒngqīng Xiàn | 760.94 | 384,767 | Yongqing Town | 065600 | | 5 | 5 | 1 | | 131024 | Xianghe County | Xiānghé Xiàn | 447.99 | 449,038 | Shuyang Town | 065400 | | 9 | | | | 131025 | Dacheng County | Dàchéng Xiàn | 897.07 | 481,802 | Pingshu Town | 065900 | | 10 | | | | 131026 | Wen'an County | Wén'ān Xiàn | 1,036.90 | 544,778 | Wen'an Town | 065800 | | 12 | 1 | 1 | | 131028 | Dachang Hui Autonomous County | Dàchǎng Huízú Zìzhìxiàn | 175.84 | 171,366 | Dachang Town | 065300 | 1 | 5 | | | | 131081 | Bazhou City | Bàzhōu Shì | 801.45 | 743,266 | Bazhou Town | 065700 | 1 | 9 | 3 | | | 131082 | Sanhe City | Sānhé Shì | 633.87 | 965,075 | Dingshengdong Subdistrict | 065200 | 5 | 10 | | |

6. Economy

Langfang City is located in the central part of Hebei Province, China, adjacent to Beijing and Tianjin. Its superior geographical position makes it a crucial node city in the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. In recent years, leveraging its locational advantages and policy support, Langfang has experienced rapid economic development, forming a diversified economic structure dominated by high-tech industries, modern services, and advanced manufacturing.

6.1 Economic Aggregate and Growth

• GDP Growth: Langfang's GDP has maintained stable growth in recent years, with its economic aggregate ranking among the top in Hebei Province. In 2022, Langfang's GDP reached approximately 350 billion RMB, representing a year-on-year increase of about 6%.
• Per Capita Income: With rapid economic development, the per capita disposable income of Langfang residents has increased year by year. In 2022, the per capita disposable income of urban residents exceeded 40,000 RMB.

6.2 Industrial Structure

• High-Tech Industries: Langfang actively develops high-tech industries, focusing on areas such as electronic information, biomedicine, and new energy. The Langfang Economic and Technological Development Zone and the Yanjiao High-Tech Industrial Development Zone are important industrial clusters.
• Modern Services: Capitalizing on its proximity to Beijing, Langfang vigorously develops modern services, including finance, logistics, conventions and exhibitions, and cultural tourism. Notably, in the exhibition economy, Langfang has become a significant convention and exhibition center in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
• Advanced Manufacturing: Langfang has a solid manufacturing foundation, with a focus on developing equipment manufacturing, automotive parts, and intelligent manufacturing. In recent years, Langfang has actively promoted the transformation and upgrading of its manufacturing sector to enhance the modernization level of its industrial chain.

6.3 Locational Advantages and Transportation

• Locational Advantages: Situated in the core area of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Langfang is less than 100 kilometers from both Beijing and Tianjin, making it a key hub city for the coordinated development of the region.
• Transportation Network: Langfang boasts convenient transportation, with multiple highways, railways, and intercity rail transit lines. The completion of the Beijing Daxing International Airport has further enhanced Langfang's transportation advantages and promoted regional economic integration.

6.4 Investment Attraction and Policy Support

• Investment Attraction: Langfang actively attracts domestic and foreign investment, focusing on introducing high-tech enterprises and modern service projects. In recent years, Langfang has successfully attracted several Fortune Global 500 companies and renowned multinational corporations.
• Policy Support: Langfang benefits from the policy dividends of the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Both national and local governments have introduced a series of supportive policies, including tax incentives, land supply, and talent recruitment, providing strong guarantees for economic development.

6.5 Future Development Directions

• Technological Innovation: Langfang will continue to increase investment in technological innovation, promote the development of high-tech industries, and build itself into a technological innovation hub within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
• Green Development: Langfang emphasizes ecological civilization construction, actively promotes green and low-carbon development, and aims to build a modern city that is both livable and conducive to business.
• Regional Coordination: Langfang will further strengthen cooperation with Beijing and Tianjin, promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the regional economy.

7. Transportation

7.1 Highways

Seven expressways pass through Langfang. National Highways 104 and 105 traverse the area.

7.2 Railways

The Beijing-Shanghai Railway has a station in Langfang, marking the beginning of Langfang's modern development. The Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway runs through Langfang, with 43 trains stopping daily. Traveling north to Beijing takes only 19-21 minutes, while heading south to Tianjin takes just 20 minutes, creating a half-hour living circle. The Beijing-Xiong'an Intercity Railway has stations at Gu'an East Station in Gu'an County and Bazhou North Station in Bazhou City, which is under Langfang's jurisdiction.

7.3 Rail Transit

The Beijing Daxing International Airport, which opened on September 25, 2019, is partly located in Guangyang District, Langfang City, and partly in Daxing District, Beijing. The Beijing Subway Daxing Airport Line connects Daxing Airport with Fengtai District, Beijing.

Additionally, the Tianjin-Xiong'an Intercity Railway, Huai'an-Xiong'an Intercity Railway, and Tongzhou-Wuqing-Langfang Regional Railway pass through Langfang, while the Beijing Subway Pinggu Line runs through Sanhe City, which is under Langfang's jurisdiction.

8. Education

Higher Education Institutions

• China Petroleum Pipeline College (Hebei Petroleum Vocational and Technical College)
• Langfang Normal University
• Langfang Polytechnic Institute
• Hebei University of Technology Langfang Campus
• China People's Police University
• Beihua College of Aerospace and Astronautics
• North China Institute of Science and Technology
• Institute of Disaster Prevention Science and Technology
• Yanching Institute of Technology
• Central Academy of Fine Arts (Yanjiao Campus)
• Artillery and Missile Academy

Secondary Schools

• China National Petroleum Pipeline Bureau Middle School
• Langfang No.1 Middle School
• Langfang No.2 Middle School (Langfang Art High School)
• Langfang No.3 Middle School
• Langfang No.4 Middle School
• Langfang No.5 Middle School
• Langfang No.6 Middle School
• Langfang No.7 Middle School
• Langfang No.8 Middle School (Langfang Foreign Language School)
• Langfang No.9 Middle School
• Langfang No.10 Middle School
• Langfang No.12 Middle School
• Langfang No.14 Middle School (Langfang No.1 Experimental Middle School)
• Langfang No.15 Middle School
• Langfang No.17 Middle School (Galaxy School)
• Langfang No.18 Middle School
• Sanhe No.1 Middle School
• Sanhe No.2 Middle School

9. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 5,464,087. Compared with the 4,358,839 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 1,105,248 people over the past ten years, representing a growth of 25.36%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.29%. Among them, the male population was 2,791,276, accounting for 51.08% of the total population; the female population was 2,672,811, accounting for 48.92% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 104.43. The population aged 0–14 was 1,083,072, accounting for 19.82% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 3,460,521, accounting for 63.33% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 920,494, accounting for 16.85% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 638,332, accounting for 11.68% of the total population. The urban population was 3,543,106, accounting for 64.84% of the total population; the rural population was 1,920,981, accounting for 35.16% of the total population.

9.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 5,295,411, accounting for 96.91%; the Hui ethnic group population was 68,823, accounting for 1.26%; the Manchu ethnic group population was 58,664, accounting for 1.07%; and the populations of other ethnic minorities totaled 41,189, accounting for 0.75%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population increased by 1,049,237, a growth of 24.71%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.5 percentage points; the populations of various ethnic minorities increased by 56,011, a growth of 49.71%, with their proportion of the total population increasing by 0.5 percentage points. Among them, the Hui ethnic group population increased by 5,547, a growth of 8.77%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.19 percentage points; the Manchu ethnic group population increased by 24,352, a growth of 70.97%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.29 percentage points.

nix

10. Culture

10.1 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Bian Guan Underground Tunnel Site: An underground military defense system built during the Northern Song Dynasty to defend against the Liao Kingdom. It is now a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.
• Daxinge Stone Pagoda

10.2 Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Stone Pagoda
• Tangwang Tomb
• Zhang Renxian's Spirit Way Stele
• Menggezhuang Site
• Xixiaowang Site
• Lingshan Pagoda
• Liubaita Village Site
• Wanglong Village Dharani Sutra Pillar
• Longzhong Tomb
• Qigeda Han Tomb
• Guodi Village Tomb Cluster
• Great Wall Embankment
• Main Hall of Longquan Temple
• Huilong Pavilion Stele
• Eternal Lamp Tower of Longfu Temple
• Qiannanzhuang Dharani Sutra Pillar
• Xiaowangdong Site
• Site of the Ancient Linju City
• Li Song's Tomb
• Zhang Family Compound in Shengfang
• Wang Family Compound in Shengfang

nix

nix

nix

nix

Legend has it that the name originated from the "Shilang House" built here by Lü Qi, father of Lü Duan, a chancellor of the Song Dynasty, who once served as a Shilang (vice minister).

Guangyang District

Sanhe City

nix

Sophora japonica

Rose