Xiyan (Chinese: 西岩镇) is a rural town in Chengbu Miao Autonomous County, Hunan, China. As of the 2015 census it had a population of 54,200 and an area of 150-square-kilometre (58 sq mi).[1] The town shares a border with Jinzi Township to the west, Weixi Township to the east, Dengyuantai Town to the north, and Maoping Town to the south.

Xiyan Town
西岩镇
Xiyan Town is located in Hunan
Xiyan Town
Xiyan Town
Location in Hunan
Coordinates: 26°37′25″N 110°29′14″E / 26.623665°N 110.487155°E / 26.623665; 110.487155
CountryChina
ProvinceHunan
PrefectureShaoyang
Autonomous countyChengbu Miao Autonomous County
Area
 • Total
150 km2 (60 sq mi)
Population
 (2015)
 • Total
54,200
 • Density360/km2 (940/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+08:00 (China Standard)
Postal code
422504
Area code0739
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese西
Simplified Chinese西
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXīyán Zhèn

Name

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The name of "Xiyan" derives from Xiyan Temple (Chinese: 西岩寺), a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Lion Rock (Chinese: 狮子岩).[1]

History

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In March 2002, archaeologists excavated a late Neolithic site in Chaoyuanli (Chinese: 朝园里) of the town, unearthed pottery and stone tools, proving that human existence existed as early as 4000 years ago.[2]

In 1995, the five townships of Jinzi (Chinese: 金紫乡), Ziyuan (Chinese: 资源乡), Sanshui (Chinese: 三水乡), Yongfeng (Chinese: 永丰乡) and Huaqiao (Chinese: 花桥乡) merged into Xiyan Town.[3]

Administrative division

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As of 2015, the town is divided into 2 communities: the 1st Community (Chinese: 第一居委会) and 2nd Community (Chinese: 第二居委会), and 24 villages: Shilong (Chinese: 石龙村), Dengta (Chinese: 灯塔村), Biyun (Chinese: 碧云村), Lianxin (Chinese: 联心村), Jiangshi (Chinese: 江石村), Liantang (Chinese: 联塘村), Chenshi (Chinese: 陈石村), Changkang (Chinese: 长康村), Xingsong (Chinese: 兴松村), Yongfeng (Chinese: 永丰村), Zijiang (Chinese: 资江村), Zishui (Chinese: 资水村), Sanshui (Chinese: 三水村), Pingtang (Chinese: 坪塘村), Jinsha (Chinese: 金沙村), Taitang (Chinese: 太塘村), Luoshui (Chinese: 落水村), Lianhe (Chinese: 联合村), Sanhe (Chinese: 三合村), Huaqiao (Chinese: 花桥村), Yangtian (Chinese: 杨田村), Xiaoshi (Chinese: 小石村), Yuanshui (Chinese: 源水村), Yangjiashan (Chinese: 杨家山村).

Geography

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The town is located in the northeast of Chengbu Miao Autonomous County. It has a total area of 150 square kilometres (58 sq mi), of which 142 square kilometres (55 sq mi) is land and 8 square kilometres (3.1 sq mi) is water.[1]

The Wei River (Chinese: 威溪) flows through the town.[4]

Climate

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The town has a subtropical humid climate and exhibits four distinct seasons, with an average annual temperature of 18 °C (64 °F). Summer is cool and winter is warm.

Demographics

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In December 2015, the town had an estimated population of 54,200 and a population density of 361 persons per km2. Miao people is the dominant ethnic group in the town, accounting for 34,000, accounting for 64.19%. There are also 12 ethnic groups, such as Dong, Hui, Yao and Li people. Among them, there are 11,500 Han people (21.40%) and 8,800 Dong, Yao, Hui and Li people (16.30%).[1]

Economy

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The region abounds with zinc, cadmium, manganese, phosphorus and molybdenum.

Transportation

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The town is connected to two highways: S86 Wugang-Jingzhou Expressway, which heads west to Tongdao Dong Autonomous County and east to downtown Wugang city, and Provincial Highway S219, which heads south to Maoping Town, Jiangfang Township, Rulin Town, Dingping Township and east to downtown Wugang city.[4]

Notable people

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  • Yang Zaixing (1081 - 1140), a Song dynasty general under Yue Fei, known for his ferocity in battles.
  • Gong Jichang (Chinese: 龚继昌), a general in the late Qing dynasty.
  • Duan Menghui (Chinese: 段梦晖; 1907 - 1981), a journalist.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d 城步苗族自治县行政区划 [Administrative divisions of Chengbu Miao Autonomous County]. chengbu.gov.cn (in Chinese). 2017.
  2. ^ Shaoyang News (13 July 2018). 六月六山歌节 城步民俗,还有这些你不知道的事儿. Sohu (in Chinese).
  3. ^ Wu Yizhen, ed. (2009). "Xiyan Town: Northern Gate of Chengbu Miao Autonomous County" 《县北门户西岩镇》. 《城步苗族自治县概况》 [General Situation of Chengbu Miao Autonomous County] (in Chinese). Beijing: Nationalities Publishing House. p. 234. ISBN 978-7-105-08659-7.
  4. ^ a b Zhang Hong, ed. (2018). "Chengbu Miao Autonomous County" 《城步苗族自治县》. 《中国分省系列地图册:湖南》 [Maps of Provinces in China: Hunan] (in Chinese). Xicheng District, Beijing: SinoMaps Press. p. 80. ISBN 978-7-5031-8949-4.