Qiqihar

Qiqihar 齐齐哈尔市 Prefecture-level city Nickname(s): The Crane City (鹤城) Qiqihar (red) in Heilongjiang (orange) Qiqihar Location of the city centre in Heilongjiang Coordinates: Country People's Republic of China Province Heilongjiang County-level divisions 16 towns and townships 156 villages 1361 Established 1125 Municipal seat Jianhua District Government  • Type Prefecture-level city  • CPC Qiqihar Secretary Han Dongyan（韩冬炎）  • Mayor Sun Zhe(孙喆) Area  • Prefecture-level city 42,205.82 km2 (16,295.76 sq mi)  • Urban 4,039.3 km2 (1,559.6 sq mi)  • Metro 970.3 km2 (374.6 sq mi) Elevation 147 m (482 ft) Population (2010)  • Prefecture-level city 5,367,003  • Density 130/km2 (330/sq mi)  • Urban 1,481,637  • Urban density 370/km2 (950/sq mi)  • Metro 979,517  • Metro density 1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi) Time zone China Standard (UTC+8) Postal code 161000 Area code(s) 0452 GDP CNY 106.58billion License Plate 黑B Administrative division code 230200 ISO 3166-2 CN-23-02 Website http://www.qqhr.gov.cn/

Qiqihar
Traditional Chinese	齊齊哈爾
Simplified Chinese	齐齐哈尔
Postal	Tsitsihar
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Qíqíhāěr Wade–Giles Ch'i2-ch'i2-ha1-erh3

Qiqihar (simplified Chinese: 齐齐哈尔; traditional Chinese: 齊齊哈爾; pinyin: Qíqíhāěr; Manchu: Cicigar ᠴᡳᠴᡳᡤᠠᡵ) is one of the 13 Larger Municipalities in China, and the second largest city in the Heilongjiang province, People's Republic of China. The built-up (or metro) area made up of Longsha, Tiefeng and Jianhua districts had 979,517 inhabitants, while the total population of the prefecture-level city was 5,367,003 at the 2010 census. These are mainly Han Chinese, though the city is also home to thirty-four minorities including Manchu, Daur, and Mongolians. Close to Qiqihar are numerous wetlands and the Zhalong Nature Reserve, famous in China for being home to numerous red-crowned cranes.

History

Early History

Gate of castle wall, Tsitsihar

Qiqihar is one of the oldest cities in the northeast of China. The region was originally settled by nomadic Daur and Tungus herdsmen. Qiqihar is a Daur word, which means border or natural pasture. The city's original name was Bukui (卜奎), the Chinese transcription of a Daur word meaning "auspicious". The city's oldest mosque, the Bukui Mosque, actually predates the foundation of the city itself by seven years. As the Czarist Russian eastward advance to the Pacific coast, Qiqihar became a major garrison center in 1674. In 1691, a stronghold was constructed in Qiqihar because of the Qing government's campaigns against the Mongols. Around 1700 it was a center for Russo-Chinese trade. A military depot with barracks and an arsenal was set up there, and many convicted criminals were exiled to the area. Heilongjiang Martial domiciled in Qiqihar City in 1699. The Qing Dynasty had initially intended to keep far-northern Heilongjiang province as a semi-pastoral area, separate from the wider Chinese agricultural economy, so it did not allow seasonal urban migrants, such as those from Hebei and Shandong who wished to participate in the Qiqihar fur trade, to own acres and transform the land. After the Russian Empire seized Outer Manchuria according to the unequal treaties of Aigun and Beijing, the Qing made the decision to lift the various restrictions it placed on Northeast China and on Heilongjiang residency in particular, in 1868, 1878, and 1904. It enlisted Han people to help teach the local Solon people farming techniques, providing materials and tax exemptions in order to convert them from hunting. In 1903, The completion of the Chinese Eastern Railway made Qiqihar a center for communications between China and Russia. A network of lines radiating from Qiqihar was extended into the northwestern part of Heilongjiang Province including Jiagedaqi and Manzhouli in the late 1920s.

Second Sino-Japanese War Period

General Ma Zhanshan

In 1931, Japan used a false flag attack, remembered as the September 18 Incident, to justify moving its Guandong Army to capture major cities in Northeast China that month, starting with Shenyang, Changchun, then Jilin City. General Ma Zhanshan was ordered to act as Governor and Military Commander-in-chief of Heilongjiang Province on October 10, 1931. General Ma declined a Japanese ultimatum to surrender Qiqihar on November 15. However, after the loss of Jiangqiao Campaign, the Japanese began their occupation of Qiqihar on November 19, 1931. Liaoning fell in December, and Harbin in February; the puppet Manchukuo government of the Japanese-occupied territory under General Zhang Jinghui established Qiqihar as its administrative center and of Longjiang province. Qiqihar became a major military base for Guandong Army and its economic importance also grew rapidly. During the occupation, the Imperial Japanese Army established Unit 516 in Qiqihar for research into chemical warfare. A major mustard gas tank left over from the Second Sino-Japanese War buried underground was accidentally damaged in August 2003, causing 43 injuries and one death.

Modern Era

After the defeat of Japan, the Democratic Regime Qiqihar Municipal Government was established, under the administration of Nenjiang Province. Japanese forces in Northeast China surrendered to the Soviet Union while Japanese forces in the rest of China surrendered to the United States. From March to May, Soviet troops progressively withdrew from their positions, giving the People's Liberation Army more notice than the National Revolutionary Army so that the former could occupy more positions in the context of the Chinese Civil War. Qiqihar was controlled by the Communists on April 24, 1946, along with other important regional cities like Changchun, Jilin City, and Harbin. Qiqihar was established as the capital of Heilongjiang Province after the foundation of People's Republic of China in 1949. However, since Songjiang Province was merged into Heilongjiang Province, the provincial capital was transferred to Harbin in 1954. During the first five-year plan of China from 1951 to 1956, many factories including Beiman Special Steel Co. and China First Heavy Industries were aid-constructed by the Soviet Union in Fularji District, making Qiqihar an important center of equipment manufacturing industry in Northeast China. In 1984, Qiqihar was designated to be one of the 13 Larger Municipalities in China by the General Office of the State Council.

Sports

The largest sports venue by capacity in Qiqihar is the Hecheng Stadium, which is used mostly for football matches.

Geography

Qiqihar is located along the middle and lower reaches of the Nen River and the hinterland of Songnen Plain, which is adjacent to the Greater Khingan Range and Hulunbuir Prairie. Bordering prefecture cities are:

• Baicheng, Jilin (S)
• Daqing (E)
• Heihe (N)
• Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia (W)
• Suihua (NE)
• Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia (W)

The city's metro area is located 359 km (223 mi) from the provincial capital of Harbin, 282 km (175 mi) from Baicheng, 139 km (86 mi) from Daqing, and 328 km (204 mi) from Suihua. The city's metro area is located at latitude 47° 00'−47° 52' N and longitude 123° 33'−124° 28' E. The total area under the city's jurisdiction is 42,289 km² (16,328 sq mi). The region's elevation above sea level is generally between and .

Climate

Qiqihar has a cold, monsoon-influenced, humid continental climate (Köppen Dwa), with four distinct seasons. It has long, bitterly cold, but dry winters, with a 24-hour average in January of −18.6 °C (−1.5 °F). Spring and fall are mild, but short and quick transitions. Summers are very warm and humid, with a 24-hour average in July of 23.2 °C (73.8 °F). The average annual precipitation is 415 millimetres (16.3 in), with over two-thirds of it falling from June to August. The annual mean is 3.95 °C (39.1 °F). With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 56% in July to 73% in February, the city receives abundant sunshine, with 2,839 hours of bright sunshine annually. Extreme temperatures have ranged from −39.5 °C (−39 °F) to 42.1 °C (108 °F).

Climate data for Qiqihar (1971−2000)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	−12.4 (9.7)	−6.5 (20.3)	2.7 (36.9)	13.1 (55.6)	21.2 (70.2)	26.2 (79.2)	28.0 (82.4)	26.3 (79.3)	20.3 (68.5)	11.1 (52)	−1.1 (30)	−10.1 (13.8)	9.9 (49.8)
Average low °C (°F)	−23.7 (−10.7)	−19.3 (−2.7)	−10.1 (13.8)	−0.2 (31.6)	8.0 (46.4)	14.9 (58.8)	18.5 (65.3)	16.6 (61.9)	9.1 (48.4)	−0.2 (31.6)	−11.3 (11.7)	−20.4 (−4.7)	−1.5 (29.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	1.5 (0.059)	1.7 (0.067)	5.6 (0.22)	17.3 (0.681)	29.6 (1.165)	67.1 (2.642)	128.8 (5.071)	90.0 (3.543)	45.5 (1.791)	20.1 (0.791)	4.4 (0.173)	3.6 (0.142)	415.2 (16.345)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)	3.5	3.0	3.4	5.1	7.2	11.2	13.7	11.2	9.1	5.1	3.5	4.9	80.9
Average relative humidity (%)	67	58	47	46	46	62	73	73	66	57	60	67	60.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours	190.6	208.6	260.4	248.5	282.7	282.2	269.4	271.7	247.3	227.6	185.4	164.9	2,839.3
Percent possible sunshine	70	73	71	61	61	60	56	62	66	68	66	63	64
Source: China Meteorological Administration

Subdivisions

Qiqihar is divided into 16 divisions: 7 districts (区 qū), 8 counties (县 xiàn) and 1 county-level city (县级市 xiànjí shì).

#	Name	Hanzi	Hanyu Pinyin	Population (2010 est.)	Area (km²)	Density (/km²)
1	Longsha District	龙沙区	Lóngshā Qū	354,987	283	1,254
2	Jianhua District	建华区	Jiànhuá Qū	292,579	81	3,612
3	Tiefeng District	铁锋区	Tiěfēng Qū	331,951	695	478
4	Ang'angxi District	昂昂溪区	Áng'ángxī Qū	80,109	623	129
5	Fularji District	富拉尔基区	Fùlā'ěrjī Qū	256,159	375	683
6	Nianzishan District	碾子山区	Niǎnzishān Qū	72,151	290	249
7	Meilisi Daur District	梅里斯达斡尔族区	Méilǐsī Dáwò'ěrzú Qū	165,852	1,948	85
8	Nehe City	讷河市	Nēhé Shì	625,892	6,664	94
9	Longjiang County	龙江县	Lóngjiāng Xiàn	572,764	6,197	92
10	Yi'an County	依安县	Yī'ān Xiàn	480,035	3,780	127
11	Tailai County	泰来县	Tàilái Xiàn	302,027	4,061	74
12	Gannan County	甘南县	Gānnán Xiàn	368,734	4,384	84
13	Fuyu County	富裕县	Fùyù Xiàn	276,537	4,335	64
14	Keshan County	克山县	Kèshān Xiàn	403,175	3,632	111
15	Kedong County	克东县	Kèdōng Xiàn	264,285	2,083	127
16	Baiquan County	拜泉县	Bàiquán Xiàn	519,766	3,569	146

Economy

In 2010, Qiqihar's GDP grew 18.5% from the previous year to RMB 85.26 billion, ranking third after Harbin and Daqing in the province. Qiqihar is part of Harbin-Daqing-Qiqihar Industrial Corridor, which is a comprehensive industrial base with a focus on petrochemicals, energy, autos, electronics, medicine and food. Equipment manufacturing and food and beverages are the two pillar industries in the city. Animal husbandry is a pillar of Qiqihar's agricultural sector. Qiqihar is also a major corn production hub in Heilongjiang Province. Qiqihar is home to Qiqihar Heavy CNC Equipment Co Ltd, Qiqihar No.2 Machine & Tool Works and Beidacang Group. Qiqihar Heavy CNC Equipment Co Ltd, formerly known as Qiqihar First Machine & Tool Works, was first established in 1950. It has an annual equipment manufacturing capacity of 1,500 units. Qiqihar No.2 Machine & Tool Works is a leading equipment manufacturer in China. Beidacang Group is a large distilled liquor producer in Heilongjiang Province. It was established in 1914 and converted into a private company in 1999.

Tourism

• Zhalong Nature Reserve
• Longsha Park
• Zen Monastery
• Labor Lake
• New cultural sites at Ang'angxi
• Wan Shin Buddhist Temple
• St. Michael's Cathedral
• Mingyue Island

Sports

It has an indoor speed skating arena, Indoor Ice Rink, as one of four in China.

Qiqihar was previously home to an Asia League Ice Hockey team which used the snow leopard as a mascot. The team later became Changchun Fuao, relocating to Changchun, Jilin Province. Qiqihar played host to the 2007 IIHF World Championships Division I, Group A.

Education

• Qiqihar Medical University
• Qiqihar University

Transport

Qiqihar has a domestic airport (Qiqihar Airport), a railway station, a bus network, and taxis. Qiqihar is a railway transportation hub in western Heilongjiang Province and northeastern Inner Mongolia. Trains from Qiqihar Railway Station connect the city with Harbin, Beijing, Dalian, Hangzhou, Xi'an and several other major cities in China. Qiqihar Airport, 13 km (8.1 mi) from Qiqihar's downtown area, operates daily flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and other major cities in China. In the district of Ang'angxi, the Harbin-Manzhouli Railway intersects with the Qiqihar-Bei'an Railway.

The new Harbin-Qiqihar High-Speed Railway (哈齐高铁) is scheduled to open in August 2015; it will provide frequent high-speed service to Harbin, as well as some direct trains to Beijing.

Gallery

• 

  The old station building, now used for first class

• 

  The old station building

• 

  The new station building

Sister Cities

• New Castle County, Delaware, USA
• Utsunomiya, Japan
• Goyang, South Korea
• 10th of Ramadan City, Egypt
• Krasnoyarsk, Russia

External links

• Official Website
• Historic US Army map of Qiqihar, 1945