Weichang Manchu and Mongol Autonomous County () is a Manchu and Mongol autonomous county located in far northeastern Hebei province, China. It lies under the administration of Chengde City, and is the northernmost county of the province, bordering Inner Mongolia to the north. In terms of area, it is the largest county of Hebei, occupying an area of , though, as it is located in mountainous terrain, it is rather sparsely populated, , housing 423,676 people.
The area has been historically home to Manchu soldiers, and the local dialect of Mandarin is similar to that of Beijing, though there is some Northeastern influence.
History
The area of the county was originally grazing grounds for Mongol tribes. In the early Qing Dynasty, the Auqan, Kharchin and Onnigud Mongols gave these lands as a gift to the Kangxi Emperor, who then created the Mulan Paddock in Weichang. Thereafter, it became hunting ground for the Qing royal family, Eight Banners aristocrats and Mongols.
Economy Potato cultivation in Weichang Manchu and Mongolian Autonomous County covers an area of over 43,333 hectares, with the county producing 150 million potato minitubers annually. The county is also home to the Hongsong Wind Farm wind power project. Weichang Manchu and Mongol Autonomous County was one of the last counties to eradicate absolute poverty in China.
Geography and climate Weichang is located in the northernmost part of Hebei, with a latitude range of 41° 35' to 42° 40' N and longitude range of 116° 32' to 118° 14' E. It borders Inner Mongolia's Chifeng city to the east, Hexigten Banner to the north, as well as Duolun County to the northwest. Within Hebei province, it borders Fengning County and Longhua County to the southwest and south.
Weichang has a rather dry, monsoon-influenced humid continental climate (Köppen Dwb), with long, very cold and dry winters, and very warm, humid summers, and the elevation depresses temperatures. The 24-hour average in January is and the same figure for July is , while the annual mean is . More than half of the annual precipitation occurs in July and August alone. The coldest temperature recorded in the province was on 12 January 1957 at Yudaokou Township ().
Administrative divisions There are 12 towns and 25 townships in the county.
Name Simplified Chinese Hanyu Pinyin Manchu Möllendorff Mongolian (Hudum Script) Mongolian (Cyrillic) Administrative division codeTowns Weichang Town 130828100 Siheyong Town 130828101 Kelegou Town 130828102 Qipanshan Town 130828103 Banjieta Town 130828104 Chaoyangdi Town 130828105 Chaoyangwan Town 130828106 Yaozhan Town 130828107 Longtoushan Town 130828108 Xinbo Town 130828109 Yudaokou Town 130828110 Chengzi Town 130828111Townships Daobazi Township 130828200 Huangtukan Township 130828203 Sidaogou Township 130828204 Lanqikalun Township 130828205 Yinwogou Township 130828206 Xindi Township 130828207 Guangfayong Township 130828208 Yutaihe Township 130828209 Guojiawan Township 130828210 Yangjiawan Township 130828211 Dahuanqi Township 130828212 Haliha Township 130828213 Zhangjiawan Township 130828215 Baoyuanzhan Township 130828216 Shanwanzi Township 130828217 Sanyiyong Township 130828218 Jiangjiadian Township 130828219 Xiahuofang Township 130828220 Yangebai Township 130828221 Pailou Township 130828222 Laowopu Township 130828224 Shizhuozi Township 130828226 Datoushan Township 130828227 Nanshanzui Township 130828228 Xilongtou Township 130828229
References