Linfen (临汾)

1. Introduction

Linfen City, historically known as Pingyang and Jinzhou, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China. Located in the southwestern part of Shanxi Province, on the eastern bank of the Yellow River, it derives its name from its proximity to the Fen River. The city borders Yuncheng City to the south, Jincheng City to the southeast, Changzhi City to the northeast, Jinzhong City and Lüliang City to the north, and faces Yan'an City and Weinan City in Shaanxi Province across the Yellow River to the west. Situated in the southeastern part of the Loess Plateau, the eastern part of the city is dominated by the Taiyue Mountains and Zhongtiao Mountains, the central part by the Fen River Basin, and the western part by the Lüliang Mountains. The Fen River flows from north to south through the entire territory, while the Qin River traverses the eastern part of the city. The People's Government of Linfen City is located on Shifu Street, Jiefang Road, Yaodu District.

Linfen has a long history and is an important cradle of the Chinese nation and the Yellow River civilization, often referred to as the "First Capital of China." It is a significant grain and cotton production base in North China, renowned for its abundant yields of wheat, cotton, and other crops, earning it the reputation as the "Land of Cotton and Wheat" and the "Land of Plenty." The city has developed a diversified industrial system and plays a crucial role in Shanxi Province's construction of new energy and industrial bases. Rich in natural resources, it is one of China's three major high-quality coking coal bases. The city boasts a wide variety of intangible cultural heritage, including numerous folk art forms such as Puzhou Bangzi and Weifeng Luogu (Majestic Gong and Drum). It is celebrated as the "Hometown of Plum Blossoms," "Hometown of Paper-Cutting," and "Hometown of Gong and Drum."

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2. History

2.1 Ancient Times

Linfen is one of the birthplaces of the Chinese nation. The "Century of Emperors" records: "Yao's capital was Pingyang," which is present-day Linfen. In the "Tribute of Yu," the world was divided into nine provinces, with Pingyang belonging to the region of Jizhou. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, King Cheng of Zhou enfeoffed his younger brother, Shu Yu, in Tang (modern-day Yicheng). Because the territory of Tang contained the Jin River, Shu Yu's son, Xie Fu, "changed Tang to Jin." During the Spring and Autumn period, it belonged to the feudal state of Jin. When Duke Wen of Jin dominated the north, the center of the Jin state was in the area of present-day Quwo, Houma, and Xiangfen. In the early Warring States period, Han, Zhao, and Wei "partitioned Jin," with Han establishing its capital at Pingyang. The Qin Dynasty replaced the feudal system with the commandery and county system, dividing the country into 36 commanderies, and the area belonged to Hedong Commandery. In the Western Han Dynasty, the country was divided into 103 commanderies and feudal states, under the jurisdiction of the Hedong Commandery's Silibu. In the eighth year of the Zhengshi era (247 AD) of the Wei state during the Three Kingdoms period, Pingyang Commandery was established. In the third year of the Yongjia era (309 AD) of the Western Jin Dynasty, Liu Yuan established the Han state, with its capital at Pingyang. During the Xiaochang era of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Tangzhou was established. In the third year of the Kaihuang era (583 AD) of the Sui Dynasty, Linfen Commandery was established, and the name Linfen has been used ever since.

The Tang Dynasty implemented the system of circuits, prefectures, sub-prefectures, and counties. In the early Wude years (618 AD), it was Jinzhou. In the sixth year of the Zhenghe era (1116 AD) of the Northern Song Dynasty, Pingyang Prefecture was established for the first time, governing ten counties—Linfen, Fenxi, Hongtong, Yueyang, Xiangning, Zhaocheng, Huoyi, Fushan, Jishi, and Hechuan—and three sub-prefectures: Xi, Ji, and Jiang. The Yuan Dynasty implemented a four-level system of provinces, routes, prefectures (sub-prefectures), and counties, with the area belonging to the Jinning Route (administered from Linfen) of the Shanxi Pacification Commission under the Central Secretariat. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Pingyang Prefecture was re-established, governing 35 sub-prefectures and counties, including the present-day cities of Linfen and Yuncheng, as well as Lingshi County in Jinzhong City and Shilou County in the Lüliang region.

2.2 Modern Era

In the third year of the Republic of China (1914), the prefecture system was abolished and replaced by circuits governing counties. Seventeen counties—Linfen, Hongtong, Zhaocheng, Xiangling, Fencheng, Quwo, Anze, Fushan, Yicheng, Xiangning, Jixian, Huoxian, Fenxi, Xixian, Puxian, Daning, and Yonghe—were under the jurisdiction of the Hedong Circuit. In 1927, the circuit system was abolished, and these areas came directly under Shanxi Province. In the early stages of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Linfen was part of the 6th Administrative Supervision District among the seven in Shanxi Province. In November 1937, the Shanxi Provincial Government moved to Jixian. During the Japanese puppet regime, it was part of the Jining Circuit. After the victory in the War of Resistance, it belonged to the Taiyue District.

In March 1948, the North China Field Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army launched the Linfen Campaign, ultimately capturing Linfen County on May 17 of the same year.

2.3 Contemporary Era

In February 1949, the Jinnan District was established under the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region Government. On September 1 of the same year, it was transferred to Shanxi Province. On January 6, 1950, the Linfen Special District was established. In 1954, it merged with the Yuncheng Special District to form the Jinnan Special District (based in Linfen), governing 29 counties. In 1970, special districts were renamed regions, and the Jinnan Special District was divided back into the Linfen and Yuncheng regions according to the original administrative divisions. In 1978, the Linfen Regional Administrative Office was established, governing two cities—Linfen and Houma—and 16 counties. In 1983, Linfen County and Linfen City merged to form Linfen City. On November 1, 2000, the region was abolished and replaced by a prefecture-level city, establishing the prefecture-level Linfen City.

Relying on abundant coal and iron resources, Linfen's coal, coking, and steel industries developed rapidly. Linfen's GDP ranked second in Shanxi Province for six consecutive years.

3. Geography

Linfen City is located between 35°23' and 36°37' north latitude, spanning 170 kilometers from north to south, and between 110°22' and 112°34' east longitude, spanning 200 kilometers from east to west. Its administrative area covers 20,275 square kilometers, accounting for 13% of the province's total area.

The region features diverse topography. Mountains cover 29.2% of the area, the central basin covers 19.4%, and hills account for 51.4%. The average elevation of the Lüliang Mountains in the west exceeds 1,000 meters. Major rivers include the Yellow River, Fen River, Tingshui River, Qin River, Hui River, Xia'e River, and Qingshui River.

Linfen City is situated at the midpoint connecting the three provincial capitals of Taiyuan, Zhengzhou, and Xi'an, offering convenient transportation. Located in southwestern Shanxi Province, it borders the Taiyue Mountains to the east, adjacent to Changzhi and Jincheng; faces the Yellow River to the west, across from Shaanxi Province; begins at Hanxin Ridge to the north, bordering Jinzhong and Lüliang; and adjoins Yuncheng City to the south. Named for its location along the Fen River, Linfen is described as "bordering Leihuo to the east, controlling the Hefen region to the west, connecting to Qin and Shu to the south, and reaching You and Bing to the north." Its strategic geographical position has made it a contested area throughout history.

3.1 Climate

Linfen City experiences a temperate continental monsoon semi-arid climate, characterized by dry, cold winters and humid, hot summers, with relatively short spring and autumn seasons. The average temperature in January is -2.7°C, in July it is 26.1°C, and the annual average temperature is 12.6°C. Annual precipitation is 470 mm, concentrated mainly from June to September. The frost-free period is approximately 190 days. In recent years, temperatures in Linfen have generally risen, with summer highs frequently exceeding 35°C, and distinct autumn and spring seasons have become less noticeable.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--| | Record high °C (°F) | 15.2(59.4) | 21.5(70.7) | 29.2(84.6) | 36.5(97.7) | 38.4(101.1) | 42.3(108.1) | 41.0(105.8) | 39.2(102.6) | 39.1(102.4) | 32.5(90.5) | 25.0(77.0) | 15.5(59.9) | 42.3(108.1) | | Average high °C (°F) | 4.4(39.9) | 8.6(47.5) | 14.7(58.5) | 22.0(71.6) | 27.2(81.0) | 31.7(89.1) | 32.4(90.3) | 30.6(87.1) | 25.8(78.4) | 19.7(67.5) | 11.9(53.4) | 5.5(41.9) | 19.5(67.2) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -2.0(28.4) | 2.0(35.6) | 7.8(46.0) | 14.9(58.8) | 20.2(68.4) | 24.8(76.6) | 26.6(79.9) | 24.9(76.8) | 19.8(67.6) | 13.2(55.8) | 5.4(41.7) | -0.6(30.9) | 13.1(55.5) | | Average low °C (°F) | -7.1(19.2) | -3.2(26.2) | 2.1(35.8) | 8.5(47.3) | 13.7(56.7) | 18.6(65.5) | 21.7(71.1) | 20.4(68.4) | 15.1(59.2) | 8.1(46.6) | 0.3(32.5) | -5.3(22.5) | 7.7(45.9) | | Record low °C (°F) | -22.5(-8.5) | -23.1(-9.6) | -10.0(14.0) | -5.0(23.0) | 1.3(34.3) | 8.5(47.3) | 14.7(58.5) | 10.7(51.3) | 2.3(36.1) | -5.0(23.0) | -12.8(9.0) | -17.6(0.3) | -23.1(-9.6) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 3.4(0.13) | 5.3(0.21) | 15.1(0.59) | 23.4(0.92) | 41.5(1.63) | 54.2(2.13) | 105.0(4.13) | 90.1(3.55) | 64.0(2.52) | 35.7(1.41) | 13.4(0.53) | 4.0(0.16) | 455.1(17.91) | | Average precipitation days (≥0.1 mm) | 2.2 | 2.8 | 4.6 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 8.8 | 12.0 | 10.0 | 8.6 | 6.4 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 73.2 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 57 | 54 | 54 | 53 | 58 | 58 | 68 | 72 | 72 | 71 | 66 | 61 | 62 |

Data source: China Meteorological Data Network

4. Administrative Divisions

Linfen City currently administers 1 municipal district, 14 counties, and oversees 2 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• Municipal District: Yaodu District
• County-level Cities: Houma City, Huozhou City
• Counties: Quwo County, Yicheng County, Xiangfen County, Hongtong County, Gu County, Anze County, Fushan County, Ji County, Xiangning County, Daning County, Xi County, Yonghe County, Pu County, Fenxi County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Township-level Divisions | Towns | Townships | |--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--| | 140200 | Datong City | Dàtóng Shì | 14,056.40 | 3,105,591 | Pingcheng District | 037000 | 39 | 37 | 50 | | 140212 | Xinrong District | Xīnróng Qū | 1,091.26 | 88,664 | Xinrong Town | 037000 | | 3 | 4 | | 140213 | Pingcheng District | Píngchéng Qū | 243.68 | 1,105,699 | Yuhe Subdistrict | 037000 | 18 | | | | 140214 | Yungang District | Yúngāng Qū | 737.81 | 684,753 | Kouquan Township | 037000 | 21 | 2 | 4 | | 140215 | Yunzhou District | Yúnzhōu Qū | 1,478.28 | 151,087 | Xiping Town | 037300 | | 3 | 6 | | 140221 | Yanggao County | Yánggāo Xiàn | 1,598.29 | 191,981 | Longquan Town | 038100 | | 7 | 4 | | 140222 | Tianzhen County | Tiānzhèn Xiàn | 1,709.27 | 160,691 | Yuquan Town | 038200 | | 5 | 6 | | 140223 | Guangling County | Guǎnglíng Xiàn | 1,204.06 | 154,253 | Huquan Town | 037500 | | 5 | 3 | | 140224 | Lingqiu County | Língqiū Xiàn | 2,731.66 | 212,771 | Wuling Town | 034400 | | 3 | 8 | | 140225 | Hunyuan County | Húnyuán Xiàn | 1,968.49 | 237,749 | Yong'an Town | 037400 | | 6 | 10 | | 140226 | Zuoyun County | Zuǒyún Xiàn | 1,293.60 | 117,943 | Yunxing Town | 037100 | | 3 | 5 |

5. Economy

In 2015, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Linfen City reached 116.1 billion yuan, with the primary industry accounting for 7.8% of the GDP; the secondary industry accounting for 48.5%; and the tertiary industry accounting for 43.7%. The city's public fiscal budget revenue for that year was 8.82 billion yuan, with expenditures amounting to 28.7 billion yuan. The total crop planting area was 559.37 thousand hectares, yielding a total output of 2.362 million tons. Corn and wheat were the major crops, while apples, red dates, and walnuts were also abundantly produced. The Linfen Economic Development Zone was established in 1997 and began operations on October 18, 1998.

6. Transportation

According to the 13th Five-Year Plan for the development of commerce and logistics, Linfen City has been designated as a regional commerce and logistics node city.

6.1 Aviation

Linfen Qiaoli Airport was originally built in 1959 and resumed operations in 2016, with its flight zone classified as 4C. It currently offers flights to destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Kunming, Hohhot, Guilin, Shenyang, Yinchuan, and Zhuhai, as well as seasonal flights to Tianjin and Haikou. In May 2020, Linfen Qiaoli Airport was officially renamed "Linfen Yaodu Airport."

6.2 Railway

• Conventional Railways: Tongpu Railway, Houxi Railway, Houyue Railway, Wari Railway
• High-Speed Railway: Daxi Passenger Dedicated Line

6.3 Highway

• Expressways
  • G5 Beijing–Kunming Expressway
  • G22 Qingdao–Lanzhou Expressway
  • G59 Hohhot–Beihai Expressway (Planned)
  • S75 Houma–Pinglu Expressway
• National Highways
  • China National Highway 108
  • China National Highway 209
  • China National Highway 241 (Planned)
  • China National Highway 309
• Provincial Highways
  • Shanxi Provincial Highway S080
  • Shanxi Provincial Highway S085
  • Shanxi Provincial Highway S330

7. Education

By the end of 2017, Linfen City had a total of five higher education institutions: Shanxi Normal University, Linfen Vocational and Technical College, Shanxi Management Vocational College, Shanxi Information Vocational and Technical College, and Shanxi Normal University Modern College of Arts and Sciences. The number of postgraduate students enrolled was 3,509, and the number of students in regular higher education institutions was 43,766. Shanxi Normal University holds the authority to confer master's and doctoral degrees and has been selected for the Basic Capacity Building Project for Universities in Central and Western China. Linfen Vocational and Technical College and Shanxi Management Vocational College are specialized higher education institutions, Shanxi Information Vocational and Technical College is a private specialized higher education institution, and Shanxi Normal University Modern College of Arts and Sciences is a private independent college offering undergraduate programs.

Eleven middle schools in Linfen City have been recognized as Demonstration High Schools in Shanxi Province, including Linfen No. 1 Middle School, Linfen No. 3 Middle School, Shanxi Normal University Experimental Middle School, Houma No. 1 Middle School, Quwo Middle School, Yicheng Middle School, Xiangfen High School, Hongtong No. 1 Middle School, Huozhou No. 1 Middle School, Fushan Middle School, and Xiangning No. 1 Middle School.

8. Population

By the end of 2022, the permanent resident population of Linfen City was 3.9066 million, a decrease of 5,800 people from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 2.1398 million, accounting for 54.78% of the total permanent resident population.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 3,976,481. Compared with the 4,316,610 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a total decrease of 340,129 people over the ten years, a decline of 7.88%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.82%. Among them, the male population was 2,001,917, accounting for 50.34% of the total population; the female population was 1,974,564, accounting for 49.66% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 101.39. The population aged 0-14 was 689,892, accounting for 17.35% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 2,567,663, accounting for 64.57% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 718,926, accounting for 18.08% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 484,063, accounting for 12.17% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 2,114,457, accounting for 53.17% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 1,862,024, accounting for 46.83% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 3,968,836, accounting for 99.81%; the combined population of various ethnic minorities was 7,645, accounting for 0.19%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population decreased by 340,471, a decline of 7.9%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.02 percentage points; the combined population of ethnic minorities increased by 342, a growth of 4.68%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.02 percentage points.

Residents in Linfen City belong to 28 ethnic minorities, totaling over 10,000 people. They are: Hui, Manchu, Tujia, Mongolian, Miao, Zhuang, Korean, Yi, Bouyei, Bai, Uyghur, Mulao, She, Tibetan, Li, Dong, Yao, Tajik, Gelao, Daur, Lahu, Va, Hani, Tu, Xibe, Lisu, Qiang, and Jingpo.

Ethnic minorities are mainly distributed in Yaodu District, Houma City, Yicheng County, Quwo County, Ji County, Xiangfen County, and Fushan County, with a few scattered in Pu County, Yonghe County, Xi County, Hongtong County, and others. There are 9 ethnic minority villages: Beiguan Village, Zhongshiqiao, and Xiagao Village in Yicheng County; Dongguan in Quwo County; Xincun and Zhaizihao in Ji County; Jincheng Village in Xiangfen County; and Jinsha Village and Beibao Village in Houma City. There is one ethnic minority primary school: Beiguan Primary School in Yicheng County.

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9. Culture

9.1 Tourism

The Linfen Municipal Government has categorized Linfen's tourism into three major sectors: the Yellow River, Ancestral Roots, and Taihang Mountain. Key natural attractions include the Hukou Waterfall, Qiankun Bay, Taiyue Mountain, Shunwangping, Guozhuang Spring, Longci Spring, Huo Spring, Yunqiu Mountain, Renzu Mountain, Qili Valley, Taotang Valley, and Xiandong Gully. Cultural and historical tourist sites encompass the Linfen Museum, Jin State Museum, Dingcun Site, Taosi Site, Yao Temple, the Great Pagoda Tree of Hongtong, the Feihong Pagoda of Guangsheng Temple, Huozhou Government Office, Thousand-Buddha Nunnery, the Dongyue Temple on Bai Mountain, and the former residence of Peng Zhen. The Hongtong Great Pagoda Tree Ancestral Worship Park is the first national 5A-level tourist attraction in southern Shanxi. Linfen City boasts 43 nationally protected key cultural heritage sites, 58 provincially protected cultural heritage sites, with the total number of cultural heritage units at all levels exceeding 3,000. It ranks first in Shanxi Province for the quantity of intangible cultural heritage.

According to statistics, in 2017, Linfen City received 52.5137 million domestic tourists and 41,000 international tourists. Tourism foreign exchange income reached $16.8557 million, domestic tourism revenue was 48.293 billion yuan, and total tourism revenue amounted to 48.449 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 30.0%.

9.2 Nationally Protected Key Cultural Heritage Sites

• Guangsheng Temple
• Dingcun Site
• Houma Jin State Site
• Dingcun Folk Dwellings
• Taosi Site
• Qucun–Tianma Site
• Niuwang Temple Stage
• Main Hall of Huozhou Government Office
• Thousand-Buddha Nunnery
• Shizitan Site
• Dabei Temple
• Hongtong Yuhuang Temple
• Dongyue Temple on Bai Mountain
• Huozhou Kiln Site
• Laojun Cave
• Xiangning Shousheng Temple
• Fencheng Ancient Architectural Complex
• Dongyang Houtu Temple
• Huozhou Guanyin Temple
• Sisheng Palace
• Pujing Temple
• Wangqu Dongyue Temple
• Nanhan Dongyue Temple
• Qiaozetemple Stage
• Yao Mausoleum
• Tiefo Temple
• Shijiagou Ancient Architectural Complex
• Wahuang Temple
• Yangshe Cemetery
• Langzhai Brick Pagoda
• Mayi Temple Brick Pagoda
• Lingguang Temple Glazed Pagoda
• Offering Hall of Dongxu Sanqing Temple
• Dacheng Hall of Xiangling Confucian Temple
• Nanlinjiao Longquan Temple
• Hongtong Guandi Temple
• Dacheng Hall of Yonghe Confucian Temple
• Xi County Drum Tower
• Hongtong Shangshan Temple
• Stone and Wood Quadruple Memorial Archways
• Fandian Guandi Temple
• Jingshi Palace
• Qilijiao Thousand-Buddha Cave Grottoes

9.3 Landmarks

• Hua Gate
• Yao Temple
• Hukou Waterfall
• Guangsheng Temple
• The Great Pagoda Tree of Hongtong
• Dazhong Tower

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Named for being adjacent to the Fen River.

Yaodu District

Yaodu District

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