Maanshan (马鞍山)

1. Introduction

Ma'anshan is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, located in the eastern part of Anhui Province along the Yangtze River. The city borders Chuzhou to the northwest, Hefei to the west, Wuhu and Xuancheng to the south, and Nanjing, Jiangsu Province to the northeast. Situated at the junction of the Yangtze River Plain and the hilly area between Anhui and Jiangsu, the Yangtze River flows through the city from south to north. East of the Yangtze, rivers such as the Shuiyang River, Guxi River, and Qingshan River form an intricate network, with Shijiu Lake located in the southeast. West of the Yangtze, rivers such as the Chu River, Yuxi River, and Desheng River traverse the area. The city covers a total area of 4,049 square kilometers, with a population of 2.262 million. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 2008 Taibai Avenue, Yushan District. Ma'anshan is one of China's seven major steel production bases and a member of the Nanjing Metropolitan Circle and the Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone. The city's name originates from a saddle-shaped mountain range along the riverbank. Ma'anshan Port is one of the four first-class Yangtze River ports in Anhui Province.

2. Origin of the Name

Legend has it that during the Chu-Han War, Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, was besieged at Gaixia. Surrounded by the songs of Chu from all sides, he retreated to the Wu River in Hexian County. He asked a fisherman to ferry his beloved steed, Wuzhui, to the opposite bank. Feeling ashamed to face his elders east of the river, he took his own life. Overwhelmed with grief for its master, the horse rolled on the ground in anguish and perished. Its saddle fell and transformed into a mountain, giving rise to the name "Ma'anshan" (Saddle Mountain). The renowned Song Dynasty poetess Li Qingzhao wrote the lines: "Alive, one should be a hero among men; / Dead, one should be a champion among ghosts. / Even today, I think of Xiang Yu, / Who refused to cross the river to the east."

3. History

Ma'anshan boasts a long history. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, it was part of the State of Wu. In the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it fell under the territories of the States of Yue and Chu. The Qin Dynasty established Danyang County, and the area was incorporated into it. In the fourth year of the Xianhe era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (329 AD), due to warfare and other reasons, Dangtu County (originally located in present-day Huaiyuan, Anhui) was temporarily relocated to the area around present-day Nanling. In the first year of the Yonghe era (345 AD), Yuzhou was temporarily established in Niuzhu (present-day Caishi). During the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, in the first year of the Tianjian era (502 AD), the Southern Danyang Commandery was established, with its seat in Caishi.

In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (589 AD), Dangtu County was moved to Gushu City, marking the beginning of Gushu City as its seat, which remains unchanged to this day. In the second year of the Taiping Xingguo era of the Northern Song Dynasty (977 AD), Taiping Prefecture was established, governing Dangtu, Wuhu, and Fanchang counties, with its seat in Gushu City. During the Yuan Dynasty, Taiping Prefecture was renamed Taiping Route. In the fifteenth year of the Zhizheng era (1355 AD), Zhu Yuanzhang changed Taiping Route to Taiping Prefecture, a name that continued through the Ming and Qing dynasties. During the Republic of China period, Dangtu County was directly under Anhui Province.

In February 1954, Ma'anshan Town was established under Dangtu County. In August 1955, the Ma'anshan Mining District was established, subordinate to the Wuhu Administrative District. On October 12, 1956, Ma'anshan City was established as a provincial-administered city, incorporating the Ma'anshan Mining District, Caishi Town, and other areas. In 1963, the Ma'anshan City Suburban District was established. In February 1969, the Ma'anshan District was established. In September 1975, the Ma'anshan District was divided into Sixin, Huashan, Yushan, and Xiangshan districts. In October 1979, the Ma'anshan City Suburban District was abolished, and Sixin District was renamed Jinjiazhuang District. In July 1983, Dangtu County, originally part of the Xuancheng Prefecture, was transferred to Ma'anshan City. In July 2001, Xiangshan District was abolished. In August 2011, Hanshan County and He County (excluding Shenxiang Town), originally under the prefecture-level Chaohu City, were transferred to Ma'anshan City. In September 2012, Jinjiazhuang District was abolished and merged into Huashan District. Bowang, Xinshi, and Danyang towns of Dangtu County were separated to establish Bowang District.

4. Geography

Ma'anshan City is located on the south bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, in the eastern part of Anhui Province. It lies between latitudes 31°46′42″N to 31°17′26″N and longitudes 118°21′38″E to 118°52′44″E. The city experiences a northern subtropical humid monsoon climate, characterized by distinct monsoons, four distinct seasons, warm and humid conditions, and simultaneous occurrence of rain and heat. Climate data from 1960 to 2003, spanning 44 years, were processed to create climate sequences for January to December, spring, summer, autumn, winter, and the entire year (seasonal divisions: spring from March to May, summer from June to August, autumn from September to November, and winter from December to February of the following year). Ma'anshan receives abundant rainfall, with an average annual precipitation of 1,059.1 mm. The highest recorded annual precipitation was 1,918.7 mm in 1991, while the lowest was 459.8 mm in 1978, indicating significant interannual variability with a standard deviation of 263.6 mm. Within the year, July has the highest average precipitation at 182.5 mm, while December has the lowest at 29.2 mm. The city typically experiences a prolonged rainy season, known as the Meiyu season, from late June to mid-July. Additionally, summer and autumn bring substantial rainfall from typhoons originating in the western Pacific Ocean.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Annual | |-------------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------|----------|----------|---------|---------|---------|------------| | Record High °C | 20.5 | 28.5 | 29.5 | 34 | 36.2 | 37.7 | 39.9 | 39.8 | 37.9 | 33.7 | 29 | 22.1 | 39.9 | | Record High °F | 68.9 | 83.3 | 85.1 | 93.2 | 97.2 | 99.9 | 103.8 | 103.6 | 100.2 | 92.7 | 84.2 | 71.8 | 103.8 | | Average High °C | 7.3 | 9.5 | 14.3 | 20.8 | 26.4 | 29.2 | 32.4 | 31.8 | 27.8 | 22.6 | 16.3 | 10 | 20.7 | | Average High °F | 45.1 | 49.1 | 57.7 | 69.4 | 79.5 | 84.6 | 90.3 | 89.2 | 82 | 72.7 | 61.3 | 50 | 69.2 | | Daily Mean °C | 3.2 | 5.4 | 9.7 | 16 | 21.5 | 25.1 | 28.5 | 27.7 | 23.5 | 18 | 11.6 | 5.6 | 16.3 | | Daily Mean °F | 37.8 | 41.7 | 49.5 | 60.8 | 70.7 | 77.2 | 83.3 | 81.9 | 74.3 | 64.4 | 52.9 | 42.1 | 61.4 | | Average Low °C | 0.1 | 2.1 | 6 | 11.8 | 17.3 | 21.6 | 25.3 | 24.6 | 20.2 | 14.3 | 7.9 | 2.1 | 12.8 | | Average Low °F | 32.2 | 35.8 | 42.8 | 53.2 | 63.1 | 70.9 | 77.5 | 76.3 | 68.4 | 57.7 | 46.2 | 35.8 | 55 | | Record Low °C | −10.5 | −11.7 | −4.0 | 1 | 7.4 | 13.2 | 18.9 | 17.1 | 12.1 | 2.7 | −5.0 | −13.7 | −13.7 | | Record Low °F | 13.1 | 10.9 | 24.8 | 33.8 | 45.3 | 55.8 | 66 | 62.8 | 53.8 | 36.9 | 23 | 7.3 | 7.3 | | Avg. Precipitation mm | 47.9 | 56.7 | 92 | 90 | 98.3 | 165.3 | 202.5 | 144.5 | 66.3 | 57.9 | 59.8 | 32.8 | 1,114 | | Avg. Precipitation in | 1.89 | 2.23 | 3.62 | 3.54 | 3.87 | 6.51 | 7.97 | 5.69 | 2.61 | 2.28 | 2.35 | 1.29 | 43.85 | | Avg. Relative Humidity (%) | 74 | 73 | 72 | 71 | 71 | 76 | 79 | 81 | 78 | 74 | 73 | 71 | 74 |

5. Administrative Divisions

Ma'anshan City currently administers 3 municipal districts and 3 counties.

• Municipal Districts: Yushan District, Huashan District, Bowang District
• Counties: Dangtu County, Hanshan County, He County Ma'anshan City also has the following administrative management zones: Ma'anshan Economic and Technological Development Zone, Ma'anshan Cihu High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Ma'anshan Industrial Transfer Demonstration Park, Zhengpugang New Area.

| Division Code | Division Name | Hanyu Pinyin | Nanjing Dialect Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 340500 | Ma'anshan City | Mǎ'ānshān Shì | Ma3ang1shang1 Shr4 | 4,049.13 | 2,159,930 | Yushan District | 243000 | 13 | 33 | 2 | | 340503 | Huashan District | Huāshān Qū | Hua1shang1 Qü1 | 178.76 | 450,983 | Huoli Subdistrict | 243000 | 9 | 1 | | | 340504 | Yushan District | Yǔshān Qū | Ü3shang1 Qü1 | 174.34 | 355,986 | Yushan Subdistrict | 243000 | 4 | 2 | 1 | | 340506 | Bowang District | Bówàng Qū | Bo5uang4 Qü1 | 379.96 | 158,483 | Bowang Town | 243100 | | 3 | | | 340521 | Dangtu County | Dāngtú Xiàn | Dang1tu2 Xän4 | 969.69 | 446,991 | Gushu Town | 243100 | | 10 | 1 | | 340522 | Hanshan County | Hánshān Xiàn | Hang2shang1 Xän4 | 1,027.80 | 336,588 | Huanfeng Town | 238100 | | 8 | | | 340523 | He County | Hé Xiàn | Ho2 Xän4 | 1,318.59 | 410,899 | Liyang Town | 238200 | | 9 | |

6. Economy

Overview of Ma'anshan City's Major Economic Indicators in 2017 | Indicator Name (Unit) | Economic Data | |--------------------------------|-------------------| | Gross Regional Product (100 million yuan) | 1738.09 | | Total Fixed Asset Investment of the Whole Society (100 million yuan) | 2255.72 | | Value Added of Industrial Enterprises above Designated Size (100 million yuan) | 625 | | Total Retail Sales of Consumer Goods (100 million yuan) | 529.45 | | Total Fiscal Revenue (100 million yuan) | 245.29 | | Per Capita Disposable Income of Urban and Rural Residents (yuan) | 33260 | | Per Capita Disposable Income of Urban Residents (yuan) | 41403 | | Per Capita Disposable Income of Rural Residents (yuan) | 19358 |

In 2017, Ma'anshan City achieved a Gross Regional Product (GDP) of 173.809 billion yuan, ranking 3rd in Anhui Province. The per capita GDP was 76,834.66 yuan, also ranking 3rd in the province. The annual per capita disposable income for all residents, urban residents, and rural residents were 33,260 yuan, 41,403 yuan, and 19,358 yuan respectively, all ranking 1st in Anhui Province.

6.1 Agriculture

Agricultural production grew steadily. The annual grain crop planting area was 160,700 hectares, an increase of 1.5%; grain output was 1.0728 million tons, up 1.7%; vegetable output was 739,700 tons, up 3.1%; and fruit output was 35,700 tons, up 2.6%.

Livestock and poultry production remained stable. The total annual meat output was 82,200 tons, a decrease of 0.2% compared to the previous year; aquatic product output was 116,800 tons, up 2.1%; egg output was 23,400 tons, up 1.9%; milk output was 48,800 tons, up 3.3%; and the number of live pigs raised was 573,300 heads, down 0.4%.

6.2 Industry

The industrial economy grew rapidly. Calculated at comparable prices, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 9.0% year-on-year. Among the 36 major industrial sectors in the city, 30 achieved growth, with a growth coverage rate of 83.3%, contributing 10.2 percentage points to the growth of the city's industrial value added above designated size.

Enterprise profitability improved significantly. The total profits and taxes of industrial enterprises above designated size in the city reached 26.109 billion yuan, an increase of 76.5%.

Strategic emerging industries grew rapidly. The annual output value of strategic emerging industries increased by 27.3% year-on-year. Specifically, the energy-saving and environmental protection industry grew by 35.7%, the bio-industry by 27.3%, the high-end equipment manufacturing industry by 8.9%, the new energy industry by 78.3%, the new materials industry by 31.2%, and the new energy vehicle industry by 13.7%.

6.3 Commerce

The consumer goods market was prosperous and active. The annual total retail sales of consumer goods reached 52.945 billion yuan, an increase of 12.5% year-on-year (see Figure 4). By region, urban areas achieved retail sales of 48.425 billion yuan, up 12.5%; rural areas achieved retail sales of 4.52 billion yuan, up 12.7%. By sector, total commodity retail sales were 46.091 billion yuan, up 12.6%; total catering revenue was 6.854 billion yuan, up 11.8%.

New breakthroughs were made in investment attraction. The annual actual utilized foreign direct investment reached 2.276 billion US dollars, an increase of 8.6% year-on-year.

Foreign trade maintained strong momentum. The total annual import and export volume reached 3.805 billion US dollars, an increase of 19.3% year-on-year. Specifically, total imports were 2.216 billion US dollars, up 31.9%; total exports were 1.589 billion US dollars, up 5.3%. The total import and export volume of small and medium-sized enterprises was 1.9 billion US dollars, up 13.6%.

7. Transportation

Benefiting from its location along the Yangtze River and proximity to Nanjing City, Ma'anshan possesses a transportation network comprising highways, railways, and water transport, making it one of the comprehensive transportation hubs in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

7.1 Highways

Ma'anshan has National Highway 205 passing through, as well as expressways such as the G4211 Nanjing-Wuhu Expressway, G4221 Shanghai-Wuhan Expressway, and S22 Tiantian Expressway. The Ma'anshan Yangtze River Bridge spanning the Ma'anshan section of the Yangtze River is the world's first three-tower suspension bridge.

7.2 Railways

Ma'anshan has a relatively early history of railway access. A railway connecting Nanjing and Wuhu was built in the 1930s, which is the present-day Nanjing-Tongling Railway.

On December 6, 2015, the Nanjing-Anqing Intercity Railway opened. Ma'anshan East Railway Station is 42 kilometers from Nanjing South Railway Station, enabling fastest access to Nanjing in 16 minutes, to Shanghai in 85 minutes, and to Hangzhou in 80 minutes, highly integrating into the Yangtze River Delta high-speed rail transport system. Ma'anshan's second high-speed railway, the Shangqiu-Hangzhou Passenger Dedicated Line, opened in mid-2020, allowing fastest access from Hanshan South Station to Hangzhou in 100 minutes. In 2021, the Ma'anshan Government Work Report proposed accelerating the construction of the Chaohu-Ma'anshan Intercity Railway. The planned Yangzhou-Ma'anshan Intercity Railway will start from Yangzhou City, pass through Zhenjiang City and Nanjing Lukou International Airport, and arrive at Ma'anshan South Station.

7.3 Rail Transit

Nanjing Metro Line S2 has commenced full-line construction and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025. The planned southern extension of the second phase of Nanjing Metro Line S3 (Ninghe Intercity) will reach Zhengpugang New Area. Furthermore, according to the "Ma'anshan City '14th Five-Year Plan' Comprehensive Transportation System Development Plan" (draft for comments) released by the Ma'anshan Transportation Bureau, during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, Ma'anshan will construct the Ma'anshan to Bowang City Railway and the Ma'anshan to Zhengpugang City Railway. According to the "Yangtze River Delta Region Multi-level Rail Transit Plan" issued by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2021, long-term plans include the second phase of the Nanjing to Hexian Line and the Ma'anshan to Zhengpugang Line. Additionally, according to the "Ma'anshan City Urban Public Transportation Special Plan (2023-2035)", it involves Ma'anshan Medium-Capacity Line 1.

7.4 Water Transport

Ma'anshan is located along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Ma'anshan Port is one of the top ten ports on the Yangtze River and a national Class I port, having achieved openness to foreign vessels and direct shipping to Taiwan.

7.5 Aviation

Ma'anshan does not have a civilian airport within the city. However, downtown Ma'anshan is only 45 kilometers from Nanjing Lukou International Airport, connected by the Shanghai-Wuhan Expressway. The city has built an off-site terminal building, with airport shuttle buses in operation. Additionally, three general aviation airports are planned for Hexian, Hanshan, and Dangtu.

7.6 Public Buses

Public bus service in Ma'anshan began on February 27, 1958. Currently, the Ma'anshan Public Transport Group operates over 48 routes. The fare for air-conditioned buses is 2 yuan, and for non-air-conditioned buses, it is 1 yuan.

Ma'anshan Public Transport Group Route 125 can transfer to Dongshan Public Transport Routes 707, 867, and 892 at the Ningma Cihu Bus Hub located at the border of the two cities. Hexian Public Transport Route 101 can transfer to Nanjing Public Transport Routes 413 and 612 at the Ninghe Transfer Center. Route 806 operates from Dangtu Wuxi to Gaochun. Bowang District, Hexian County, and Dangtu County have each opened dedicated bus lines connecting to Nanjing Metro Shiqu Station, Gaojiachong Station, and Gaochun Station, respectively.

8. Education

8.1 Higher Education

• Anhui University of Technology
• Wanjiang Institute of Technology
• Ma'anshan University
• Ma'anshan Teachers College
• Ma'anshan Technician College
• Anhui Vocational College of Metallurgy and Technology
• Ma'anshan Vocational & Technical College
• Ma'anshan Radio and Television University
• Ma'anshan Polytechnic School (formerly Wanjiang Vocational Education Center School)
• Ma'anshan Preschool Teachers College

8.2 Key High Schools

• Ma'anshan No. 2 Middle School
• Ma'anshan Hongxing Middle School
• Ma'anshan Xiushan Experimental School (formerly Ma'anshan Hongxing Middle School Xiushan Experimental Branch)
• Ma'anshan Sino-Canada Bilingual School
• Ma'anshan Foreign Language School
• Ma'anshan No. 22 Middle School
• Affiliated High School of Anhui University of Technology
• Dangtu No. 1 Middle School
• He County No. 1 Middle School
• Hanshan Middle School

9. Population

At the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 2.186 million. Among them, the urban population was 1.594 million, an increase of 33,000 people compared to the previous year, representing a growth of 2.1%; the rural population was 592,000, a decrease of 4,000 people compared to the previous year, representing a decline of 0.7%. The urbanization rate was 72.9%, an increase of 0.5 percentage points from the previous year.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 2,159,930. Compared to the 2,202,899 people recorded in the Sixth National Population Census, the population decreased by 42,969 people over the ten-year period, representing a decline of 1.95%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.2%. Among them, the male population was 1,104,810, accounting for 51.15% of the total population; the female population was 1,055,120, accounting for 48.85% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 104.71. The population aged 0–14 was 309,999, accounting for 14.35% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,380,558, accounting for 63.92% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 469,373, accounting for 21.73% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 378,639, accounting for 17.53% of the total population. The urban population was 1,548,550, accounting for 71.69% of the total population; the rural population was 611,380, accounting for 28.31% of the total population.

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10. Culture

10.1 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

Zhu Ran Family Cemetery Li Bai's Tomb Hexian Ape-man Site Lingjiatan Site Taibai Tower

10.2 Radio Stations

Currently, the main public radio media in Ma'anshan is Ma'anshan People's Radio Station. In the Ma'anshan area, in addition to being able to receive local stations such as News Comprehensive Radio (FM105.1, AM1584), Traffic Music Radio (FM92.8), and Life Story Radio (FM95.4), one can also receive frequencies from China National Radio, Anhui People's Radio Station, Jiangsu People's Radio Station, and Nanjing People's Radio Station.

10.3 Television Stations

Ma'anshan City currently has the state-owned Ma'anshan Television Station and the cable television operated by the state-owned enterprise Ma'anshan Iron and Steel Group. The television channels under Ma'anshan Television Station include the News Channel and the Science, Education & Life Channel. By 2009, Ma'anshan China Broadcasting Cable Digital Television had already launched multiple sets of digital TV programs, covering over 60 free channels. Ma'anshan Iron and Steel Group Cable Television began its digital television transition in 2011.

10.4 Newspapers

Locally published newspapers in Ma'anshan include Wanjiang Evening News and Ma'anshan Daily.

11. Sister Cities

Hamilton, Canada
Isezaki, Japan
Changwon, South Korea
Arganda del Rey, Spain
Kogarah, Australia (also known as Kogarah City)
Galesburg, United States
Tlanepantla, Mexico
Zapala, Argentina

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A saddle-shaped mountain range resembling a horse saddle along the banks of the Yangtze River.

Yushan District

Huashan District

Among the city's permanent residents, the Han Chinese population is 2,144,115, accounting for 99.27%; the population of various ethnic minorities is 15,815, accounting for 0.73%.

Camphor tree

Osmanthus