Mudanjiang

Summary

Mudanjiang (Chinese: 牡丹江; pinyin: Mǔdānjiāng; Manchu: Mudan bira), alternately romanized as Mutankiang, is a prefecture-level city in the southeast part of Heilongjiang province, People's Republic of China. It was called Botankou under Japanese occupation. It serves as a regional transport hub with a railway junction and an international airport connecting with several major Chinese cities as well as Incheon International Airport serving Seoul. Mudanjiang is located 248 km (154 mi) from Vladivostok, Russia. In 2011, Mudanjiang had a GDP of RMB 93.48 billion with a 15.1% growth rate. In 2015, Mudanjiang had a GDP of RMB 118.63 billion.[2]

Mudanjiang
牡丹江市
Mutankiang
Night view of the city.
Night view of the city.
Location of Mudanjiang City (yellow) in Heilongjiang (light gray)
Location of Mudanjiang City (yellow) in Heilongjiang (light gray)
Mudanjiang is located in Heilongjiang
Mudanjiang
Mudanjiang
Location of the city center in Heilongjiang
Mudanjiang is located in China
Mudanjiang
Mudanjiang
Mudanjiang (China)
Coordinates (Mudanjiang municipal government): 44°33′05″N 129°37′58″E / 44.5514°N 129.6329°E / 44.5514; 129.6329
CountryChina
ProvinceHeilongjiang
County-level divisions10
Named forMudan River
Municipal seatDong'an District
Government
 • TypePrefecture-level city
 • CPC Mudanjiang SecretaryZhang Jingchuan (张晶川)
 • MayorLin Kuanhai (林宽海)
Area
 • Prefecture-level city40,233 km2 (15,534 sq mi)
 • Urban
2,495 km2 (963 sq mi)
 • Metro
2,495 km2 (963 sq mi)
Elevation
233 m (764 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[1]
 • Prefecture-level city2,290,208
 • Density57/km2 (150/sq mi)
 • Urban
930,015
 • Urban density370/km2 (970/sq mi)
 • Metro
930,105
 • Metro density370/km2 (970/sq mi)
GDP
 • Prefecture-level cityCN¥ 131 billion
US$ 21 billion
 • Per capitaCN¥ 49,876
US$ 8,008
Time zoneUTC+8 (China Standard)
Postal code
157000
Area code453
ISO 3166 codeCN-HL-10
Licence plates黑C
Websitewww.mudanjiang.gov.cn
Mudanjiang
"Mudanjiang", as written in Chinese
Chinese name
Chinese牡丹江
Manchu name
Manchu scriptᠮᡠᡩ᠋ᠠᠨ ᠪᡳᡵᠠ ᡥᠣᡨᠣᠨ
RomanizationMudan bira hoton
Russian name
RussianМуданьцзян

As of the 2020 census Mudanjiang had a population of 2,290,208, of whom 930,051 lived in the 4 urban districts comprising the built-up area of the city. In 2007, the city was listed as one of China's top ten livable cities by Chinese Cities Brand Value Report, which was released at the 2007 Beijing Summit of China Cities Forum.[3]

Administrative divisions edit

Map
# Name Hanzi Hanyu Pinyin Population (2003 est.) Area (km2) Density (/km2)
1 Aimin District 爱民区 Àimín Qū 230,000 359 641
2 Dong'an District 东安区 Dōng'ān Qū 180,000 566 318
3 Yangming District 阳明区 Yángmíng Qū 160,000 358 447
4 Xi'an District 西安区 Xī'ān Qū 210,000 325 646
5 Muling City 穆棱市 Mùlíng Shì 330,000 6,094 54
6 Suifenhe City 绥芬河市 Suífēnhé Shi 60,000 427 141
7 Hailin City 海林市 Hǎilín Shì 440,000 9,877 45
8 Ning'an City 宁安市 Níng'ān Shì 440,000 7,870 56
9 Dongning City 东宁市 Dōngníng Shì 210,000 7,368 29
10 Linkou County 林口县 Línkǒu Xiàn 450,000 7,191 63

History edit

Mudanjiang was originally populated by the Sushen 2,300 years ago. They lived in the valley of the Mudan River, and established the State of Mo (貊國).[4] During the Tang dynasty, Balhae established their Upper capital Longquan Fu (Yongcheon bu) near Lake Jingpo south of Mudanjiang around 755 AD. On January 14, 926, Yongcheon fell while Balhae was defeated by the Khitans.[5][6]

Mudanjiang is named after the eponymous Mudan River (literally, "Peony River") flowing through it. Imperial Russia built a train station for the Chinese Eastern Railway in Mudanjiang in 1903, after which local development started boosting. Both Chinese and Russian settlers established themselves here. Mudanjiang was little more than a large village until the 1920s. By that time, Mudanjiang was strongly overshadowed by the nearby county town of Ningan (Former Ninguta).[7] However, merchants from several countries including France, Russia, Britain and Denmark set up sub-agencies in Mudanjiang during this period, which led the trade area of the city to a rapid expansion.

After the Japanese invasion of Manchuria began on September 19, 1931, the whole Manchuria was seized by Japan following the Mukden Incident. Mudanjiang experienced a substantial growth in the 1930s under the Japanese occupation. Mudanjiang also became a military and administrative center going by the name Botankou, particularly after the railway from Tumen to Jiamusi was constructed in 1933. By that time several light industries including light engineering, lumbering, and food processing was established in the town. On December 1, 1937, Botankou City was established by the Manchukuo government, administering five counties. On October 15, 1938, Japanese Government set up a consulate in Botankou and promoted Botankou as a municipality directly under the Manchukuo Government. As Manchukuo collapsed, Mudanjiang was captured by the Soviet Army on August 16, 1945.[8]

Mudanjiang was controlled by the Communist forces and became the capital of Songjiang Province in 1948. However, after Songjiang Province was merged into Heilongjiang Province on June 19, 1954, Mudanjiang was reduced to a prefecture-level city. The historic Beishan Stadium is located in the city. The 15,000-capacity stadium is used mostly for association football matches.

Geography edit

Mudanjiang
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
6.6
 
 
−10
−22
 
 
5.5
 
 
−5
−17
 
 
13
 
 
3
−9
 
 
26
 
 
14
1
 
 
58
 
 
21
8
 
 
85
 
 
26
14
 
 
137
 
 
28
18
 
 
122
 
 
27
17
 
 
55
 
 
22
9
 
 
31
 
 
13
1
 
 
14
 
 
1
−9
 
 
8
 
 
−8
−18
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: CMA [9]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.3
 
 
14
−7
 
 
0.2
 
 
24
1
 
 
0.5
 
 
38
17
 
 
1
 
 
58
34
 
 
2.3
 
 
70
46
 
 
3.4
 
 
78
57
 
 
5.4
 
 
82
64
 
 
4.8
 
 
81
63
 
 
2.2
 
 
71
49
 
 
1.2
 
 
56
33
 
 
0.5
 
 
35
16
 
 
0.3
 
 
18
0
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
 
Map including Mudanjiang (labeled as MU-TAN-CHIANG (partially destroyed)) (AMS, 1955)

Mudanjiang, spanning from 128° 02' to 131° 18' E longitude and 43° 24' to 45° 59' N latitude, is located in southeastern Heilongjiang province. It is also the province's southernmost prefecture. Neighboring prefectures are:

It also borders Russia's Primorsky Krai to the east. The average elevation in the prefecture is 230 meters (755 ft), with the terrain primarily consisting of mountains and hills. The east of the prefecture begins to ascend to the Changbai Mountains, while the central parts belong to the Hegu Basin. The lowest part of the prefecture is Suifenhe City, bordering Russia, at a minimum elevation of 86.5 meters (283.8 ft), while the highest point is Zhangguangcai mountain, at 1,686.9 meters (5,534 ft).

Climate edit

Mudanjiang features a monsoon-influenced, humid continental climate (Köppen Dwa) with hot, humid summers and very cold and dry winters; spring and autumn are brief. However, winter temperatures here are far warmer than much of the rest of the province, and the city's basin location helps protect it from biting winds. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from −16.7 °C (1.9 °F) in January to 22.3 °C (72.1 °F) in July; the annual mean is 4.78 °C (40.6 °F). Close to three-fifths of the annual rainfall occurs from June to August. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 46% in July to 62% in February and March, the city receives 2,368 hours of bright sunshine annually. Extreme temperatures have ranged from −35.1 °C (−31 °F) to 38.4 °C (101 °F).

Climate data for Mudanjiang (1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 3.5
(38.3)
11.5
(52.7)
19.5
(67.1)
30.3
(86.5)
33.4
(92.1)
37.9
(100.2)
38.4
(101.1)
36.0
(96.8)
31.0
(87.8)
27.3
(81.1)
19.5
(67.1)
8.9
(48.0)
38.4
(101.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −10.0
(14.0)
−4.3
(24.3)
3.7
(38.7)
14.0
(57.2)
21.2
(70.2)
26.1
(79.0)
28.3
(82.9)
27.0
(80.6)
22.0
(71.6)
13.4
(56.1)
1.4
(34.5)
−8.0
(17.6)
11.2
(52.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −16.3
(2.7)
−11.3
(11.7)
−2.4
(27.7)
7.3
(45.1)
14.5
(58.1)
19.8
(67.6)
22.7
(72.9)
21.3
(70.3)
15.1
(59.2)
6.5
(43.7)
−4.2
(24.4)
−13.6
(7.5)
4.9
(40.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −21.4
(−6.5)
−17.2
(1.0)
−8.1
(17.4)
1.1
(34.0)
8.3
(46.9)
14.3
(57.7)
18.0
(64.4)
16.9
(62.4)
9.5
(49.1)
0.8
(33.4)
−8.8
(16.2)
−18.1
(−0.6)
−0.4
(31.3)
Record low °C (°F) −35.3
(−31.5)
−35.3
(−31.5)
−23.5
(−10.3)
−9.7
(14.5)
−2.5
(27.5)
5.8
(42.4)
11.2
(52.2)
7.1
(44.8)
−2.1
(28.2)
−13.4
(7.9)
−25.2
(−13.4)
−32.0
(−25.6)
−35.3
(−31.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 6.7
(0.26)
5.5
(0.22)
14.8
(0.58)
28.0
(1.10)
64.5
(2.54)
83.5
(3.29)
130.8
(5.15)
122.8
(4.83)
58.7
(2.31)
33.6
(1.32)
20.5
(0.81)
7.7
(0.30)
577.1
(22.71)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 4.7 4.2 7.1 8.3 13.7 15.3 13.9 14.1 10.3 8.0 6.6 5.9 112.1
Average snowy days 7.9 7.2 9.3 4.0 0.1 0 0 0 0.1 2.4 8.1 9.5 48.6
Average relative humidity (%) 67 61 56 52 58 67 74 77 73 65 65 67 65
Mean monthly sunshine hours 157.9 182.4 211.3 203.0 221.1 220.4 207.8 193.8 211.1 188.5 148.5 142.5 2,288.3
Percent possible sunshine 55 62 57 50 48 48 45 45 57 56 52 52 52
Source: China Meteorological Administration[9][10][11]

Economy edit

In 2010, the city's GDP rose 18.5% to RMB 78.1 billion, ranked fourth in Heilongjiang Province after Harbin, Daqing and Qiqihar.[12] Tourist industry and light manufacturing are the mainstays of Mudanjiang's economy. Mudanjiang's pillar industries include accessory industry for automobiles, paper making, forest industry, petrochemicals, new materials, pharmacy and energy industry.[13] The foreign trade value increased 71.8% to US$9 billion in 2010, making up three-fourths of Heilongjiang Province's gross.

Development zones edit

  • Mudanjiang to Russia Economic and Technological Development Zone
  • Sino-Russian Information Industrial Garden
  • Mudanjiang Jiangnan Economic and Technological Development Area
  • Mudanjiang Bioindustry Development Zone
  • Heilongjiang Northern Pharmaceutical Technological Development Zone

Transport edit

Railway edit

 
Mudanjiang railway station, lunar new year 2008

Mudanjiang is a railway hub in eastern Heilongjiang Province. Binsui (Harbin-Suifenhe) Railway and Tujia (Tumen-Jiamusi) Railway meet here. Trains from Mudanjiang Railway Station connect the city with Beijing, Jinan, Dalian, Harbin, Changchun and several other cities in China.

Air edit

Mudanjiang Hailang International Airport is the second largest international airport in Heilongjiang Province. It operates daily flights to Beijing, Dalian and several other major cities in China. In addition there are also scheduled international flights between Mudanjiang and Seoul and Incheon in South Korea.

Highway edit

Mudanjiang is linked to the national highway network through the G11 Hegang–Dalian Expressway and G10 Suifenhe-Manzhouli Expressway.

Education edit

Mudanjiang Normal University is a provincial higher education institution in Heilongjiang Province. The predecessor of the college is the Nenjiang Branch of Northeast Agricultural College. It was founded in September 1958 and was closed in 1964. The Bei'an Teachers' College was established on the basis of the closed Nenjiang branch. The State Council approved in January 1965. In 1964, Bei'an Normal College moved to the original Ning'an County Breeding Farm, renamed Ning'an Teachers' College of Heilongjiang Province. It was approved by the Heilongjiang Provincial Revolutionary Committee in December 1970 and expanded into Mudanjiang Teachers College. The school has now developed into a master's degree. Full-time undergraduate students, international students, adult education, and other comprehensive teachers' colleges with more than 22,000 students. The school covers an area of 1.05 million square meters, and the school building area is nearly 390,000 square meters. It is a provincial-level garden-style unit. The school recruits students nationwide and now has 15 secondary colleges. In 2015, Mudanjiang Teachers College will be renamed Normal University. On February 26, 2018, Soft Science 2018 "China's Best University Ranking" was released, and Mudanjiang Teachers College ranked 551.[12]

Mudanjiang University was founded in 1983 and is the first batch of 100 local universities in the country. The school consists of three parts: the school headquarters, the Hailin campus and the industrial park training base. It covers an area of 500,000 square meters and a building area of 186,000 square meters. The total value of fixed assets is 450 million yuan, the total value of teaching equipment is 90 million yuan, and the library has 644,800 books. At present, there are more than 10,000 students in the school, 10 secondary schools and 43 majors. Among them, there are 2 key construction majors supported by the central government and 6 key construction majors supported by the provincial finance. The school is well equipped and the school conditions are good. There are 104 on-campus laboratories and training bases, and 125 off-campus training bases. The major in mechatronics, animation design and production, and computer information security storage was identified by the Ministry of Education as a national backbone teacher training base.[13]

Mudanjiang No. 1 High School, referred to as Mudanjiang Yizhong, is located in Mudanjiang City, southeast of Heilongjiang Province, and is the first demonstration high school in Heilongjiang Province. Founded in September 1945, it was originally named Mudanjiang Municipal High School; in 2001, it was renamed Mudanjiang No. 1 High School; in September 2007, the school moved to the new campus as a whole. The new campus covers an area of 218,000 square meters and the construction area is 9.3. 10,000 square meters, green area of 73,000 square meters, sports area of 70,000 square meters. In 2009, it was awarded the National 100 High School Construction Project Experimental School; in 2011, it was identified as a pilot school for provincial science projects. As of February 2015, there were 359 faculty members, 123 teachers with master's degree, 8 special teachers, 144 senior teachers, 107 national, provincial and municipal academic leaders and backbone teachers, and more than 5,200 students.[14]

International relations edit

Mudanjiang is twinned with:

References edit

  1. ^ "China: Hēilóngjiāng (Prefectures, Cities, Districts and Counties) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map".
  2. ^ 2015年黑龙江各市GDP和人均GDP排名_中国排行网. phbang.cn.
  3. ^ "China's Top 10 Most Livable Cities". hnloudi.gov.cn. Hunan Loudi Official Government. 2012-03-28. Archived from the original on 2013-04-10. Retrieved 2014-08-04.
  4. ^ "Several Problems about the History of Ancient Northeast". DU Xing-zhi(School of History,Culture and Tourism,Liaoning Normal University,Dalian,Liaoning,116029,China). 2006. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  5. ^ (in Korean) "Sanggyeong Yongcheonbu", Naver encyclopedia
  6. ^ (in Korean) "Dongjingcheng site", Naver encyclopedia
  7. ^ 牡丹江旅游局 [Mudanjiang Bureau of Tourism] (1990). 雪城牡丹江. 中国旅游出版社 [China Tourism Press]. ISBN 978-7-5032-2302-0.
  8. ^ LTC David M. Glantz, "August Storm: The Soviet 1945 Strategic Offensive in Manchuria" Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine. Leavenworth Papers No. 7, Combat Studies Institute, February 1983, Fort Leavenworth Kansas.
  9. ^ a b 中国气象数据网 – WeatherBk Data (in Simplified Chinese). China Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  10. ^ 中国气象数据网 (in Simplified Chinese). China Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  11. ^ 中国地面国际交换站气候标准值月值数据集(1971-2000年). China Meteorological Administration. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
  12. ^ 2010年牡丹江市国民经济和社会发展统计公报. Heilongjiang Province People's Government. 2011-03-11. Archived from the original on 2011-10-25. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  13. ^ Profiles of China Provinces, Cities and Industrial Parks

Further reading edit

  • Jasper, Clint (July 14, 2015). "China is building a 100,000-cow dairy farm to supply Russia with milk, but one expert doubts it will end up that big". ABC Rural. Retrieved August 20, 2017.

External links edit

  • https://web.archive.org/web/20110813100439/http://ch-info.erina.or.jp/English/He/Mudan/mudanjiang.htm
  • http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/50995.htm