Weifang

Weifang (simplified Chinese: 潍坊; traditional Chinese: 濰坊; pinyin: Wéifāng) is a prefecture-level city in central Shandong province, People's Republic of China. The city borders Dongying to the northwest, Zibo to the west, Linyi to the southwest, Rizhao to the south, Qingdao to the east, and looks out to the Laizhou Bay to the north. Its population was 9,386,705 at the 2020 census, of whom 3,095,520 lived in the built-up (or metro) area made up of four urban districts (Kuiwen, Weicheng, Hanting and Fangzi) and Changle County.

Weifang has numerous natural and historic sites, such as Shihu Garden (from the Late Ming and early Qing dynasty), Fangong Pavilion (from the Song dynasty), fossil sites (including dinosaur fossils, in Shanwang, Linqu), Mount Yi National Forest Park, Mount Qingyun and the Old Dragon Spring. Painted New Year woodcuts from Yangjiabu are also well-known. The city is served by Weifang Airport to various cities across China.

The prefecture-level city of Weifang administers 12 county-level divisions, including four districts, six county-level cities, and two counties.Weifang City governs 4 districts: Kuiwen, Weicheng, Hanting, and Fangzi; 6 county-level cities: Qingzhou, Zhucheng, Shouguang, Anqiu, Gaomi, and Changyi; and 2 counties: Linqu and Changle. County-level cities are at the same level as counties, so there are 12 districts and counties. In addition, there are 59 streets and 59 towns in the city. The residents are mainly Han, with 50 ethnic minorities including Hui and Manchu.Weifang Municipal Government is located in Weifang City, Kuiwen District, No. 99 Shengli East Street.

Nearby major cities include Jinan and Zibo to the west, Yantai to the northeast and Qingdao to the southeast.Weifang is high in the south and low in the north. The south is a low hilly area with dense forests and rich vegetation. Alluvial rivers in the central part form alluvial and alluvial plain areas, and the northern part is the coastal area with vast coastal beaches. There are six major rivers such as Wei River and Bailang River flowing through it.

Weifang has a monsoon-influenced, four-season humid continental climate (Köppen Dwa), with hot, humid summers, and cold but dry winters. Monthly daily average temperatures range from −2.8 °C (27.0 °F) in January to 26.3 °C (79.3 °F) in July, and the annual mean is 12.71 °C (54.9 °F). More than 70% of the annual precipitation occurs from June to September, and sunshine is generally abundant year-round. A majority of the annual precipitation occurs in July and August alone. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 47% in July to 62% in April, the city receives 2,536 hours of bright sunshine annually, sunshine is abundant except during the summer months.

The city is home to the large diesel engine company and factory Weichai, and Shengrui Transmission manufacturer. The village of Yangjiabu in Hanting District is famous for folk wood-block print (nianhua) and kite production.

In the 1980s, many sapphire deposits were discovered in Changle County. According to released information, billions of carats of sapphire are estimated to lie under an area of 450 km² (170 sq mi). Mining here has become one of the top four sapphire producers in the world. The main feature of this sapphire is the dark blue or close to black color because of the high iron content.

Established in August 1995, the Weifang Binhai Economic & Technological Development Area (BEDA) is a national economic and technological development area approved by the State Council. Covering an area of 677 km² (261 sq mi), BEDA has a population of 100,000. BEDA possesses a large state-owned industrial land for use with an area of 400 km² (150 sq mi). BEDA has been accredited as a National Demonstration Zone invigorating the Sea by Science and Technology, National Innovation Base for Rejuvenating Trade through Science and Technology and National Demonstration Eco-Industry Park.