The Southeast Gateway of Chongqing, Throat of Hunan and Guizhou

Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County (hereinafter referred to as Youyang County) is located in the southeast of Chongqing and the hinterland of Wuling mountain area, where is an important gateway to reach Hubei Province, Hunan Province and Guizhou Province. Therefore, it is known as “Southeast Gateway of Chongqing, Throat of Hunan and Guizhou”.

Youyang County neighbors Longshan County of Hunan Province in the east, borders Xiushan County, Songtao County and Yinjiang County of Guizhou Province in the south, opposes Yanhe County of Guizhou Province through Wujiang River in the west, and connects Pengshui County in the northwest, Qianjiang District, Xianfeng County and Laifeng County of Hubei Province in the north.

As of the end of 2014, Youyang County has an area of 5,173km2 and has 39 townships and towns under its jurisdiction. It has permanent population of 562,400 (registered population of 860,400). It has 18 nationalities, among which Tujia and Miao are the major residents. In addition, it also has Han, Hui, Mongolian and other nationalities.

Youyang County is a national advanced county for science and technology, which won honorary titles of “National Civilized Town”, “China Green County” and “Municipal Ecological County”. 

History

Youyang was a place bordering Liang Prefecture and Jing Prefecture recorded inYu and Gong.

It was the common border of Ba State and Chu State in the Spring and Autumn Period.

It belonged to Qianzhong Prefecture in the Qin Dynasty, Youyang County in the Han Dynasty, Shu and Han in the Three Kingdoms period, and Wuling Prefecture and Fuling Prefecture in the Jin Dynasty.

It belonged to Wu Prefecture and Si Prefecture in the Tang Dynasty. Since the Five Dynasties, it was conquered by local clan and named Youyang Village.

It belonged to Si Prefecture in the Northern Song Dynasty and the place of Ran family in the Southern Song Dynasty.

It was governed by Youyang Prefecture in the Yuan Dynasty, which was promoted to Youyang Consolation Department later.  

It was governed by Youyang Consolation Department in the Ming Dynasty.

In the Qing Dynasty Youyang Prefecture was established. In the 13th year of Yongzheng’s reign of the Qing Dynasty (in 1735), Youyang was established as the prefecture to administrate Youyang, Xiushan, Qianjiang and Pengshui (four counties) due to the bureaucratization of native officers.

In the second year of the Republic of China (in 1913) Youyang Prefecture was abolished to establish a county, which was under the jurisdiction of Dongdao of Sichuan Province. In the 24th year of the Republic of China (in 1935) it was divided to the 8th administrative and supervisory area.

Youyang Special Zone was established in November 1949 after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which administrated Youyang, Xiushan and Qianjiang (three counties). In September 1952, Youyang Special Zone was canceled and three counties were assigned to Fuling Special Zone. In November 1983, Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County was established. In May 1988 it was assigned to Qianjiang. In July 2000 Qianjiang was canceled to establish Qianjiang District. Youyang Autonomous County was under the direct jurisdiction of Chongqing.

Administrative Division

In 1997, Youyang County had an area of 5,173km2, population of 689,000, 3 towns and 78 townships. The county government was situated in Zhongduo Town.

In 2001, Youyang County cut 81 townships and towns in 39, including 10 towns and 64 townships canceled, 7 townships remained and 14 towns and 18 townships newly built. After the adjustment, the average area of townships and towns expanded to 132.64km2 and average population increased to over 19,000.

In 2002, Youyang administrated 14 towns, 25 townships, 17 neighborhood committees and 727 village committees. The registered population was 737,800, including 69,200 non-agricultural population.

In 2004, Youyang County adjusted 17 villages in 14 townships and towns, such as Mawang Town and Longtan Town cross the border.

As of October 30, 2014, Youyang County has jurisdiction over 2 sub-districts, 14 towns, and 23 townships: Peach Garden Sub-district, Zhongduo Sub-district, Longtan Town, Mawang Town, Youchou Town, Daxi Town, Xinglong Town, Heishui Town, Dingshi Town, Gongtan Town, Lixi Town, Ganxi Town, Houxi Town, Cangling Town, Xiaohe Town, Banxi Town, Tushi Town, Tonggu Town, Keda Township, Pianbai Township, Wufu Township, Muye Township, Maoba Township, Huatian Township, Houpingba Township, Tianguan Township, Yiju Township, Wanmu Township, Liangzeng Township, Banqiao Township, Guanqing Township, Nanyaojie Township, Chetian Township, Yudi Township, Qingquan Township, Miaoxi Township, Langping Township, Shuangquan Township and Nanmu Township.

Geographical Environment

Youyang County is located in the southeast of Chongqing, somewhere between E108°18'25''-109°19'02'' and N28°19'28''-29°24'18''. It neighbors Longshan County of Hunan Province in the east, borders Xiushan County, Songtao County and Yinjiang County of Guizhou Province in the south, opposes Yanhe County of Guizhou Province through Wujiang River in the west, and connects Pengshui County in the northwest, Qianjiang District, Xianfeng County and Laifeng County of Hubei Province in the north. With a total area of 5,173km2, it ranges 98.3km from the east to the west, and 119.7km from the south to the north.

Climate

Located in subtropical humid monsoon climate zone, Youyang County has sufficient rainfall throughout the year with warm winter and cool summer. The annual average sunshine reaches 1,131 hours. The annual average temperature drops to 11.8℃ in the central mountain area from 17℃ in riverside area 280 meters above sea level. The lowest temperature in January is 3.8℃ and the highest temperature in July is 24.5℃. The annual rainfall is generally among 1,000mm to 1,500mm.

Topographic features

Belonging to the Wuling mountain area, Youyang County has a higher center and lower side in the east and west. Laohui Qianliangzi in the north is the highest point of Youyang, which is 1,895 meters above sea level. Dongjia Village in the west is the lower part of Youyang with an altitude of 263 meters. Youyang, showing great ups and downs, is divided into central mountain area with an altitude of 800m to 1,895m, low mountain area with an altitude of 600m to 800m and valley and plain area with an altitude of 263m to 600m. 

Population and Nationality

Population: Youyang County is a minority autonomous county with major population composed of the Tujia people and the Miao people.

As of the end of 2014, the registered population in Youyang County Public Security Bureau was 860,400. In 2014, the registered new births were 19,093, which sex ratio (taking 100 as the base for baby girls, the ratio between baby boys and baby girls) was 109.2. The permanent population was 562,400 and the urban population was 166,800. The urbanization rate was 29.66%.

Nationality: Youyang County has 18 nationalities in total, including Han, Tujia, Miao, Mongolian, Hui, Zhuang, Yi, Tibetan, Buyi, Manchu, Dong, Yao, Bai, Hani, Li, Gelao, Qiang and Shui, etc.