Linxia City
Linxia
临夏市 لٍِثِيَا شِ | ||
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Postal code 731100 | ||
Website | www |
Linxia City (simplified Chinese: 临夏市; traditional Chinese: 臨夏市; pinyin: Línxià Shì, Xiao'erjing: لٍِثِيَا شِ), once known as Hezhou (Chinese: 河州; pinyin: Hézhōu; Wade–Giles: Ho-chou, Xiao'erjing: حَجِوْ), is a county-level city in the province of Gansu, China and the capital of the multi-ethnic Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture. It is located in the valley of the Daxia River (a right tributary of the Yellow River), 150 km (93 mi) (by road) southwest of the provincial capital Lanzhou.[2]
The population of the entire county-level city of Linxia (which includes both the central city and some rural area) is estimated at 250,000; of which, 58.4% is classified as urban population. According to the prefectural government, 51.4% of Linxia City's population belongs to the "Hui nationality", i.e. the Chinese-speaking Muslims. Some members of Linxia Prefecture other minority ethnic groups, such as Bonan, Dongxiang and Salar, live in the city.[2]
For centuries, Hezhou/Linxia has been one of the main religious, cultural and commercial centers of China's Muslim community, earning itself the nickname of "the little Mecca of China".[3]
[4][5]
[6][7]
Geography
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Administratively, Linxia City is an incorporated
The main urban area of Linxia City (i.e., the city proper) is located roughly in the center of the city's administrative boundaries, on the left (northwestern) bank of the Daxia River. Administratively, the County-level City of Linxia is divided into 10 township-level units: 6
The central business district of Linxia City, corresponding to the former walled city of Hezhou, is located a couple of kilometers to the north of the Daxia River, and contains the city's more upscale shopping and entertainment precincts, as well as the prefectural government. The old city wall is gone, but its existence is remembered in many place names: Xi Guan Lu ("West Gate Street"), Chengjiao ([SW] "Corner of the City Wall") Mosque, Nanmen Guangchang ("South Gate Square") with Nanguan ("South Gate") Mosque, Dongguan ("East Gate") neighborhood, Bei Chengjiao Gongbei ("The Gongbei at the Northern Corner of the City Wall", a.k.a. Yu Baba Gongbei). A small river, called Hongshui He, flows along what must have been the southern part of the city wall. The main street within this central area is Tuanjie Lu ("Unity Street"), running north–south.[11]
The area between the former south gate (Nanguan) and to the Daxia River is primarily commercial, with vibrant markets taking up much of the street space on market days. Beyond Nanguan, Tuanjie Lu becomes Jiefang Lu ("Liberation St"), and, after reaching the river, it continues south as Provincial Highway 309.
Many of the city's mosques and gongbei shrines are located in the historically Muslim district to the west and southwest of the city center. Hongyuan Square, with Hongyuan Park, the Prefecture Museum, and a sports complex are in this area as well.[11]
The northeast of this city is mostly a modern multi-story residential area. Campuses of a number of educational institutions as well as the local garrison compound are located there.
A major landmark of Linxia City is the Taoist temple, Wanshou Guan. Its pagoda is perched on top of the loess plateau bluff that forms the natural northern limit for the city expansion.[11] Great views of the city open from the bluff, and the pagoda can be seen from everywhere in the city as well.
Climate
Linxia City has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dwb), typical for eastern Gansu. Summers are warm to very warm and humid, whilst winters are freezing but almost snowless due to the dominance of the Siberian High.
Climate data for Linxia City (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 14.8 (58.6) |
19.4 (66.9) |
27.7 (81.9) |
30.8 (87.4) |
30.5 (86.9) |
32.7 (90.9) |
36.4 (97.5) |
34.7 (94.5) |
30.5 (86.9) |
25.8 (78.4) |
20.3 (68.5) |
14.9 (58.8) |
36.4 (97.5) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 1.8 (35.2) |
5.6 (42.1) |
11.4 (52.5) |
17.6 (63.7) |
21.2 (70.2) |
24.4 (75.9) |
26.3 (79.3) |
25.1 (77.2) |
20.2 (68.4) |
14.8 (58.6) |
9.0 (48.2) |
3.3 (37.9) |
15.1 (59.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −6.0 (21.2) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
3.9 (39.0) |
9.9 (49.8) |
13.9 (57.0) |
17.3 (63.1) |
19.0 (66.2) |
18.1 (64.6) |
13.7 (56.7) |
7.8 (46.0) |
1.3 (34.3) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
7.7 (45.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −11.6 (11.1) |
−7.6 (18.3) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
3.5 (38.3) |
7.6 (45.7) |
11.1 (52.0) |
13.1 (55.6) |
12.8 (55.0) |
9.2 (48.6) |
3.1 (37.6) |
−3.8 (25.2) |
−9.9 (14.2) |
2.2 (35.9) |
Record low °C (°F) | −22.8 (−9.0) |
−21.0 (−5.8) |
−16.0 (3.2) |
−6.3 (20.7) |
−2.1 (28.2) |
2.8 (37.0) |
4.9 (40.8) |
5.3 (41.5) |
0.1 (32.2) |
−10.5 (13.1) |
−16.6 (2.1) |
−24.7 (−12.5) |
−24.7 (−12.5) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 3.7 (0.15) |
5.7 (0.22) |
14.7 (0.58) |
32.4 (1.28) |
60.8 (2.39) |
62.5 (2.46) |
104.9 (4.13) |
115.5 (4.55) |
74.2 (2.92) |
35.9 (1.41) |
6.4 (0.25) |
1.9 (0.07) |
518.6 (20.41) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 4.1 | 5.0 | 7.2 | 8.4 | 11.9 | 13.4 | 14.4 | 13.6 | 14.2 | 9.8 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 108.7 |
Average snowy days | 7.4 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 2.6 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.6 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 36.3 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
59 | 57 | 56 | 54 | 60 | 66 | 72 | 76 | 80 | 77 | 69 | 63 | 66 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 167.8 | 172.2 | 196.5 | 217.7 | 227.4 | 224.5 | 225.7 | 208.5 | 154.1 | 165.9 | 176.8 | 176.1 | 2,313.2 |
Percent possible sunshine | 54 | 56 | 53 | 55 | 52 | 52 | 51 | 51 | 42 | 48 | 58 | 58 | 53 |
Source: China Meteorological Administration[12][13] |
History
In the past, Linxia City was called Hezhou (河州), and the surrounding area was sometimes known as Hezhou Prefecture.
Throughout its history, Hezhou often was the crossing of important trade routes: one of the alternative paths of the east-way
The Sufi orders
Hezhou was already an important Islamic center in the 1670s, when the
However, it was a Hezhou native and Tai Baba's most promising student,
The Muslim Minorities Rebellion and War
Soon after the beginning of the
By late 1872,
Ma Zhan'ao himself went to fight along with Zuo Zongtang against the Muslim rebels farther west. For his efforts (and on Zuo's request), Ma was later rewarded by the "feathered cap of the fifth rank" (花翎五品顶戴); his and his lieutenants' descendants went to play an important role in the region's history for decades to come.[20]
"The south and "Small” west suburbs (the only ones) are almost entirely populated by Muslims. In the suburbs business flourishes to a far greater extent than within the city walls. Muslim merchants there have merchandise from all parts of China for sale. In the suburbs it is exceptional to meet many Chinese, and trade of all kinds is mostly in Muslim hands. There are Muslim officials the principal being the relatives of the late Ma An-liang, and a certain La “Ta ren” who is a “Chu-ren.” There are quite a number of Muslims who are able to read Chinese and a school to teach the government curriculum has been opened in the suburb." "It is impossible at the present juncture to make any full statement regarding the religious conditions prevailing in this district. There are the New, Old, and "New New” sects; four great men-huan and numerous small ones. Since the death of Ma An-liang in November, 1918, there have been considerable disagreements between Old and New Sects, "New New" being anathema to both. A proclamation put out by the Tuchun of Kansu has forbidden further dispute, but what the future holds without a Ma An-liang remains to be seen."[24] [25]
Ma Anliang was regarded by westerners as the leader of Muslims in Gansu.[26][27][28][29] Ma Anliang's son held the title of garrison commissioner in Hezhou (Linxia) in 1922.[30]
The mosques and mausoleums of Linxia City
Linxia City has over 80 mosques,[7] built in a variety of architectural styles. There are also a number of gongbei shrines centered on graves of Sufi masters.
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Machang Mosque, of the Xidaotang organization
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Chengjiao Mosque
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Suoma Mosque
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Dongguan Mosque
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A mosque in Huancheng Xi Lu
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SW of Xin Xi Lu
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Multicolored Mosque
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Xinhua Mosque
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Qianheyan Mosque
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Xia Ershe Mosque, with a pagoda-style minaret
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Tiejia Mosque
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Hanjia Mosque
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Shuiquan Mosque
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Nanguan Mosque
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Yu Baba Gongbei
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Yu Baba Gongbei main building
Linxia City's major gongbei shrine complexes are:
- Da Gongbei (大拱北, "The Great Gongbei"), next to Hongyuan Park northwest of the city center. Centered on the mausoleum of Qadiriyyah Sufi school in China.[17]
- Tai Baba Gongbei (太爸爸拱北), on the west side. It is built around the mausoleum of Ma Tai Baba ("The Great Father Ma", 1632–1709), a disciple of
- Hua Si Gongbei (华寺拱北), on the west side. It includes the mausoleum of Multicolored Mosque).[31]
- Yu Baba Gongbei (榆爸爸拱北), also known as Bei Chengjiao Gongbei ("The Gongbei at the Northern Corner of the City Wall"), north of the city center.
There are also a number of smaller gongbeis throughout the city.[32]
Markets of Linxia City
Linxia City has long been the region's commercial hub. One of the traditional local products are a certain style of round glasses worn during the
Administrative divisions
Linxia City is divided to 7 subdistricts and 4 towns.[34]
- Subdistricts
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- Towns
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Transport
Linxia City is the main transportation center of Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture. It is the junction of the prefecture's two main roads. China National Highway 213 (G213) runs from the northeast to the southwest, from Lanzhou via Yongjing County and Dongxiang Autonomous County to Linxia City, and then continue via Linxia County to Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Provincial route 309 (S309) comes from Lintao County in Dingxi City (to the east of Linxia Prefecture), and crosses Guanghe County and Hezheng County on its way to Linxia City; it then continues further west to Jishishan Bonan, Dongxiang and Salar Autonomous County.[11]
Another important route, not yet designated as a national or state highway, allows for an alternative connection between Linxia City and Liujiaxia Town (the county seat of Yongjing County). It goes north from Linxia City, crosses a section of Linxia County and then, using ferry, the Liujiaxia Reservoir, and arrives to Liujiaxia Town from the west.[11][35]
Linxia is also connected by G1816 Wuhai–Maqên Expressway. Travel time to Lanzhou via G75 Lanzhou–Haikou Expressway is around 2 hours, and to Hezuo takes around 90 minutes.
There are three bus stations in Linxia City.[36]
The South Bus Station, situated near the Daxia River bridge over which S309 enters the city from the southeast, The East Bus Station, located on G213 on the northeastern outskirts of the city, is primarily the hub for shuttle buses serving major towns in nearby counties.
There are no railways, airports, or navigable waterways near Linxia City,[11] but the popular Lianhua Tai (莲花台) dock, also known as Lianhua Gudu (莲花古渡; 'Lianhua Old Ferry'), at the Liujiaxia Reservoir in the neighboring Linxia County serves as Linxia City's marine gate of sorts.[35]
The city is served by a local public bus system with 13 routes.[37]
Lanzhou–Hezuo railway is under construction and will offer intercity service to Lanzhou and Hezuo.
Sports
The Linxia Olympic Sports Centre Stadium is located in Linxia. The 20,000-capacity football stadium opened in 2016.[38]
Footnotes
- ^ "临夏州第七次全国人口普查公报" (in Chinese). Government of Linxia Prefecture. 2021-06-08.
- ^ a b c d Linxia City brief info, on the web site of the prefectural government Archived 2010-08-20 at the Wayback Machine (in Chinese) (The page itself is dated April 2008, but does not state the dates for which population estimates have been made)
- ^ Lipman 1997, pp. 20–21
- ^ a b Gladney 1987, p. 53 (page number as in the PDF file)
- ^ Dru C. Gladney, "The Salafiyya Movement in Northwest China: Islamic Fundamentalism among the Muslim Chinese?" Archived 2006-07-20 at the Wayback Machine Originally published in "Muslim Diversity: Local Islam in Global Contexts". Leif Manger, Ed. Surrey: Curzon Press. Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, No 26. Pp. 102-149.
- ^ Jim Yardley, "Little Mecca" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Photo essay originally published in the New York Times.
- ^ a b Jim Yardley, "A Spectator's Role for China's Muslims" Archived 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine Article originally published in the New York Times.
- ^ "...Hui, the largest of China’s Muslim minority groups, call Linxia, a trading city on the historic Silk Road, “China’s Little Mecca,” as it has served as the center for all the revivalist strains of Islam that have entered China since the seventeenth century." China and Islam - The Prophet, the Party, and Law, Cambridge University Press.
- ^ Gladney 1987, pp. 48–49 (page no. as in the PDF file)
- ^ Gladney 1996, pp. 47–48
- ^ ISBN 978-7-80212-470-7.. Linxia City and Linxia Prefecture maps on pp. 32–33. More details are available from Google Maps.
- ^ 中国气象数据网 – WeatherBk Data (in Simplified Chinese). China Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ 中国气象数据网 (in Simplified Chinese). China Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ Lipman 1997, p. 30
- ^ Lipman 1997, p. 59
- ^ Information board at Tai Baba Gongbei
- ^ ] Journal of Asian Studies, August 1987, Vol. 46 (3): 495-532; pp. 48-49 in the PDF file.
- ^ Lipman 1997, pp. 65–67
- ^ Lipman 1997, pp. 107–111
- ^ a b c d Lipman 1997, p. 126
- ISBN 0804727570.
- ^ Lipman 1997, p. 22
- ^ Dillon 1999, p. 68
- ^ Zwemer, Samuel Marinus, ed. (1920). The Moslem World, Volume 10. Nile Mission Press. p. 386.
- ^ Zwemer, Samuel Marinus, ed. (1966). The Muslim World: A Quarterly Review of History, Culture, Religions & the Christian Mission in Islamdom, Volumes 9-10. Hartford Seminary Foundation. p. 386.
- ^ The Asiatic Review, Vol.13 And 14. 1918. p. 57.
- ^ Yate, A C (1917). Journal Of The Central Asian Society Vol Iv 1917 Part I. p. 61.
- ^ WALLACE, HAROLD FRANK (1913). THE BIG GAME OF CENTRALAND WESTERN CHINABEING AN ACCOUNT OF A JOURNEY FROM SHANGHAI TO LONDON OVERLAND ACROSS THE GOBI DESERT (PDF). p. 230.
- ISBN 978-3112209486.
- ^ Fleisher, Benjamin Wilfried, ed. (1922). The Trans-pacific: A Weekly Review of Far Eastern Political, Social and Economic Developments, Volume 7. B. W. Fleisher. p. 49.
- ^ a b Gladney 1996, p. 48
- ^ "临夏旅游" (Linxia Tourism), published by Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture Tourist Board, 2003. 146 pages. No ISBN. Pages 65-66.
- ^ Rough Guide to China, Edition: 3, 2003. Page 1033.
- ^ 2023年统计用区划代码和城乡划分代码:临夏市 (in Simplified Chinese). National Bureau of Statistics of China.
- ^ a b 莲花古渡. dalu.com. Archived from the original on 2007-06-29. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ 临夏州多举措保道路畅通. chinalxnet.com (in Chinese (China)). 2009-11-19. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ a b [1][permanent dead link] (Linxia City Travel: Long distance buses) (in Chinese)
- ^ "Daum 카페".
References
- Dillon, Michael (1999), China's Muslim Hui community: migration, settlement and sects, Routledge, ISBN 0700710264
- Gladney, Dru C. (August 1987), "Muslim Tombs and Ethnic Folklore: Charters for Hui Identity" (PDF), Journal of Asian Studies, 46 (3): 495–532, S2CID 163809196[permanent dead link]
- Gladney, Dru C. (1996), Muslim Chinese: ethnic nationalism in the People's Republic. Volume 149 of Harvard East Asian monographs (2 ed.), Harvard Univ Asia Center, ISBN 0674594975
- Lipman, Jonathan Neaman (1997), Familiar strangers: a history of Muslims in Northwest China, University of Washington Press, ISBN 9622094686