Lianyungang

Location

Lianyungang is between 118°24' and 119°48' east longitude and 34°11' and 35°07' north latitude. Lianyungang covers an area of 7,777 km² (3,003 sq mi).

Climate

The temperature in Lianyungang can reach average highs of 30 °C in the summer and drop to as low as -4 °C in the winter. The vast majority of precipitation occurs between June and August, where it can measure up to 278mm of rainfall on average. Winter precipitation is quite low, making snowfall rare and short-lived.

Economy

Lianyungang is the eastern end of the Longhai Railway (formerly the Lunghai Railway), connecting it with Lanzhou in central China. It is now the eastern terminus of the New Eurasian Land Bridge and the proposed Northern East West Freight Corridor. The government counts it among the first 14 Chinese coastal cities opening to the outside world and a rising center of industry, foreign trade, and tourism in east China.

This port is in the center of the coast, linking eastern sea routes with western land routes. Japan and the Republic of Korea in the east can be reached economically and conveniently from Liangyungang, which is also part of the worldwide network of sea transport. As well as this, the New Eurasia Continental Landbridge and the railway networks in Western Europe continue by land, connecting Lianyungang with over 40 countries and regions in Europe, South Asia and the Middle East.

The Chinese government has clearly stated its intention to build an economic belt along the New Eurasia Continental Landbridge in "the Ninth Five-Year Plan of the National Economy and Social Development and the Long-range Goal for the Year 2010." On "China's 21st Century Agenda", Lianyungang is to be developed into an international seaport linking countries on the Pacific rim with those in Central Asia. In the "National Ocean Development Plan" it is listed as one of three special development zones.

Near the Lianyun-Ports, the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant is one of the biggest nuclear power plants in China, with two operational units and six more planned.

Donghai County has 70% of the national reserve of natural crystal, and is manufacturing 80% of China’s crystal products.

Lianyungang Economic & Technological Development Zone

Lianyungang Economic & Technological Development Zone (LETDZ) was approved by the State Council as one of the first batch of state-level development zones in December 1984. It is in the eastern new seashore urban area of Liangyungang City. The distance to nearest airport, Liangyungang Airport is 10–20 km (6.2–12.4 mi) and the distance to nearest highway G310 is 10–20 km (6.2–12.4 mi). Lianyungang port is 20–50 km (12–31 mi).

Lianyungang Export Processing Zone

Lianyungang Export Processing Zone is in Lianyungang Economic & Technological Development Zone (LETDZ).

Lian Island Resort

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Lianyungang and the only AAAA-Class beachfront in Jiangsu Province, Lian Island (Chinese: 连岛; pinyin: lián dǎo) is a beautiful island connected to Lianyun District by a 6.7 km (4.2 mi) sea dyke, the longest in China. There are two main beach and swimming areas, several places to eat, as well as hotels. Lian Island is home to an annual music extravaganza featuring some of China's most famous pop stars.

Huaguo Mountain

Lianyungang is famous for its Huaguoshan Shuiliandong (花果山, 水帘洞) attraction. Shuiliandong literally means the "Water Curtain Hole," since, according to legend, the hole was hidden behind a waterfall, therefore resembling a "curtain of water."

The hole is famous because according to legend it is the home of Sun Wukong, commonly known as the Monkey King from the epic novel Journey to the West. In this hole, underneath the mountain is where he and his monkey subjects lived. After learning Tao, the Monkey King traveled back to the hole so that he and his subjects could eat and play for eternity. Eventually, the Jade Emperor sent heavenly armies to battle him at this spot because of his misdeeds. While the Monkey King story is a work of fiction, Xuanzang, the monk who he accompanies on the journey of the novel, was based on a historical person.

Transport

Lianyungang has convenient transport including highway, railway, port and airport. It is one of the 42 major transportation hub cities in China.

Airport

Lianyungang Baitabu Airport (连云港白塔埠机场), 25km west of downtown Lianyungang, provides schedule passenger service to major airports in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Shenyang, Dalian, Hangzhou, Changchun, Kunming, Nanning, Tianjin, Xi'an, Zhoushan, Harbin, Urumqi, Xuzhou, Lanzhou, Haikou, Shijiazhuang, Xiamen (as of 2016.10.01).

Lianyungang Huaguoshan International Airport (连云港花果山国际机场) is planned to be built in Xiaoyi, 20km south of downtown by 2020. It will replace Baitapu Airport after completion.

Railway

The city serves as the designated starting point for the New Eurasian Land Bridge, a rail link from China (Longhai Railway) to western Europe. The current major stations include Lianyungang Station and Lianyungang East Station.

Several highspeed railways that go through Lianyungang are under construction:

Expressways

Lianyungang is the intersection of Shenhai Expressway, Hada Expressway and Tongsan Expressway. Among them Shenhai Expressway and Tongsan Expressway are the two longest in China.

Port

Lianyungang port is among the 10 largest ports in China and the 30 largest port in the world. The cargo throughput of Lianyungang port is 210 million ton/year (2015). The container throughput is 5 million TEU/year (2015).

Administration

The prefecture-level city of Lianyungang administers six county-level divisions, including three districts and three counties.