Handan

Handan 邯郸市
Prefecture-level city
Location of Handan City jurisdiction in Hebei
Handan Location of the city centre in Hebei
Coordinates: 36°36′N 114°29′E / 36.600°N 114.483°E / 36.600; 114.483
Country	People's Republic of China
Province	Hebei
Area
• Prefecture-level city	12,068 km2 (4,659 sq mi)
• Urban	142 km2 (55 sq mi)
• Metro	2,466 km2 (952 sq mi)
Population (2010 census[1])
• Prefecture-level city	9,174,683
• Density	760/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
• Urban	941,427
• Metro	2,845,790
• Metro density	1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Time zone	China Standard (UTC+8)
Licence plate prefixes	冀D
Website	hd.gov.cn

Handan (simplified Chinese: 邯郸; traditional Chinese: 邯鄲; pinyin: Hándān) is a prefecture-level city located in the southwestern part of Hebei province, People's Republic of China. It borders Xingtai on the north, and the provinces of Shanxi on the west, Henan on the south and Shandong on the east. At the 2010 census, its population was 9,174,683 inhabitants whom 2,845,790 lived in the built-up (or metro) area made of 3 urban districts, Handan and Yangyan counties, and Shahe City in Xintai municipality, largely being conurbated now

History

Handan was the capital of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period (475−221 BCE), after the capital moved from Zhongmu. The city was conquered by the State of Qin after the virtual annexation of Zhao by Qin except for the Dai Commandery. The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang was born in Handan, the child of a statesman from the state of Qin, and after successfully conquering Zhao he ordered all enemies of his mother to be buried alive.

Handan was still regarded as a cultural and commercial centre during the Western and Eastern Han dynasties (206 BCE−220 CE). It slowly declined, perhaps because of the numerous battles that ravaged northern China following the Han Dynasty, but maintained a reputation for its fine Cizhou ware well into the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). It was also the birthplace in the 19th century of Yang-style t'ai chi ch'uan, one of the five major schools of tai chi in China.

Though much of Handan's ancient history is no longer visible, it still has some attractions, most derived from Zhao folklore such as the road into which Lin Xiangru, courier of the precious jade He Shi Bi, backed in order to let his nemesis Lian Po pass first, as well as the location in which Lian Po begged for Lin Xiangru's forgiveness. Modern-day Congtai Park is located on the site of the historical Zhao court. The nearby Xiangtangshan Caves contain massive Buddha statues carved into the mountainside, some dating to the 6th century. Many of these statues were severely vandalised by occupying Japanese forces during World War II, as Handan was prized by the invaders for its coal reserves.

Administration

The population at the 2010 census was 941,427 for the 3 urban districts, 2,845,790 for the built up area and 9,174,683 for the entire Prefecture-level city area of 12,068 km² (4,659 sq mi).

The municipal executive, legislative and judiciary are situated in Congtai District (丛台区, Cóngtái Qū), as well as the CPC and Public Security bureaux.

Map
#	Name	Hanzi	Hanyu Pinyin	Population (2004 est.)	Area (km²)	Density (/km²)
1	Congtai District	丛台区	Cóngtái Qū	330,000	28	11,786
2	Hanshan District	邯山区	Hánshān Qū	310,000	32	9,688
3	Fuxing District	复兴区	Fùxīng Qū	250,000	37	6,757
4	Fengfeng Mining District	峰峰矿区	Fēngfēng Kuàngqū	500,000	353	1,416
5	Wu'an City	武安市	Wǔ'ān Shì	720,000	1,806	399
6	Handan County	邯郸县	Hándān Xiàn	400,000	522	766
7	Linzhang County	临漳县	Línzhāng Xiàn	590,000	744	793
8	Cheng'an County	成安县	Chéng'ān Xiàn	370,000	485	763
9	Daming County	大名县	Dàmíng Xiàn	750,000	1,052	713
10	She County	涉县	Shè Xiàn	390,000	1,509	258
11	Ci County	磁县	Cí Xiàn	640,000	1,035	618
12	Feixiang County	肥乡县	Féixiāng Xiàn	310,000	496	625
13	Yongnian County	永年县	Yǒngnián Xiàn	860,000	898	958
14	Qiu County	邱县	Qiū Xiàn	200,000	448	446
15	Jize County	鸡泽县	Jīzé Xiàn	250,000	337	742
16	Guangping County	广平县	Guǎngpíng Xiàn	250,000	320	781
17	Guantao County	馆陶县	Guǎntáo Xiàn	290,000	456	636
18	Wei County	魏县	Wèi Xiàn	810,000	862	940
19	Quzhou County	曲周县	Qǔzhōu Xiàn	410,000	667	615

Economy

Industrial growth in the city was due to its communication and transport activities. Coal mines at Fengfeng provide power for Handan's iron, steel and textile mills. Chemical and cement plants along with other industries also benefit. The GDP per capita in Renminbi (人民币), aka yuan (元) was estimated at ¥13,449 in 2005.

Air pollution

As air pollution in China is at an all-time high, several Hebei cities are among one of the most polluted cities and has one of the worst air quality in China. Reporting on China's airpocalypse has been accompanied by what seems like a monochromatic slideshow of the country's several cities smothered in thick smog. According to a survey made by "Global voices China" in February 2013, 7 cities in Hebei including Xingtai, Shijiazhuang, Baoding, Handan, Langfang, Hengshui and Tangshan, are among China's 10 most polluted cities.^[2]

Demographics

Ethnic minorities

According to Handan government in 2007, 40 ethnic groups were present in Handan. Ethnic minorities represent 50000 people, among which 48000 Hui. There are 22 Hui schools and 5 Hui junior high schools in Handan.^[3]

Religion

The most widespread religions in Handan (邯郸宗教) are Chinese folk religions including Taoism, and Buddhism.

In 2013, there were more than 150.000 Catholics in Handan according to the Catholic Church, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Yongnian.^[4] Mother of Grace Cathedral in Daming County was built in 1918. The most recent church was built in 2007.^[5]

There are also 300.000 Protestants. The largest Protestant church is on Qianjin Avenue (邯郸市西堂) and was built in 1997.^[6] The oldest church was on Congtai Street and was built in 1920 by Americans. The church was destroyed 2009 by the local government.^[7] A new church was built in 2011.^[8]

According to the local government 30.000 Hui Muslims live in the prefecture of Handan.^[9]

Notable people

• Qiaosheng Han
• Yang Luchan
• Qin Yue Ren
• Fang Lijun

Twin cities

• Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine

References

External links

• City of Handan, Official site

Coordinates: 36°36′N 114°29′E / 36.600°N 114.483°E / 36.600; 114.483