Rizhao (日照)

1. Introduction

Rizhao City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Shandong Province, the People's Republic of China. It is located in the southeastern part of Shandong Province and derives its name from the phrase "the first light of sunrise shines here." The city borders Qingdao and Weifang to the north, Linyi to the west, Lianyungang in Jiangsu Province to the south, and faces the Yellow Sea to the east. Situated in the hilly region of eastern Shandong, the terrain is higher in the north and lower in the east, with the Wulian Mountain located in the northern part. Major rivers include the Shu River, Wei River, Futuan River, Chaobai River, and Xiuzhen River. The municipal government is located at No. 198 Beijing Road, Donggang District. Foreign trade and fisheries are important components of Rizhao's economy, and Rizhao Port is a significant coastal port in southern Shandong. The city holds honors such as National Civilized City and National Health City. It has hosted the China Water Sports Games multiple times and is known as the "Capital of Water Sports." Rizhao will independently host the 25th Shandong Provincial Games in 2022.

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2. History

2.1 Pre-Qin to Late Qing Dynasty

As early as the primitive society period (early and middle Paleolithic Age), ancient inhabitants lived and multiplied here, creating their own culture. According to archaeological research, cultural remains from the early and middle Paleolithic Age (the period of Peking Man) and the late Neolithic Age, including those of the Dawenkou culture and the Shandong Longshan culture, have been discovered in locations such as Lingyang River in Ju County and Liangcheng Town in Donggang District.

During the Xia and Shang dynasties, Rizhao belonged to the Dongyi region. The Lüshi Chunqiu states that Jiang Taigong, a prominent figure in the early Western Zhou Dynasty, was "a scholar from Dongyi." Southeast of Fengjiagou Village in Qinlou Subdistrict, there is Jianggong Terrace, which is traditionally regarded as the site where Taigong fished. The Records of the Grand Historian also describes him as a person from the East Sea. The Qi Sheng records: "Taigong was a native of Donglü Township in Haiqu County."

From the Western Zhou to the early Warring States period, Rizhao was part of the State of Ju. In the 22nd year of Duke Ai of Lu (473 BCE), King Goujian of Yue destroyed the State of Wu and moved the capital to Langya (present-day Langya Town), bringing Rizhao under Yue control. In the first year of King Jian of Chu (431 BCE), Chu conquered Ju and established it as a prefecture, placing Rizhao under Chu's rule, and later under Qi. In the 31st year of King Nan of Zhou (284 BCE), the Yan general Yue Yi attacked Qi and captured its capital, Linzi. The King of Qi fled to Ju, where the people of Ju enthroned Prince Fazhang as King Xiang of Qi. In 270 BCE, the Qi general Tian Dan defeated the Yan army, recovered all lost Qi territories, and welcomed King Xiang of Qi back to Linzi. Rizhao then belonged to Qi. In 255 BCE, Chu invaded northward again, captured Lu, and enfeoffed the ruler of Lu in Ju. Rizhao was also occupied by Chu. In 223 BCE, Qin conquered Chu, and Rizhao returned to Qin's control. In the 26th year of Qin Shi Huang (221 BCE), Qin unified China, and Rizhao became the eastern territory of Ju County, under Langya Commandery.

During the Western Han Dynasty, the Rizhao area was first established as a county named Haiqu, under Langya Commandery in the Xuzhou Inspectorate. During the reign of Emperor Yuan of Han, Guang, the son of the Prince of Chengyanghuang, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Kunshan. The western half of Rizhao (present-day Wulian County) belonged to the Marquisate of Kunshan. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Marquisate of Kunshan was abolished, and Rizhao was renamed Xihai County, under the Kingdom of Langya.

During the Cao Wei period of the Three Kingdoms, Xihai County was abolished and merged into Ju, under Chengyang Commandery in Qingzhou. In the early Western Jin Dynasty, the administrative system of Wei was followed.

After Emperor Ming of Liu Song lost the territories north of the Huai River, the Rizhao area, along with Ju County, came under the rule of Northern Wei's Nangqingzhou Dongguan Commandery (present-day Yishui). In 529 CE, Liangxiang County was established at the site of present-day Liangcheng Town in Donggang District, under Dongwu Commandery in Jiaozhou. During the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Nangqingzhou was renamed Juzhou, with the commanderies and counties remaining unchanged. In the Sui Dynasty, Rizhao was part of Ju County in Langya Commandery.

During the Tang Dynasty, Rizhao, along with Ju County, belonged to Mizhou (Gaomi Commandery) in the Henan Circuit. This arrangement continued through the Five Dynasties period.

In the Northern Song Dynasty, it was part of Mizhou in the Jingdong East Circuit. In 1087, Rizhao Town was established, still under Ju County. The name "Rizhao" originated from this time, meaning "the first light of the sun shines here." Later, Rizhao Town was incorporated into Jiaoxi County, and the Jingdong East Circuit was renamed Shandong East Circuit.

In the 24th year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty (1184), Rizhao Town was elevated to a county, still named Rizhao, with its seat at present-day Rizhao City, under Juzhou in Yidu Prefecture.

During the Yuan Dynasty, Rizhao County was part of Juzhou in Yidu Route, Shandong East-West Circuit, under the Zhongshu Sheng. In the early Ming Dynasty, Rizhao belonged to Juzhou in Qingzhou Prefecture, under the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission. During the Hongwu era, to defend against Japanese pirates, Andong Guard was established in the southern part of the county.

In 1668, the Tancheng earthquake occurred, resulting in 50,000 deaths in Linyi.

In the early Qing Dynasty, the Ming system was followed. In the 8th year of the Yongzheng era (1730), Ju was elevated to a directly-administered department. In 1734, Yizhou Prefecture was established, and Juzhou was downgraded to a regular department, with Rizhao under Yizhou Prefecture. In the 7th year of the Qianlong era (1742), Andong Guard was abolished and merged into Rizhao County, with the Andong Guard Inspection Office established.

2.2 Republic of China

• February 1913: Incorporated into the Jiaodong Circuit.
• Winter 1925: Transferred to the Langya Circuit.
• 1928: The circuit system was abolished, and it came directly under the Shandong Provincial Government.
• February 1936: Under the jurisdiction of the Third Administrative Inspectorate of Shandong Province. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Rizhao County Government of the Nationalist Government remained under this inspectorate.
• March 16, 1940: The Rizhao County Anti-Japanese Democratic Government under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party was established.
• January 1941: Under the jurisdiction of the Joint Office of Ju, Ri, Lin, and Gan Counties, which was later renamed the Joint Administrative Office of Coastal Counties.
• August 1941: Under the Coastal Inspectorate.
• June 1944: Under the Coastal District Central Administrative Office (Third Administrative Office).
• April 1945: The Coastal Inspectorate was changed to an Administrative Office.
• July 1946: The Coastal Administrative Office was changed to the Coastal Administrative Inspectorate, with Rizhao under its jurisdiction.
• August 1948: Under the Sixth Inspectorate of the Lunan Administrative Office, renamed the Coastal Inspectorate in July of the following year.

2.3 People's Republic of China

• In 1950, Rizhao was transferred to the Yishui Inspectorate. In August 1953, it was incorporated into the Jiaozhou Inspectorate. In May 1956, it was transferred to the Linyi Inspectorate.
• In 1979, the Ministry of Communications and other state departments selected "Shijiusuo" south of Rizhao County to build a deep-water port—Shijiu Port. This profoundly influenced the city's development.
• April 1984: The Shijiu Port Office of the Linyi Administrative Office was established.
• March 22, 1985: With the approval of the State Council, Rizhao County and the Shijiu Office were abolished and reorganized into Rizhao City, still under the Linyi Administrative Office. Official operations began in May.
• June 12, 1989: With the approval of the State Council, Rizhao City was upgraded to a prefecture-level city. Official external operations began on November 5.
• December 7, 1992: Rizhao City established districts and incorporated counties, transferring Ju County from Linyi Prefecture and Wulian County from Weifang City to Rizhao City, while establishing Donggang District.
• May 29, 1993: The Lanshan Office was established as a dispatched agency of the municipal government. In 2004, the Lanshan Office was abolished, and Lanshan District was established.
• August 20, 1993: The Rizhao Development Zone was established. In February 2002, it was renamed the Rizhao Economic Development Zone. In April 2010, with the approval of the State Council, the Rizhao Economic and Technological Development Zone was officially upgraded to a national-level economic and technological development zone, implementing policies applicable to national-level development zones.
• September 12, 1995: The provincial government approved the establishment of the Shanhaitian Tourist Resort.
• December 2011: The Rizhao International Ocean City Working Committee and Management Committee were established as dispatched agencies of the municipal party committee and government exercising municipal-level management authority. The entire Taoluo Town was placed under the administration of Rizhao International Ocean City. Simultaneously, the Rizhao International Ocean City Investment Company was established to undertake the investment, construction, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure and public facilities in the Ocean City.
• December 2016: The Rizhao International Ocean City Working Committee and Management Committee were abolished.

3. Geography

Rizhao City is located on the coast of the Yellow Sea in the southeastern part of Shandong Province, between 118°25′ and 119°39′ east longitude and 35°04′ and 36°04′ north latitude. It borders the Yellow Sea to the east, Linyi City to the west, Lianyungang City of Jiangsu Province to the south, and Qingdao City and Weifang City to the north. The city stretches approximately 82 kilometers from north to south and 90 kilometers from east to west, with a total area of 5,359 square kilometers. The climate is a semi-humid warm temperate monsoon climate with strong continental influences. The annual average temperature is 12.6°C, with the coldest month, January, averaging -0.3°C and the hottest month, August, averaging 25.7°C. The average annual precipitation is 874 millimeters. The frost-free period lasts 213 days. The terrain within the city is diverse, featuring a rich variety of natural landscapes including plains, hills, water bodies, wetlands, and ocean.

Rizhao City belongs to the Ludong Hills. The general topography features mountains at the back and sea at the front, with the central area higher than the surroundings, sloping slightly to the southeast. Mountains, hills, and plains are distributed alternately. The highest point is Ma'er Mountain in Wulian County, with an elevation of 706 meters; the lowest point is Donghaiyu Village in Donggang District, with an elevation of 1 to 1.5 meters. Mountains account for 17.5% of the total area, hills for 57.2%, and plains for 25.3%.

The area is crisscrossed by rivers, which belong to the Shu River and Wei River systems. Except for the Wei River, which flows into the Bohai Sea, the others flow into the Yellow Sea. There are 18 larger rivers with a total length of 461.4 kilometers and a basin area of 5,222.7 square kilometers. The Shu River originates from the southern foothills of Yishan Mountain, with a section length of 76.5 kilometers within the city and a basin area of 1,718.4 square kilometers. The Wei River runs through Wulian County and Ju County, with a section length of 121.4 kilometers within the city and a basin area of 1,350.2 square kilometers. The Futuan River is the only major river entirely within the city, with a total length of 73.5 kilometers and a basin area of 1,060 square kilometers. Rizhao has no natural lakes. Artificial lakes include three large reservoirs—Rizhao, Qingfengling, and Xiaoshiyang—and ten medium-sized reservoirs such as Maling, Jufeng, Hubuling, and Qiaoshan, with a total storage capacity of 959.13 million cubic meters.

The coastline of Rizhao is located in the central part of the Yellow Sea, characterized by connected capes and bays. It stretches from the Tianshui River estuary in the north to the Xiuzhen River estuary in the south, with a total length of 99.6 kilometers, forming a relatively straight bedrock and gravel coast. The coastline features two natural harbors, Shijiu Bay and Foshou Bay, along with the Rizhao Port Group consisting of Rizhao Port and Lanshan Port. Nearby islands include Taohua Island and Chufeng Island; farther out are the "Qian San Dao" (Front Three Islands)—Ping Island, Dashan Island, and Cheniushan Island—with a total area of 0.321 square kilometers. The coastal tidal flats cover 76,000 mu. The shallow sea area is vast, with 300,000 mu at the 10-meter isobath and 1 million mu suitable for aquaculture at the 20-meter isobath. The potential for marine resource development and utilization is significant.

There are 4,358 mountains and hills of various sizes within Rizhao. The western part belongs to the Taiyi Mountain range, mostly trending southeast-northwest; the northern mountains mostly trend north-south and southwest-northeast; the central and southern parts have seven discontinuous mountain ranges with varying orientations; the eastern part belongs to the Jiaodong Hills. There are 39 peaks with elevations above 500 meters.

Meteorological Data of Rizhao City (1971–2000)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-------------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------| | Record high °C (°F) | 14.6 (58.3) | 19.0 (66.2) | 22.2 (72.0) | 31.1 (88.0) | 35.7 (96.3) | 38.3 (100.9) | 37.9 (100.2) | 35.4 (95.7) | 35.6 (96.1) | 30.2 (86.4) | 24.6 (76.3) | 17.9 (64.2) | 38.3 (100.9) | | Average high °C (°F)| 3.7 (38.7) | 5.3 (41.5) | 9.4 (48.9) | 15.6 (60.1) | 20.8 (69.4) | 24.4 (75.9) | 27.7 (81.9) | 28.6 (83.5) | 25.5 (77.9) | 20.3 (68.5) | 13.0 (55.4) | 6.5 (43.7) | 16.7 (62.1) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -0.3 (31.5) | 1.2 (34.2) | 5.5 (41.9) | 11.5 (52.7) | 16.9 (62.4) | 21.2 (70.2) | 25.1 (77.2) | 25.7 (78.3) | 21.8 (71.2) | 16.0 (60.8) | 8.6 (47.5) | 2.2 (36.0) | 12.9 (55.3) | | Average low °C (°F) | -3.7 (25.3) | -2.0 (28.4) | 2.2 (36.0) | 8.2 (46.8) | 13.6 (56.5) | 18.6 (65.5) | 22.8 (73.0) | 23.0 (73.4) | 18.1 (64.6) | 12.0 (53.6) | 4.8 (40.6) | -1.3 (29.7) | 9.7 (49.5) | | Record low °C (°F) | -13.8 (7.2) | -12.6 (9.3) | -7.1 (19.2) | -2.5 (27.5) | 5.9 (42.6) | 11.5 (52.7) | 14.9 (58.8) | 16.4 (61.5) | 9.4 (48.9) | 0.5 (32.9) | -7.2 (19.0) | -12.2 (10.0) | -13.8 (7.2) | | Avg. precip. mm (in)| 13.5 (0.53) | 17.8 (0.70) | 25.2 (0.99) | 41.4 (1.63) | 66.4 (2.61) | 102.1 (4.02) | 188.8 (7.43) | 161.7 (6.37) | 78.0 (3.07) | 48.4 (1.91) | 29.9 (1.18) | 11.3 (0.44) | 784.5 (30.88) | | Average precipitation days (≥0.1 mm) | 3.3 | 4.2 | 5.4 | 6.9 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 13.6 | 11.0 | 7.5 | 6.1 | 5.1 | 3.3 | 83.8 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Rizhao City currently administers 2 municipal districts and 2 counties.

• Municipal Districts: Donggang District, Lanshan District
• Counties: Wulian County, Ju County

Rizhao Economic and Technological Development Zone is a national-level economic and technological development zone established by Rizhao City.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 371100 | Rizhao City | Rizhao Shi | 5,358.57 | 2,968,365 | Donggang District | 276800 | 15 | 36 | 4 | | 371102 | Donggang District | Donggang Qu | 1,264.99 | 1,172,205 | Rizhao Subdistrict | 276800 | 7 | 7 | | | 371103 | Lanshan District | Lanshan Qu | 778.31 | 379,308 | Andongwei Subdistrict | 276800 | 2 | 6 | 1 | | 371121 | Wulian County | Wulian Xian | 1,496.96 | 443,600 | Hongning Subdistrict | 262300 | 2 | 8 | 2 | | 371122 | Ju County | Ju Xian | 1,818.32 | 973,252 | Chengyang Subdistrict | 276500 | 4 | 15 | 1 |

5. Economy

5.1 Agriculture

The province serves as a base for grain, oil, and aquatic seedling production, as well as pig farming. Its coastal areas are abundant in over 80 species of economic fish, shrimp, scallops, Coelomactra antiquata, and other seafood delicacies.

5.2 Industry

Steel, papermaking, light industry, textiles, machinery, chemicals, power, building materials, food, and salt production, among others.

• In 2006, the engine plant of Hyundai Motor Group from South Korea was established in the Rizhao Economic and Technological Development Zone.

6. Transportation

• Maritime Shipping: The Rizhao Port (including Shijiu Port Area and Lanshan Port Area) operates around the clock.
• Railways: The Yanzhou-Shijiu Railway and Pingdu-Lanshan Railway traverse the region. The Yanzhou-Shijiu Railway intersects with the north-south trunk line, the Tianjin-Pukou Railway, in Yanzhou. The Jiaozhou-Xinyi Railway passes through Wulian County and Ju County. The Qingdao-Yancheng Railway runs through Rizhao. Rizhao is also the starting station of the Rizhao-Lankao High-Speed Railway (Lunan High-Speed Railway).
• Highways: Multiple national and provincial highways pass through Rizhao. The G15 Tongjiang-Sanya Expressway and the Rizhao-Dongying Expressway intersect here. Planned expressways include the Rizhao-Zaozhuang route, while the Rizhao-Weifang Expressway is already open to traffic. National Highway 228 also runs through the area.
• Aviation: The Rizhao Shanzihe International Airport commenced operations on December 22, 2015. It offers flights to major domestic cities and has opened a Rizhao-South Korea route.

7. Education

7.1 Public Higher Education Institutions:

• Qufu Normal University Rizhao Campus
• Shandong Sport University Rizhao Campus
• Jining Medical University Rizhao Campus
• Rizhao Polytechnic
• Shandong Water Conservancy Vocational College

7.2 Private Higher Education Institutions:

• Shandong Foreign Languages Vocational and Technical University
• Rizhao Navigation Engineering Vocational College

7.3 Regular High Schools:

• Rizhao No.1 High School
• Rizhao Experimental High School
• Rizhao Haiqu High School
• Rizhao Huanghai High School
• Lanshan No.1 High School
• Rizhao No.3 High School
• Juxian No.1 High School
• Juxian Wenxin High School
• Juxian No.2 High School
• Juxian No.4 High School
• Juxian Experimental High School
• Wulian No.1 High School
• Wulian Middle School (formerly Wulian No.3 High School)
• Private: Rizhao Xianghe Experimental School (High School Division), Rizhao Shanhai Middle School, Rizhao Qingshan School

7.4 Secondary Vocational Education:

• Rizhao Technician College

8. Population

By the end of 2022, the city's total registered population was 3.0791 million, a decrease of 16,400 people compared to the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban resident population was 1.5192 million.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 2,968,365. Compared with the 2,801,013 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 167,352 people over the ten years, a growth of 5.97%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.58%. Among them, the male population was 1,509,556, accounting for 50.85% of the total population; the female population was 1,458,809, accounting for 49.15% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 103.48. The population aged 0-14 was 544,955, accounting for 18.36% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 1,757,495, accounting for 59.21% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 665,915, accounting for 22.43% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 475,835, accounting for 16.03% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 1,814,663, accounting for 61.13% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 1,153,702, accounting for 38.87% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 2,959,575, accounting for 99.7%; the combined population of various ethnic minorities was 8,790, accounting for 0.3%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population increased by 162,930, a growth of 5.83%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.14 percentage points; the combined population of various ethnic minorities increased by 4,422, a growth of 101.24%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.14 percentage points.

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9. Sister Cities

• Trabzon, Turkey (December 23, 1991)
• Gisborne, New Zealand (August 3, 1996)
• Muroran, Japan (July 26, 2002)
• Coatzacoalcos, Mexico (November 24, 2005)
• Dangjin County, South Korea (October 25, 2003)
• Türkmenabat, Turkmenistan (October 25, 2003)
• Vendôme, France (September 12, 2018)

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The sun, at its first rising, casts its light first.

Donggang District

Donggang District

Han Chinese account for 99.7% of the population; ethnic minorities account for 0.3%.

Ginkgo tree

Osmanthus