Xuancheng (宣城)

1. Introduction

Xuancheng City, abbreviated as Xuan, historically known as Yuanling, Wanling, and Xuanzhou, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, located in the southeastern part of Anhui Province. The city borders Wuhu City and Ma'anshan City to the northwest, Chizhou City to the west, Huangshan City to the south, Hangzhou City and Huzhou City of Zhejiang Province to the east, and Wuxi City, Changzhou City, and Nanjing City of Jiangsu Province to the north. It lies at the transition zone between the eastern part of the Southern Anhui Mountains and the plains along the Yangtze River, with the Huangshan and Tianmu Mountain ranges in the southeast. Rivers flowing north into the Yangtze River system include the Qingyi River, Shuiyang River, and Langchuan River. In the northern part of the city, the Nanyi Lake collects water from the Langchuan River and other rivers, which then flows into the Shuiyang River. The city covers a total area of 12,313 square kilometers, with a permanent population of 2.5001 million. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 31 Aofeng East Road, Xuanzhou District. Xuancheng serves as the southeastern gateway of Anhui Province and is a member city of the Nanjing Metropolitan Area, the Wanjiang City Belt Industrial Transfer Demonstration Zone, the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration, and an observer city of the Hangzhou Metropolitan Area.

Xuancheng City has a history of over two thousand years since the establishment of a prefecture in the Western Han Dynasty. Xuanzhou, the city's administrative district, served as the seat of government for multiple dynasties. Xuancheng gained prominence during the Tang Dynasty and maintained its reputation through the Ming and Qing Dynasties, becoming one of the cultural centers of the Jiangnan region. Xuan paper, named for its distribution from this area, is produced here, making Xuancheng the "Hometown of the Four Treasures of the Study" in China.

nix

2. History

2.1 Pre-Qin to Northern and Southern Dynasties Period

As a political, economic, and cultural center in the Jiangnan region, Xuancheng boasts a long history. According to current archaeological findings, the earliest verifiable history in the Xuancheng area dates back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties, belonging to the expansion zone of the Liangzhu culture in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Starting from the Spring and Autumn period, the states of Wu, Yue, and Chu successively ruled the Xuancheng area.

The Qin Dynasty implemented the commandery-county system, and the Xuancheng area belonged to Zhang Commandery. In the second year of the Yuanfeng era of the Western Han Dynasty (109 BCE), the seat of Danyang Commandery was established at Wanling (present-day Xuanzhou District), and Xuancheng County was established there. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Xuancheng County was abolished but was reinstated no later than the reign of Emperor Huan. In the Jian'an era towards the end of the Han Dynasty, Ningguo County was established from the southern part of Wanling. During the Wu state of the Three Kingdoms period (221 CE), the seat of Danyang Commandery was moved to Jianye. During the Yong'an era of Emperor Sun Xiu of Wu (258–264 CE), the area south of Lishui County in Danyang Commandery was separated to form the new Guzhang Commandery, to which Ningguo County belonged. The commandery was abolished by the end of the Yong'an era. In the first year of the Wufeng era of Wu, the seat of Danyang Commandery was moved back to Wanling from Wuhu and remained there until the end of Wu. In the second year of the Taikang era of the Jin Dynasty (281 CE), Xuancheng Commandery was separated from Danyang Commandery, with its seat at Wanling. From then on, Xuancheng consistently existed as a prefecture or commandery-level administrative region. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Yuzhou was established in exile south of the Huai River in present-day Anhui, and Xuancheng Commandery belonged to it. During the Liu Song period, after Liu Yu recovered the area north of the Huai River, Yuzhou was established there, and the original Yuzhou south of the Huai River was renamed Nan Yuzhou (Southern Yuzhou). During the Chen Dynasty, Chenliu Commandery was established in exile from Xuancheng Commandery, with its seat in present-day Guangde County, and was later abolished.

2.2 Sui and Tang to Ming and Qing Dynasties

At the beginning of the Sui Dynasty, commanderies were abolished, and Nan Yuzhou was changed to Xuanzhou. It was soon changed from a prefecture to a commandery, called Xuancheng Commandery. In the third year of the Daye era (607 CE), Wanling County was renamed Xuancheng County. At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, Xuanzhou was established. It was briefly renamed Xuancheng Commandery in the middle period before reverting to Xuanzhou. In the third year of the Zhenyuan era (787 CE), the ten prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Zhexidao Jiedushi (Military Commissioner of Western Zhejiang Circuit) were divided into three circuits: Zhexidao, Zhedongdao, and Xuan-She Dao. Xuan-She Dao governed the three prefectures of Xuan, She, and Chi. In the second year of the Dashun era (891 CE), it was renamed the Ningguo Jiedushi (Military Commissioner) and remained unchanged through the Five Dynasties period. In the second year of the Qiandao era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1166 CE), because Emperor Xiaozong of Song had once resided within the jurisdiction of the Ningguo Army as his princely establishment, Xuanzhou was changed to Ningguo Prefecture. In the fourteenth year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1277 CE), Ningguo Prefecture was elevated to Ningguo Route. In the seventeenth year of the Zhizheng era (1357 CE), Zhu Yuanzhang changed Ningguo Route back to Ningguo Prefecture. In the twenty-first year of the Zhizheng era (1361 CE), he changed Ningguo Prefecture to Xuancheng Prefecture. In the twenty-sixth year of the Zhizheng era (1366 CE), Xuancheng Prefecture was changed to Xuanzhou Prefecture. In the first year of the Wu era (1367 CE), it was again called Ningguo Prefecture, with the county remaining as the prefectural seat. The Qing Dynasty followed this arrangement.

2.3 Republican Period to Present

During the Republican period, prefectures were abolished, and counties were retained. Xuancheng County belonged to Anhui Province. During this time, Xuancheng was successively part of the 9th and 6th Administrative Inspection Districts. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Xuancheng Special District was established in May 1949. In January 1952, the Xuancheng Special District was abolished, and its constituent counties were merged into the newly established Wuhu Special District (renamed Wuhu Prefecture in 1971). In February 1980, Wuhu Prefecture was renamed Xuancheng Prefecture. In April 1982, the administrative office moved to Xuancheng. In June 2000, the State Council of the People's Republic of China approved the abolition of Xuancheng Prefecture and the establishment of Xuancheng City. In February 2001, Xuancheng City was officially inaugurated.

3. Geography

3.1 Geographical Location

Xuancheng City is located in the transitional zone between the mountainous area of southern Anhui and the plains of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The terrain is higher in the south and lower in the north, predominantly characterized by hills. Within its administrative area, the northern part is mainly plains, the central part consists of hills and ridges, and the southern part features low mountains and hills. The Huangshan Mountain Range extends into the city from the southwest to the northwest, while the Tianmu Mountain Range stretches from western Zhejiang. Qingliang Peak, with an elevation of 1787.2 meters, is the highest peak in the city. The Jingting, Baishi, Shuixi, and Longxu mountains are lush and layered with peaks; the Qingyi River and Shuiyang River flow side by side.

3.2 Climate

Xuancheng's climate belongs to the subtropical monsoon climate type, characterized by the following features:

• Distinct Monsoons and Four Seasons: The region is situated in the mid-latitude zone, one of the areas most distinctly influenced by monsoon climate. Due to the thermal differences between land and sea, southerly winds from the ocean prevail in summer, while northerly winds from the inland prevail in winter. Summer is controlled by tropical maritime air masses, resulting in hot and rainy weather, while winter is controlled by Eurasian continental air masses, leading to cold and dry conditions with highly uneven annual rainfall distribution. Influenced by the monsoons, summer is the longest season in the city, lasting about 121 days; winter is next, about 102 days; spring is shorter, about 73 days; and autumn is the shortest, only about 69 days. The seasons are distinct: warm spring, hot summer, cool autumn, and cold winter.
• Synchronized Light and Temperature, Rain and Heat in the Same Season: Annual variations in sunshine and temperature trends are consistent, with precipitation concentrated in the warm seasons, especially summer and autumn.
• Humid Climate, Abundant Rainfall: The regional annual average temperature is 15.6°C, with the hottest month averaging 28.1°C and the coldest month averaging 2.7°C. The annual temperature range is 25.4°C, indicating a mild climate. The aridity index ranges from 0.68 to 0.90, classifying it as a humid climate zone. Rainfall is plentiful, with annual precipitation between 1200 and 1500 mm. The climate is humid and temperate, with a frost-free period lasting up to 8 months.
• Diverse Climate, Frequent Meteorological Disasters: Due to the complex terrain and relatively large mountains within the area, meteorological elements exhibit different distribution patterns and regularities depending on the slope aspect and gradient of the mountains, creating a three-dimensional climate landscape. The various types of topographic climates and local microclimates are conducive to diversified agricultural operations. However, meteorological disasters are also relatively frequent, such as local flash floods and large-scale droughts or floods caused by uneven spatiotemporal distribution of precipitation; severe winds, heavy rain, hail, and sleet accompanying abnormal changes in certain meteorological elements; and crop diseases and pests induced by suitable climatic conditions.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-------------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------------| | Avg High °C | 7.7 | 10 | 14.7 | 21.3 | 26.6 | 29.2 | 33.1 | 32.3 | 27.8 | 22.8 | 16.7 | 10.5 | 21.1 | | Avg High °F | 45.9 | 50 | 58.5 | 70.3 | 79.9 | 84.6 | 91.6 | 90.1 | 82 | 73 | 62.1 | 50.9 | 69.9 | | Daily Mean °C | 3.2 | 5.5 | 9.7 | 15.9 | 21.4 | 24.7 | 28.3 | 27.6 | 23.2 | 17.5 | 11.1 | 5.2 | 16.1 | | Daily Mean °F | 37.8 | 41.9 | 49.5 | 60.6 | 70.5 | 76.5 | 82.9 | 81.7 | 73.8 | 63.5 | 52 | 41.4 | 61 | | Avg Low °C | 0 | 2.1 | 5.8 | 11.6 | 17 | 21.1 | 24.6 | 24.1 | 19.8 | 13.6 | 7 | 1.5 | 12.4 | | Avg Low °F | 32 | 35.8 | 42.4 | 52.9 | 62.6 | 70 | 76.3 | 75.4 | 67.6 | 56.5 | 44.6 | 34.7 | 54.2 | | Avg Precipitation mm | 69.2 | 69.3 | 121.1 | 119 | 136.8 | 232.8 | 190.1 | 144.7 | 89 | 74.6 | 68.9 | 41.7 | 1,357.20 | | Avg Precipitation in | 2.72 | 2.73 | 4.77 | 4.69 | 5.39 | 9.17 | 7.48 | 5.7 | 3.5 | 2.94 | 2.71 | 1.64 | 53.44 | | Avg Rel Humidity % | 79 | 78 | 77 | 76 | 76 | 81 | 80 | 82 | 82 | 80 | 79 | 77 | 79 |

3.3 Hydrology

The rivers and lakes in the Xuancheng region primarily belong to the Yangtze River basin. The Maotan River in the southeast of Ningguo City flows toward the Qiantang River. Jixi County, originally part of Huizhou, serves as the watershed divide between the Yangtze River basin and the Qiantang River basin. Most rivers within Jixi flow toward the Qiantang River, with a few, such as the Huishui River, flowing toward the Yangtze. The region features two major river systems: the Qingyi River and the Shuiyang River. Lakes include Nanyi Lake and part of Gucheng Lake. Specifically, the Qingyi River originates from the northern foothills of Huangshan, enters the area at Chen Village in Jing County, flows through Jing County, Nanling County, Xuanzhou District, and Wuhu County, and joins the Yangtze River in Wuhu City. The Shuiyang River originates within Jixi County at the northern foothills of Tianmu Mountain, flows through the Guxi River in Dangtu County, and enters the Yangtze River at Jinzhu Pass. Nanyi Lake is located in the northern polder area of Xuancheng City and Langxi County. Gucheng Lake lies between Gaochun County in Jiangsu Province and Xuancheng City in this region.

4. Administrative Divisions

Xuancheng City currently administers 1 district, 4 counties, and oversees 2 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• District: Xuanzhou District
• County-level Cities: Ningguo City, Guangde City
• Counties: Langxi County, Jing County, Jixi County, Jingde County | Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | of which: Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|-------------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|-------------------------------| | 341800 | Xuancheng City | Xuānchéng Shì | 12,312.55 | 2,500,063 | Xuanzhou District | 242000 | 15 | 62 | 18 | 1 | | 341802 | Xuanzhou District | Xuānzhōu Qū | 2,585.14 | 774,332 | Jichuan Subdistrict | 242000 | 9 | 14 | 3 | | | 341821 | Langxi County | Lángxī Xiàn | 1,100.55 | 311,513 | Jianping Town | 242100 | | 7 | 2 | | | 341823 | Jing County | Jīng Xiàn | 2,033.23 | 275,837 | Jingchuan Town | 242500 | | 9 | 2 | | | 341824 | Jixi County | Jìxī Xiàn | 1,103.63 | 138,784 | Huayang Town | 245300 | | 8 | 3 | | | 341825 | Jingde County | Jīngdé Xiàn | 907 | 112,368 | Jingyang Town | 242600 | | 10 | | | | 341881 | Ningguo City | Níngguó Shì | 2,466.90 | 388,097 | Xijin Subdistrict | 242300 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 1 | | 341882 | Guangde City | Guǎngdé Shì | 2,116.10 | 499,132 | Taozhou Town | 242200 | | 6 | 3 | |

5. Economy

Since the reform and opening-up, particularly after 2000, Xuancheng's economy has developed rapidly. According to data from the Xuancheng Municipal Bureau of Statistics, Xuancheng's regional GDP in 2010 was 52.57 billion yuan, an increase of 15.0% over the previous year. Specifically, the added value of the primary industry was 8.85 billion yuan, up by 4.6%; the secondary industry achieved an added value of 24.82 billion yuan, up by 23.3%; and the tertiary industry achieved an added value of 18.90 billion yuan, up by 10.6%. Calculated based on the resident population, the per capita GDP was 21,028 yuan. The industrial structure of the three sectors changed from 18.1:43.5:38.4 in the previous year to 16.8:47.2:36.0, with the proportion of the secondary and tertiary industries increasing by 1.3 percentage points compared to the previous year. The industrialization rate rose from 34.5% in the previous year to 38.4%.

At the 8th Plenary Session of the 2nd Xuancheng Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China on December 29, 2010, the Xuancheng Municipal Government evaluated the city's development achievements over the past five years (the "11th Five-Year Plan" period) as follows:

"Compared with the end of the '10th Five-Year Plan' period, all major economic indicators have doubled, significant achievements have been made in economic and social development, and tremendous changes have taken place in both urban and rural areas. Through five years of hard work, our city's economic growth has further accelerated, comprehensive strength has further improved, development potential has further strengthened, and people's lives have further improved. Major progress has been made in economic, political, cultural, social, ecological civilization, and Party construction, writing a new chapter in Xuancheng's reform and development."

With the rapid economic development, the living standards of the people in Xuancheng have also greatly improved, but the wealth gap has continued to widen. Within the urban area of Xuancheng, many families own at least one car, and some families own two or even more houses. In the city center, commerce and services are relatively developed, with numerous pedestrians and vehicles, and even traffic congestion occurs on main roads during peak hours. However, in the rural areas under the city's jurisdiction, many people still live in poverty, with some even residing in dilapidated and dangerous houses.

5.1 Agriculture

Xuancheng, belonging to a subtropical monsoon climate, experiences distinct seasons throughout the year, with simultaneous rainfall and heat, and relatively abundant precipitation, which is conducive to agricultural production. However, due to the relatively low level of agricultural mechanization in Xuancheng, this advantage has not been fully utilized. In 2010, Xuancheng's total grain output was 1.345 million tons, an increase of 0.6%.

Output of Major Agricultural Products in Xuancheng City, 2010 | Product Name | Output (10,000 tons) | Growth Compared to Previous Year (%) | |------|--------|----------| | Summer Grain | 22.4 | 3.5 | | Oil-bearing Crops | 11.1 | -9.9 | | Flue-cured Tobacco | 1.1 | 19.3 | | Tea | 2.5 | -1.1 | | Vegetables | 69.2 | 2 | | Fruits | 21.1 | 3.4 |

In 2010, Xuancheng completed afforestation of 102,900 mu, converted farmland to forest area of 21,400 mu, and carried out forest tending and management of 197,500 mu. The forest coverage rate reached 55.0%, an increase of 0.1 percentage points over the previous year. The annual total meat output was 198,000 tons, up by 0.5% over the previous year. Poultry egg output was 47,000 tons, up by 2.7%. Milk output was 1,000 tons, up by 2.0%. The annual aquatic product output was 98,000 tons, up by 4.1%. Throughout the year, 1,100 hectares of new effective irrigation area and 340 hectares of new water-saving irrigation area were added. By the end of the year, the total power of agricultural machinery was 2.074 million kilowatts, an increase of 4.9% over the previous year; the number of agricultural tractors reached 54,000, a decrease of 0.8%, and the number of combine harvesters reached 3,342, an increase of 3.3%.

5.2 Industry and Construction

Xuancheng's industrial foundation is weak, and the limited industrial base accumulated over the long term was largely lost during the War of Resistance Against Japan. After the founding of the People's Republic, industrial development in Xuancheng started relatively late but progressed rapidly. In 2010, Xuancheng's total industrial output value exceeded 100 billion yuan for the first time. Among this, the added value of heavy industry was 21.87 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 28.2%, while the added value of light industry was 7.00 billion yuan, an increase of 29.4%. Although the growth was significant, the government's focus on industrial development neglected environmental protection, leading to a decline in air quality across the city and varying degrees of pollution in rivers.

In 2010, the city's "industrial enterprises above designated size" achieved main business revenue of 96.31 billion yuan, an increase of 49.6% over the previous year; total profits reached 4.68 billion yuan, an increase of 98.6% over the previous year; and finished goods inventory was 3.85 billion yuan, an increase of 9.4% over the previous year. The comprehensive economic efficiency index of industrial enterprises above designated size in the city reached 245.73, an increase of 55.75 points over the previous year, marking the highest historical level for the city's comprehensive industrial economic efficiency index.

Among the output of major industrial products, rubber parts and accessories grew by 108.1%, plastic products by 67.9%, refined tea by 68.8%, electricity generation by 167.1%, motor vehicle (automobile) parts by 40.6%, steel products by 85.7%, copper products by 19.4%, and aluminum products by 29.4%.

Xuancheng's construction industry, especially the real estate sector, has grown rapidly in recent years. In 2010, the added value of the city's construction industry in the whole society was 4.64 billion yuan, an increase of 11.3% over the previous year. Construction enterprises of Grade III and above completed building construction area of 7.185 million square meters, an increase of 17.4% over the previous year; completed area was 3.128 million square meters, an increase of 4.7% over the previous year. Critics argue that the rapid development of the real estate industry has triggered speculative housing activities, leading to excessively fast increases in housing prices in the city.

6. Transportation

6.1 Highways

• National Highway 318
• National Highway 205
• G50 Shanghai–Chongqing Expressway
• S32 Xuancheng–Tongling Expressway
• S03 Nanjing–Xuancheng Expressway

6.2 Railways

• Hefei–Fuzhou Passenger Dedicated Line (China High-Speed Railway)
• Shangqiu–Hangzhou Passenger Dedicated Line (China High-Speed Railway)
• Xuancheng–Hangzhou Railway (China High-Speed Railway)
• Anhui–Jiangxi Railway (China High-Speed Railway)
• Zhenjiang–Xuancheng Railway (Planned, China High-Speed Railway)

6.3 Civil Aviation

• Wuhu Xuancheng Airport

7. Education

• Hefei University of Technology Xuancheng Campus
• Xuancheng Vocational and Technical College
• Anhui Xuancheng High School
• Xuancheng No. 2 Middle School
• Xuancheng No. 6 Middle School

8. Population

By the end of 2022, the permanent resident population of Xuancheng City was 2.495 million, an increase of 8,000 compared to the previous year. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 1.562 million, with an urbanization rate of 62.6%, an increase of 0.85 percentage points from the previous year.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 2,500,063. Compared to the 2,532,938 people recorded in the Sixth National Population Census, the population decreased by 32,875 over the ten-year period, a decline of 1.3%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.13%. Among them, the male population was 1,284,677, accounting for 51.39% of the total population, while the female population was 1,215,386, accounting for 48.61%. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 105.7. The population aged 0–14 was 340,992, accounting for 13.64% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,594,425, accounting for 63.78%; and the population aged 60 and above was 564,646, accounting for 22.59%, of which those aged 65 and above numbered 451,105, accounting for 18.04%. The urban population was 1,520,484, accounting for 60.82% of the total population, while the rural population was 979,579, accounting for 39.18%.

nix

9. Culture

9.1 Dialect

The original dialect of Xuancheng was the Xuancheng sub-dialect of the Xuancheng branch of Wu Chinese. However, due to external exchanges and immigration from the Jianghuai Mandarin-speaking area, the external dialect of Xuancheng has shifted to Jianghuai Mandarin. Only some families still use Wu Chinese as their internal dialect.

9.2 Local Products

Xuancheng boasts abundant local products. These include Nanhu silver fish, Shuiyang river crabs, Shuidong honey dates, Guangde bamboo chestnuts, Ningguo mountain walnuts, and a series of green teas led by Jingting Green Snow and Yongxi Fire Green. All are renowned local specialties. Among them, Xuan paper, Xuan writing brushes, Jingde three hemps, Jixi silk, Hui ink sticks, the Tang Dynasty "Xuancheng Red Thread Xuan Paper Carpet," the Song Dynasty "Xuancheng Zhuge Writing Brushes," the Ming Dynasty "Xuancheng Papaya," and "Xuancheng Snow Pears" are famous throughout China. Today, "Shuidong Amber Dates," "Jingting Green Snow Tea," "Langxi Ruicaokui Tea," "Ningguo Huanghua Yunjian Tea," "Jingxian Red Star Xuan Paper," and "Jixi Plum Blossom White Factory Silk" enjoy a certain reputation both domestically and internationally. In 2004, Xuancheng was awarded the title "Hometown of China's Four Treasures of the Study." Ningguo was granted the titles "Hometown of China's Mountain Walnuts" and "Hometown of China's Moso Bamboo."

9.3 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Site of the New Fourth Army Headquarters
• Ancestral Hall of the Hu Clan in Longchuan
• Twin Pagodas of Guangjiao Temple
• Chenshan Site
• Shuixi Twin Pagodas
• Ancient Architectural Complex of Zhaji
• Ancient Architectural Complex of Jiang Village
• Ancient Architectural Complex of Huangtian Village
• Maozhushan and Guanshan Sites
• Jixi Section of the Ancient Huizhou-Hangzhou Route and Langxi Section of the Eastern Line of the Ancient Huizhou Route
• Tumulus Tombs in Jianping Town
• Tianshou Temple Pagoda
• Xianren Pagoda
• Yishi Shangshu Memorial Archway and Hu Bingheng's Residence
• Ancient Architectural Complex of Shangzhuang
• Jingde Confucian Temple
• Former Residence of Wang Jiaxiang

9.4 Scenic Spots

• Xie Tiao Tower
• Jingting Mountain National Forest Park
• Taiji Cave, a National Key Scenic Area, located in Guangde City in the eastern part of the prefecture.

10. Sister Cities

Japan, Shikokuchuo City - January 2005 (The original sister city agreement between Xuanzhou City and Kawanoe City was signed in 1995)

nix

nix

nix

nix

Xuanzhou District

Xuanzhou District

nix

nix

nix