Heyuan (Chinese: 河源; Jyutping: ho4 jyun4, Hakka: Fò-Ngiàn) is a prefecture-level city of Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. As of the 2020 census, its population was 2,837,686 whom 1,051,993 lived in the built-up (or metro) area made of Yuancheng urban District and Dongyuan County largely being urbanized. Zijin County itself is quickly being conurbated in the agglomeration. The majority of the people are Hakka. The city includes many rainforests and the largest lake in Guangdong: Xinfengjiang Reservoir. The literal meaning of the city's name is "origin of the river". It has recently been officially titled as the "Hometown of the Dinosaur in China", due to the thousands of dinosaur egg fossils that have been unearthed in its vicinity.[3]

Heyuan
河源市
Map
Location of Heyuan City jurisdiction in Guangdong
Location of Heyuan City jurisdiction in Guangdong
Heyuan is located in China
Heyuan
Heyuan
Location in China
Coordinates (Heyuan municipal government): 23°44′39″N 114°42′01″E / 23.7443°N 114.7002°E / 23.7443; 114.7002
CountryPeople's Republic of China
ProvinceGuangdong
Municipal seatYuancheng District
Area
 • Prefecture-level city15,653.63 km2 (6,043.90 sq mi)
 • Urban
361.5 km2 (139.6 sq mi)
 • Metro
4,370.6 km2 (1,687.5 sq mi)
Elevation
39 m (128 ft)
Population
 (2020 Census[1])
 • Prefecture-level city2,837,686
 • Density180/km2 (470/sq mi)
 • Urban
703,607
 • Urban density1,900/km2 (5,000/sq mi)
 • Metro
1,051,993
 • Metro density240/km2 (620/sq mi)
GDP[2]
 • Prefecture-level cityCN¥ 127.4 billion
US$ 19.7 billion
 • Per capitaCN¥ 44,886
US$ 6,958
Time zoneUTC+8 (China Standard)
Area code0762
ISO 3166 codeCN-GD-16
License Plate粤P
Heyuan
"Heyuan", as written in Chinese calligraphy
Chinese河源
Hanyu PinyinHéyuán
Cantonese YaleHòhyùhn
PostalHoyun
Literal meaningRiver spring
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinHéyuán
Gwoyeu RomatzyhHeryuan
Wade–GilesHo2-yüan2
IPA[xɤ̌.ɥɛ̌n]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationHòhyùhn
JyutpingHo4jyun4
IPA[hɔ˩.jyn˩]

Geography

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Heyuan is located in the northeastern region of Guangdong, in the upper reaches of the Dong River at its confluence with the Xinfeng River. Its latitude spans 23° 10'–24° 47' N, and longitude 114° 14'–115° 36' E. It borders Huizhou to the south, Ganzhou (Jiangxi) to the north, Meizhou to the east, and Shaoguan to the west. Heyuan is a regional hub that connects the coastal areas of Guangdong and the interior countryside.[4]

Heyuan is rich in natural resources and fertile land. There are 1,000 km2 (390 sq mi) of cultivated land, 13,600 km2 (5,300 sq mi) of hilly land, and 640 square kilometres (250 sq mi) of water area. Many mineral deposits such as iron ore, tungsten, tin, fluorite are found in Heyuan.

Climate

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Heyuan has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), with short, mild to warm winters, and long, hot, humid summers. Winter begins sunny and dry but becomes progressively wetter and cloudier. Spring is generally overcast and often rainy, while summer continues to be rainy though is much sunnier; there are 9.1 days annually with 50 mm (1.97 in) of rainfall. Autumn is sunny and dry. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) in January to 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) in July, and the annual mean is 21.83 °C (71.3 °F). The annual rainfall is 1,927 mm (76 in), and is delivered in bulk (47%) from April to June. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 23% in March to 55% in October and November, the city receives 1,842 hours of bright sunshine annually.

Climate data for Heyuan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1971–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 28.3
(82.9)
29.9
(85.8)
33.0
(91.4)
33.8
(92.8)
36.0
(96.8)
38.6
(101.5)
39.0
(102.2)
38.8
(101.8)
37.5
(99.5)
36.6
(97.9)
34.2
(93.6)
29.9
(85.8)
39.0
(102.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 18.2
(64.8)
19.8
(67.6)
22.3
(72.1)
26.4
(79.5)
29.9
(85.8)
31.7
(89.1)
33.6
(92.5)
33.4
(92.1)
32.2
(90.0)
29.1
(84.4)
24.9
(76.8)
19.9
(67.8)
26.8
(80.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 13.0
(55.4)
14.9
(58.8)
17.8
(64.0)
22.1
(71.8)
25.5
(77.9)
27.5
(81.5)
28.7
(83.7)
28.4
(83.1)
27.3
(81.1)
24.1
(75.4)
19.6
(67.3)
14.5
(58.1)
22.0
(71.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 9.5
(49.1)
11.5
(52.7)
14.6
(58.3)
19.0
(66.2)
22.4
(72.3)
24.6
(76.3)
25.4
(77.7)
25.2
(77.4)
23.9
(75.0)
20.3
(68.5)
15.7
(60.3)
10.8
(51.4)
18.6
(65.4)
Record low °C (°F) 0.9
(33.6)
1.8
(35.2)
2.0
(35.6)
7.9
(46.2)
15.0
(59.0)
18.6
(65.5)
18.5
(65.3)
21.4
(70.5)
16.0
(60.8)
10.3
(50.5)
3.8
(38.8)
−0.7
(30.7)
−0.7
(30.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 58.7
(2.31)
69.8
(2.75)
150.2
(5.91)
211.9
(8.34)
287.7
(11.33)
397.5
(15.65)
214.7
(8.45)
244.2
(9.61)
143.4
(5.65)
44.3
(1.74)
38.6
(1.52)
46.3
(1.82)
1,907.3
(75.08)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 7.3 10.2 15.1 15.4 17.6 19.6 16.9 17.4 11.3 4.6 5.6 6.1 147.1
Average relative humidity (%) 68 73 77 78 79 82 78 79 74 67 67 65 74
Mean monthly sunshine hours 129.1 99.4 87.9 94.4 123.5 142.0 202.3 188.8 179.9 188.4 166.2 153.8 1,755.7
Percent possible sunshine 38 31 24 25 30 35 49 47 49 53 51 47 40
Source: China Meteorological Administration[5][6][7]

Geology

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The city's museum boasts the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of dinosaur eggs, with 10,008 individual samples as of 2004.[8] Dinosaur skeletons and fossilized footprints have also been found nearby.[9]

Findings

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A dinosaur egg fossil dated back to the Late Cretaceous was discovered by primary school student named Zhang Yangzhe while playing near the Dong River in 2019 in July. The boy's mother, Li Xiaofang, later contacted the Heyuan Dinosaur Museum members, and under their excavation guidance more than 10 dinosaur egg fossils each about 9 centimeters in diameter and dating back to 66 million years were revealed.[10][11][12]

Language

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In the great majority of Heyuan areas, Hakka Chinese is in general use.

In the greater part of areas in the city, Dongyuan County, Lianping County, Heping County, Longchuan County etc., it belongs to the Yuezhong dialect group, while in Zijin County and part of Longchuan County, it belongs to the Yuetai dialect group.

Also, in some areas on the banks of the Dongjiang, Dongjiang Bendihua is in general use. Its classification is disputed between the Yuezhong division of Hakka and the Huihe division of Yue.

Administration

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Map of Heyuan (labeled as HO-YÜAN (HOYÜN) (Walled) 河源) and surrounding region (AMS, 1954)

Heyuan City administers Yuancheng District, Dongyuan County, Heping County, Longchuan County, Zijin County and Lianping County.[4] The total area is 15,800 square kilometres (6,100 sq mi). Heyuan city and its districts have a population of 3.2194 million. The municipality seat is in Yuancheng District.

Map Name Simplified Chinese Hanyu Pinyin Population
(2010 census)
Area
(km2)
Density
(/km2)
Yuancheng District 源城区 Yuánchéng Qū 463,907 361.47 1,283
Zijin County 紫金县 Zǐjīn Xiàn 640,133 3,635.13 225
Longchuan County 龙川县 Lóngchuān Xiàn 694,480 3,081.31 225
Lianping County 连平县 Liánpíng Xiàn 337,002 2,275.08 148
Heping County 和平县 Hépíng Xiàn 374,709 2,291.45 164
Dongyuan County 东源县 Dōngyuán Xiàn 439,964 4,009.17 110

Economy

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Heyuan city is a major economic and transportation hub for the Beijing-Kowloon Railway and the Guangzhou-Meizhou-Shantou Railway which crosses the city. There is also a marshalling station at Longchuan, which is the biggest in southern China.

State Highway 105 and 205 run through the city. The Dong River, which flows through Heyuan, is an important and strategic waterway that allows huge cargo ships to transport goods to Huizhou, Dongguan, and Guangzhou.

Heyuan is a major producer of Chinese kiwi fruit, dried mushrooms of Jiulian, garlic, Hakka brewed liquor, Xinfengjiang pure water and mineral water, bamboo mats, sweet tangerines, green tea, and pot culture.

Transport

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Heyuan is served by the Hong Kong-Beijing Jingjiu railway with two stations: Heyuan railway station and Longchuan railway station.

Attractions

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Guifeng Pagoda

Xinfengjiang Forest Park

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Heyuan City has a number of tourist attractions. There is a tall fountain located in Xinfengjiang forest park. There are scenic areas such as the Dagui Mountain and the first big artificial lake; Wanlu Lake and the Sujiawei Round House.

Longchuan County

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Longchuan County is home to scenic spots in Huoshan and Shuikeng.[citation needed]

Lianping

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The Neiguan Mountains and rivers are located in Lianping county.

Dongyuan County

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In Dongyuan county, there are scenic spots at Huanglong Crag and Zhangxi.

Sister cities

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References

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  1. ^ "China: Guăngdōng (Prefectures, Cities, Districts and Counties) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map".
  2. ^ 广东省统计局、国家统计局广东调查总队 (August 2016). 《广东统计年鉴-2016》. 中国统计出版社. ISBN 978-7-5037-7837-7. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017.
  3. ^ Qian, Wang (11 April 2005). "Heyuan, Hometown of the Dinosaur". China.org.cn. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  4. ^ a b Heyuan Government. "History, Administrative Division, and Population". Heyuan Government.
  5. ^ 中国气象数据网 – WeatherBk Data (in Simplified Chinese). China Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Experience Template" 中国气象数据网 (in Simplified Chinese). China Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  7. ^ 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 21 September 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  8. ^ "Largest collection of dinosaur eggs". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  9. ^ Tom Phillips (20 April 2015). "Builders find dinosaur eggs in paleontologist's paradise in China". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  10. ^ 江巍. "Boy finds 66-million-year-old dinosaur eggs - Chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  11. ^ "Chinese Boy Accidentally Finds 66-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Eggs | ARCHAEOLOGY WORLD". Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  12. ^ Luo, Xi (罗希); Liu, Zhitang (刘志棠). 河源又现恐龙蛋化石,是男孩江边游玩发现!网友:不可思议. 河源广播电视台 [Heyuan Radio and TV]. Retrieved 31 March 2020 – via WeChat.
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