Longyan

Longyan (zh-sp|s=龙岩|p=Lóngyán) is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Fujian province, China.

Geography

It is situated in the upper reaches of the Jiulong and Tingjiang rivers. Longyan borders on the municipalities Sanming to the north, Quanzhou to the east, Zhangzhou to the southeast, and the provinces of Jiangxi and Guangdong to the west and south respectively.

Administrative division

Longyan Municipality comprises Xinluo District (新罗区, the modern municipal seat), Zhangping City (漳平市), Liancheng County (连城县), Yongding County (永定县), Shanghang County (上杭县), Wuping County (武平县), and Changting county (长汀县, the former prefectural seat).

History

In 736 AD, (the Tang Dynasty (唐朝)), the Tingzhou prefecture was established in western Fujian (or "Minxi" (闽西)), administering Changting, Huanglian and Xinluo counties. Six years later Xinluo was named Longyan for the nearby cavern, a famous scenic site.

Due to the ancient conflicts in central China and aggression from northern tribes, many Han people moved from central China to Longyan. These were the Hakka people. The city Changting is often referred to as the home of the Hakka and the Tingjiang River is known as the "mother river" of the Hakka people.

in 1734, the area was designated Longyan Prefecture by the imperial court. In 1913, it reverted to its former name Longyan County and in 1981, Longyan City was established.

Minxi was a strategic base during the Chinese Civil War. Minxi is the strategic hub for Xiamen, Zhangzhou and Quanzhou for distributing goods within Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces. It is the main connection between the inland and coastal area.

Economy

Longyan serves as a strategic centre for the distribution of goods to Xiamen, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou. It also acts as a gateway for trade with Guangdong and Jiangxi province.

Longyan is rich in natural resources - important mineral deposits and forest zones. The Septwolves tobacco business is an important contributor to the local economy, as is the Zijin Mining group.

Famous people of Longyan

*Shi Zhiyong (石智勇) (b. 1980), Weightlifter, gold medalist at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
*Zhang Xiangxiang (张湘祥) (b. 1983), Weightlifter, gold medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics and bronze medalist at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
*Lin Dan (林丹) (b. 1983), gold medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics, number 1 badminton player on the world ranking list from 2004 to 2008.
*He Wenna (何雯娜) (b. 1989), trampoline gymnast, gold medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
*Chen Hong (陈宏) (b. 1979), number 1 badminton player on the world ranking list from 2002 to 2003.

ee also

* Fujian Tulou

External links

* [http://www.amoymagic.com/longyan.htm English Guide to Longyan]
* [http://www.longyan.gov.cn/ Government website of Longyan] (in Simplified Chinese)
* [http://amoymagic.com/longyan.htm Guide to Longyan Tour Sites]
* [http://amoymagic.com/FJAdv/Roundhouses.htm Fujian's Hakka Earthen Roundhouses]