Guiyang

Evolution of Guiyang City

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Guiyang was originally the area under the jurisdiction of Zangke Country. In the period of Warring States, it was subordinate to Yelang Country and then to Zangke Prefecture in the period of Western Han and Eastern Han dynasties. During the period of the Tang Dynasty, Jimi Autonomous Prefecture was set up in the south of Wujiang River, at that time, Guiyang was subordinate to Ju Autonomous Prefecture. In the period of the Song Dynasty, Guiyang was called Guizhou. In the 1st year of Xuanhe Reign (1119), Ju Autonomous Prefecture was replaced its name to be Guizhou. In the 17th year of Zhiyuan Reign of the Yuan Dynasty (1280), a Consoling Protocol Department of Shunyuanlu was set up and then replaced “consoling” to be “comforting” in the next year. In the 20th year (1283), a Protocol Department of commanding official was set up to administrate Shunyuanlu which was originally subordinate to Sichuan Province and then to Huguang Province. In the 29th year (1292), Comforting Protocol Departments of Shunyuan and Bafan were combined as a whole, and a Bafan-Shunyuan Protocol Department was set up with its marshal mansion house in Shunyuan City (that is the Guiyang City at present). In the 11th year of Yongle Reign of the Ming Dynasty (1413), a Protocol Department of Political Deputy was set up, Guizhou was set up as a province and Guiyang was become the center of policy, military, economics and culture.

In the March of the 3rd year of Longqing Reign of the Ming Dynasty (1569), Chengfan Prefecture was replaced as Guiyang Prefecture. In the 14th year of Wanli Reign of the Ming Dynasty (1586), Xingui County was set up, being subordinate to Guiyang Prefecture. In the 29th year (1601), Guiyang Prefecture was enlarged as Guiyang Forces and People Prefecture. In the 36th year (1618), Guiding County was separated from Xingui County, which was still subordinate to Guiyang Forces and People Prefecture. In the 4th year of Chongzhen Reign (1631), Guizhou Comforting Protocol Department was abolished and its administrative Shuidong area was separated and subordinated to Kai Prefecture. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Guiyang Forces and People Prefecture had jurisdiction over Xingui County, Guiding County, Kai Prefecture (that is Kaiyang County at present), Guangshun Prefecture (that is Changshun County at present) and Dingfan Prefecture (that is Huishui County at present), and also administered 4 protocol departments of commanding official.

In the 16th year of Shunzhi Reign of the Qing Dynasty (1659), Guizhou provincial governor stationed at Guiyang Forces and People Prefecture. In the 5th year of Kangxi Reign (1666), the governor of Yungui also stationed at Guiyang. In the 26th year (1687), Guizhou guard station and Guizhou forward guard station were abolished, and Guizhou County was set up which was in the same city of Xingui County, and the Guiyang Forces and People Prefecture was altered as Guiyang Prefecture. In the 34th year (1695), Xingui County was merged into Guizhu County. In the 14th year of Qianlong Reign (1749), Guiyang Prefecture administered Guiding County, Longli County, Xiuwen County, Kai Prefecture, Guangshun Prefecture and Changzhaiting (that is Changshun County at present). In the 7th year of Guangxu Reign (1881), Luohuting (that is Luodian County at present) was also subordinate to Guiyang Prefecture.

In the 3rd year of the Republic of China (1914), Guiyang Prefecture was abolished and Guiyang County was set up. At that time, Guizhou was divided into 3 Routes, where Guiyang County was subordinated to Qianzhong Route (an administrative area). In order to administer conveniently, Guizhu County was stationed at Zhazhuo and then transferred to Xifeng, named Xifeng County. In the 9th year (1920), the Qianzhong Route was abolished and Guiyang County was directly subordinated to Guizhou Provincial Prefecture. In the 25th year (1936), there were 8 administrative supervising districts being subordinated to Guizhou Province, where Guiyang County was the first administrative supervising district. In the next year, Guiyang County was directly subordinated to the provincial government. On July 1, the 30th year (1941), Guiyang County was abolished and Guiyang City was set up. In addition, Guizhu County was stationed at Huaxi. From that time on, there was no any alteration until liberation.

Guiyang City was liberated on November 15, 1949. Guiyang Municipal People's Governemnt was established on November 23. In the same time, Guiyang Prefecture was also set up, administering Guizhu, Xiuwen, Kaiyang, Xifeng, Huishui and Longli counties, and the prefectural administrative office was located at Guizhu County (Huaxi). In 1952, Guiyang Prefecture was abolished and Guiding Prefecture was set up.

In 1954, Guizhu County was put under the administration of Guiyang City. In 1958, Guizhu County was abolished. In the suburb of Guiyang City, Huaxi and Wudang districts were set up. Approved by the State Council, Qignzhen, Xiuwen and Kaiyang counties of Anshun Prefecture as well as Huishui County of Qiannan Autonomous Prefecture were put under the administration of Guiyang City. In 1959, Baiyun Town was established which was equivalent to an administrative unit being directly subordinate to Guiyang City. In 1963, Kaiyang County was put under Zunyi Prefectural Administrative Commissioner's Office, Xiuwen and Qingzhen counties under Anshun Prefectural Commissioner's Office, and Huishui County under Qiannan Autonomous Prefecture. In 1973, Baiyun District was established. In 1992, Qingzhen County was altered to Qingzhen City. Approved by the State Council, since January 1, 1996, Qingzhen City and Xiuwen, Xifeng, Kaiyang counties (that is, 1city and 3 counties) all put under the administration of Guiyang City. In January 2000, Xiaohe District of Guiyang City was established which was approved by the State Council.

“Zhu” is the abbreviation for Guiyang City because it is located at the south of Mount Guishan.

- Administrative Area
In 2000, Guiyang had jurisdiction over 6 districts, 1 city, 3 counties, 53 townships (including 19 nationality townships), 30 towns, 34 subdistrict offices and 1997 village (neighborhood) committees.

In which, Yunyan District administered 15 subdistrict offices, 1 town and 254 neighborhood (village) committees; Nanming District administered 15 subdistrict offices, 2 townships and 243 neighborhood (village) committees; Xiaohe District administered 2 towns and 55 neighborhood (village) committees; Huaxi District administered 11 townships (including 7 nationality townships), 3 towns and 185 village (neighborhood) committees; Wudang District administered 7 townships (including 2 nationality townships0, 6 towns and 153 village (neighborhood) committees; Baiyun District administered 5 townships (including 2 nationality townships), 4 subdistrict offices and 100 village (neighborhood) committees; Qingzhen City administered 6 townships (including 3 nationality townships), 4 towns and 342 village (neighborhood) committees; Xiuwen County administered 6 townships (including 1 nationality township), 4 towns and 229 village (neighborhood) committees; Xifeng County administered 6 townships (including 1 nationality townships), 4 towns and 170 village (neighborhood) committees; Kaiyang County administered 10 townships (including 3 nationality townships), 6 towns and 266 village (neighborhood) committees.

- Location and area

Guiyang is located on the east slope of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, in the middle of Guizhou Province, with the east longitude 106o07' ~ 107o17' and the north latitude 26o11' ~ 27o22'. It neighbors Weng'an, Longli, Huishui and Changshun counties of Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture to the east and south; Pinba County of Anshun Prefecture and Zhijin County of Bijie Prefecture to the west; Qianxi and Jinsha counties of Bijie Prefecture and Zunyi County of Zunyi City to the north. It covers a land area of 8046 km2, accounting for 4.56% of the total area of the province.

The area of Guiyang urban districts (Yunyan, Nanming and Xiaohe) is 158 km2, about 1.97% of the total. Yunyan is in the north while Nanming and Xiaohe in the south. The area of the suburban districts (Huaxi, Wudang and Baiyun) is 2248 km2, about 27.99% of the total. Huaxi is on the southwest of the city proper, Wudang on the northeast and the west, Baiyun on the northwest.

Qingzhen City is in the west of Guiyang, with the area of 1492 km2, 18.58% of the total; Xiuwen is in the north, with the area of 1071 km2, 13.33% of the total; Xifeng is in the north, with the area of 1037 km2, 12.91% of the total; Kaiyang is in the northeast, with the area of 2026 km2, 25.22% of the total.

- Topography and Landforms

Guiyang City is located in the middle of Guizhou hill-plateau, on the watershed between Yangtse River and Pearl River, higher in the southwest and lower in the northeast. Miaoling Mountain extends in the boundaries, hills undulate and the hills of denudation alternate with basins, valleys and depressions. The relative difference in elevation is about 100-200 m. The highest peak, 1659 m above sea level, is in Miaowoding, Shuitian Town and the lowest place, 880 m above sea level, is in the exit mouth of Nanming River. In the middle of Guiyang, the stratified landform is obvious, mainly including Guiyang – Zhongcaosi synclinal basin and Baiyun – Huaxi – Qingyan multistage tableland as well as corroded depression. Peak cluster and dish-structure depression, funnel, underground stream, karst cave are developed. The flatlands are mainly distributed in Huaxi, Mengguan, Wudang, Jinhua and Zhuchang. Nanming River runs through the city from the southwest to the northeast, with the drainage area accounting for 70% of the total area of the urban districts.

The landform of Guiyang belongs to the hill-plateau basin, taking mountainous and hilly areas as the main, in which the mountainous area is 4218 km2, the hilly area is 2842 km2 and the flatland area is only 912 km2. There is about 1.2% area that belongs to gorge landform.

Qingzhen City is located in the middle of Guizhou hill-plateau. In its south, the terrain is flatter, taking denudation hill and low karst mountain as the main, dotted with karst basins. In the belt of Sha'e – Yachi of the west and the belt of Yachi – Muke of the north, the valley is deep and the slope is steep with 300-400 m height difference, because of the strong dissection by Wujiang River and Maotiao River. The highest peak is in Mount Baota, with the elevation of 1762 m; the lowest place is in the river mouth of Maotiao, with the elevation of 769 m. Wujiang River runs through its northern boundaries. Maotiao and Anliu are the main rivers in the boundaries, flowing into Wujiang from the south to the north.

Xiuwen County is located in the middle of Guizhou hill-plateau, with the terrain of higher in the southeast and lower in the northwest. Most of the areas are 1100-1400 m above sea level. In the middle of the county, the mounds are undulated, dotted with wide valleys and basins. The stripped surface of intermountain basin is retained widely. In the western and northern boundaries, the valley is deep and the slope is steep, forming the incised valley landform, because of the erosion and dissection by Wujiang and Maotiao rivers. The highest peak is in Mount Sanjiao, Sanjiao Township, with the elevation of 1610 m and the lowest place is in the exit mouth of Yachi River, Liangshuijing Township, with the elevation of 679 m.

Xifeng County is located in the middle of Guizhou hill-plateau, with the terrain of higher in the south and lower in the north. The average elevation is about 1000-1200 m and the most of the areas belong to low/medium mountain and hill. Carbonate rock is widespread and karst is developed. There are many peak clusters, corroded depressions, karst caves, sinking streams and funnels. In the northern margin, crisscross gullies and valleys are distributed because of the erosion and dissection by Wujiang River and its branches. The highest peak is in Nanjiding, Mount Nanwang, with the elevation of 1749.6 m and the lowest place is in Datangkou, the exit mouth of Wujiang River, with the elevation of 609 m.

Kaiyang County is located in the north of Guizhou hill-plateau, with the terrain of higher in the southwest and lower in the northeast. Most of the areas belong to low/ medium mountain and hill, with the average elevation of 1000-1200 m. The stripped surface with smaller area is still retained completely at the river watershed. Along the banks of Wujiang and Nanming (Qingshuijiang) rivers, the streams are eroded and dissected strongly, the ground is fractured and rugged and there are many precipitous mountain ridges and incised valleys. The highest peak is in Mount Langjiling, with the elevation of 1704 m and the lowest place is in Xiaohekou, the exit mouth of Wujiang River, with the elevation of 506 m.

- Land

The total area of land is 804667 ha., including cultivated land of 288979 ha., accounting for 35.91%; garden land of 5616 ha., accounting for 0.70%; forest land of 266258 ha., accounting for 33.09% (15.97% of forest coverage); grazing land of 28860 ha., accounting for 3.59%; water surface area (including residential area, industrial land, traffic land and water conservancy facilities) of 48276 ha., accounting for 6.00%; unused land of 15143 ha., accounting for 18.82%.

The land area per capita is 0.26 ha. and the cultivated land area per capita is 0.093 ha. As for agricultural population, the land area per capita is 0.46 ha., less than a half of the national average and the cultivated land per capita is 0.17 ha., being one-third of the national average.

Unused land in Guiyang is 151431 ha. in which there are 35348 ha. wasteland, 72191 ha. exposed conglomerate, 4301 ha. field ridge, 334 ha. exposed land and 236 ha. mudflat.

The kind of soil in Guiyang covers 8 classifications, that is, yellow soil, brown soil, calcareous soil, purple soil, moist soil, bog soil, rice soil and meadow soil, in which there are 301600 ha. yellow soil, 196600 ha. calcareous soil and 80100 ha. rice soil, accounting for 49059%, 32.33% and 13.17% respectively.

- Mountains

The main mountains include:

Mount Qinglong, in the south of Qingzhen City and the east of Chengguan Town, with the area of 10.5 km2 and the elevation of 1333.5 m. There is a Wenming Cave at the half way, over 10 m deep, and a pavilion at the top, reached by stone path. It is a scenic spot in Qingzhen.

Mount Yungui (Mount Returned Cloud), in the east of Qingzhen City, with the area of 22 km2. It is named by its high peak and thick forest as well as the surrounded fog even in sunny days. The highest peak --- Luling is 1715 m above sea level. “Returned Cloud in Luling” is one of the eight ancient scenes in Qingzhen.

Mount Baota, in the middle of Qingzhen City, trending from the south to the north, about 8 km long and with the area of 14 km2. The highest peak is 1762.7 m above sea level, which is the highest in Qingzhen. It is rich in bauxite and iron ore.

Mount Wulongsi, in the south of Xiuwen County and the north of Baiyun District. The highest peak is 1605 m above sea level. It is cliffy in the south slope and gentle in the north slope. Here bauxite is abundant.

Mount Sanjiao (another name: Mount Doushan), in the southeast of Xiuwen County and the north of Baiyun District, with the area of 7 km2. The highest peak is 1610 m above sea level, which is the highest in Xiuwen County.

Mount Bai'anying, in the west of Kaiyang County, with the elevation of 1179 m. Here sheer precipices and overhanging rocks are at the three sides of the mountain; the ancient trees are twined each other, too dangerous to climb up. Some temples and pavilions are used to be at the top. There is a Shenxian Cave (Supernatural Being Cave) at the half way and Xiangshui Cave (Sounding Water Cave) at the foot of the mountain. From the winter of 1942 to the spring of 1944, General Zhang Xueliang was imprisoned here.

Mount Langjiling, in the west of Kaiyang County and the east of Xifeng County. It stretches for 9 km from the northeast to the southwest, with the area of 31 km2. The highest peak is 1702 m above sea level, the highest in Kaiyang County. Phosphorus minerals are abundant.

Mount Jiaoding, in the northeast of Kaiyang County, with the area of 2 km2 and the elevation of 1166.4 m. It is cliffy at all sides and smooth at the top. In Xianfeng and Tongzhi reigns of the Qing Dynasty, the peasant insurrectionary army, led by He Desheng, was quartered here for many years. Its ruins still exist.

Mount Nanwang (another name: Mount Nanshan), in the east of Xifeng County, with the area of 80 km2. The highest peak --- Nanjiding, the highest in Xifeng County, is 1749.6 m above sea level. The scenic spot --- Xuantian Cave is at the half way of the mountain. The mineral resources, such as coal and phosphate rock are rich here.

Mount Xiwang (another name: Mount Xishan), in the middle of Xifeng County, with the area of 94 km2. The highest peak --- Zhaiyakou is 1622.8 m above sea level. The jagged rocks of grotesque shapes stand in great number. The peaks and the ridges are called “nine hills and thirteen windings”. 8 temples are used to be in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The ruins still exist.

Mount Zhaobi (another name: Mount Xiangbao), in the northeast of Guiyang urban districts, with the elevation of 1172 m. The isolated hill protrudes, just like a screen. There are some temples at the top, built in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Mount Qianling, Dongshan and Zhaobi are three famous scenes in Guiyang.

Mount Guodiqing, in the north of Wudang District, with the area of 90 km2. The highest peak --- Daguanshan is 1564 m above sea level. Here the peaks are precipitous around, crisscross streams are distributed and there is a low-lying land in the middle. There is a large expanse of primeval forest in this mountainous area with many kinds of plants, such as gymnosperm of China fir, pine, ginkgo, maire yew, fortune plum-yew, turczaninow hornbeam, diverseleaf fig, black nanmu, azalea, emmenopterys henryi, over 70 varieties. Wild animals, such as wild sheep, river deer, hare, pangolin, etc. are discovered here.

Mount Yunwu, at the juncture between Baiyun and Wudang districts in the north of the city, with the area of 20 km2. The highest peak --- Miaowoding is the highest in Guiyang City, with the elevation of 1659 m. Here is abundant in bauxite resources. Guizhou TV translator station and the weather station are established at the top.

Mount Huangdipo, in the southeast of Huaxi District, with the area of 50 km2. The highest peak is 1655.9 m above sea level. Except for some expanses of pine and fir at the south slope and the northeast slope, the main plants are bushes and weeds. The mountain streams run into Lianjiang River. At Baiqiaoshan, on the north of the highest peak, there is the tomb of Zhou Yuhuang who was the famous poet of Guizhou in Kangxi Reign of the Qing Dynasty.

- Rivers

Guiyang is located on the watershed between Yangtse River and Pearl River systems.

Taking Tongmu Ridge, Huaxi District, as the boundary, the rivers on its south belong to Pearl River system and the rivers on its north belong to Yangtse River system. The former area is 7631.67 km2 and the later area is 415 km2, accounting for 94.8% and 5.2% of the total land area of the city respectively. The depth of natural runoff in Guiyang is 545-640 mm and the water volume of 563000 m2 for each square meter of land is produced, which is higher than the average value of the country. The total volume of water resources is 4.679×109 m3, accounting for 3.9% of that of the province.

The rivers in the south of Guiyang are the upper reaches of Mengjiang River --- Qingyan River on the right with the length of 30 km in the boundaries and Malin River on the left with the length of 19 km in the boundaries, both of which have small flows. As the focal point, the rivers in the boundaries, belonging to Yangtse River, are introduced as follows. Wujiang River, a southern tributary of Yangtse River, has the largest drainage area within the boundaries of Guizhou Province. It rises in Weining Autonomous County, Guizhou, runs from the northwest to the southeast, turns northeastward in Puding County and then northward in Sinan County, and last flows to Sichuan Province through Guankongba, Yanhe Autonomous County. On its running way, it brings over 1000 km2 of the drainage area and 16 tributaries. Wujiang runs through 23 counties, cities and prefectures (special zones) of Guizhou, with the total length of 874 km in Guizhou boundaries (including 72 km of boundary river between Guizhou and Sichuan) and the total drainage area of 66800 km2. The reach from Puding to Huawuji, Qianxi County, is called Sancha River and the reach from Huawuji to Wujiangdu, Zunyi, is called Yachi River, in which the reach in Xiuwen County is also called Liuguang River. The lower reach of Wujiangdu is called Wujiang River. The upper reach, from the source to Huawuji, 326 km long, runs through Qianxi, Qingzhen, Xiuwen, Jinsha, Xifeng, Zunyi and Kaiyang counties northeastward; the middle reach, 367 km long, runs through Weng'an, Meitan, Yuqing, Fenggang and Sinan counties, bringing Maotiao, Yuqing and Shiqian rivers; the lower reach, 345 km long, flows into Yangtse River through Sinan County, Guizhou Province and Fuling City, Sichuan Province. Either the main stream or the tributary streams of Wujiang have a large drop, so the water resources are abundant. Many large, medium or small- sized hydropower stations have been built up on its running way. For example, the key step hydropower stations at Wujiangdu and Maotiao have the installed gross capacity of 869000 kw. Dongfeng and Puding stations are under construction, with the installed gross capacity of 585000 km. The power is supplied to Guiyang, Zunyi, Anshun, Liupanshui, and so on. Yachi River, one section of the reaches of the main stream of Wujiang (it is called Liuguang River in Xiuwen boundaries), 150 km long, runs through the canyons with rich water resources. Two large-sized hydropower stations --- Dongfeng station on Yachi River (Qingzhen City) and Wujiangdu station in Wujiangdu (Zunyi County) --- are built up. Maotiao River, a southern tributary of Wujiang, rises in Toupu, Anshun City, runs through Anshun, Pingba and Qingzhen from the southwest to the north, turns northwestward through the boundaries between Baiyun and Wudang districts of Guiyang City, then runs along the boundaries between Qingzhen and Xiuwen to the vicinity of Qinggangba, Qingzhen City, and last flows into Wujiang River. The main stream is 181 km long and the drainage area is 3248 km2. The valleys at the middle and lower reaches are incised and the bad is precipitous. So, the water resources are rich. Two large-sized reservoirs (Hongfeng Lake and Baihua Lake) and six step hydropower stations have been built up. Xifeng River (another name: Chaoshui River), a southern tributary of Wujiang, rises in Maochang Township, Xifeng County, runs eastward to Nanqiao and then turns northward, brings the tributary Toudao River at Dahekou, and last flows into Wujiang in the vicinity of Manaoshi. The total length is 50 km. Xiaoqiaohe and Dizhai reservoirs have been built up. Naming River, a southern tributary of Wujiang, rises in the boundaries between Pingba County and Huaxi District, Guiyang City, runs through Huaxi District, Guiyang city proper, Wudang District and the boundaries between Longli and Kaiyang counties from the southwest to the northeast, brings Dushui River at Liangchahe, Longli County, turns northward through the boundaries among Kaiyang, Fuquan and Weng'an to Qingshuizhu, Kaiyang County, and last flows into Wujiang. The main stream is 215 km long. The reach of running through Huaxi District is called Huaxi River. After running to the city proper, it is called Nanming River; after bringing Dushui River, it is called Qingshuijiang River. The main tributaries include Xiaoche, Dingba, Nangong and Wengzhao rivers. The drainage area is 6600 km2 with rich water resources. The theoretical reserves of water energy are about 320000 kw. It is the important water resource of Guiyang for industry, living and farmland irrigation. Many medium or small-sized reservoirs (such as Huaxi, Songbaishan, Aha, Xiaoguan, Xiaochong, Huamachong, Yueliangshi, etc.) and over 10 hydropower stations have been built up. Nangong River (another name: Yuliang River), a tributary of Nanming River, rises in Sanyuan Township, Xiuwen County, runs westward and turns northward through Zhazuo, then, northeastward in Kaiyang (it is called Qinghe in this reach). It brings Baishui River at Xiaoyanjiao, turns northeastward and then eastward. After confluence with Bai'an River, it is called Nangong River which runs to Liangchahe and flows into Nanming River (Qingshui River). It is 80 km long and the drainage area is 1033 km2. The theoretical reserves of water energy are 57800 kw. Three reservoirs and five small-sized hydropower stations have been built up.

- Reservoirs

Hongfeng Lake, located in the southwest of Qingzhen City, has a water area of 57.2

km2 and a total storage capacity of 642106 km3. There is a hydropower station with the installed capacity of 20000 kw. More than 70 islands are distributed over the reservoir area. Green hills and rippled lake just like a landscape painting. It has been defined as the national scenic area, which includes the spots of Hongfeng Park, Maple Leaf Villa, Water Recreation Ground, Flower and Fish Cave, General Bay, as well as the distinctive ethnic Dong village, Miao village and Buyi village, with the area of 240 km2. Relying on its natural beauty, Hongfeng Lake enjoys the tourists at home and abroad so much as to forget to go back.

Baihua Lake, located on the middle reaches of Maotiao River and in the boundaries between Qingzhen City and Zhuchang Town, Wudang District, has a comprehensive benefit of power generation, water supply, irrigation, aquaculture and tourism, with a water area of 14.5 km2 and a storage capacity of 190106 m3. There is a hydropower station with the installed capacity of 22000 kw. It is a provincial scenic area, including the spots of Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, Mount Yanbi, Three Villages and Five Forts, Baihua Villa, Artificial Sand Beach, Lakeside Park, etc. At the hills, luxuriant ancient trees are inverted reflection in the clear water.

Dongfeng Lake, located on Yachi River, 60 km away from Qingzhen city proper, has a water area of 19.7 km2 and a storage capacity of 1×109 m3. It is formed because of Dongfeng Hydropower Station that has an installed capacity of 525000 kw. On both of the banks the precipices are high and steep, having the distinctive feature of plateau.

Huaxi Reservoir, located on Huaxi Town, the upper reaches of Nanming River, has a water area of 1.4 km2 and a storage capacity of 2.62×106 m3. There is a hydropower station with an installed capacity of 3120 kw. Huaxi Park is just below the station dam, where the natural scenery is unique, enjoying the title of “Plateau Pearl”.

Aha Reservoir, located on the upper reaches of Xiaoche River --- the tributary of Nanming River, is a medium-sized reservoir mainly used to supply water for city, with a storage capacity of 54.5×106 m3. The Lake is surrounded by Mount Nine Dragons, Flame Hill and Rhinoceros Slope. Seven islands tower over the lake. The landscape is beautiful.

Songbaishan Reservoir, located in Dangwu Township, Huaxi District, the upper reaches of Nanming River, is mainly used for irrigation, concurring for water supply and power generation. There is a hydropower station with an installed capacity of 2000 kw and a storage capacity of 47.6×106 m3.

Hongyan Reservoir, located on the boundaries Between Qingzhen and Xiuwen, has a storage capacity of 27.52×106 m3. There is a hydropower station with an installed capacity of 30000 kw.

Moreover, there are Yingyan Reservoir (Qingzhen City) with a storage capacity of 6.57×106 m3, Yanyingshan Reservoir (Xiuwen County) with a storage capacity of 17.55×106 m3, Xiaoqiaohe and Hongma reservoirs (Xifeng Coounty) with a total storage capacity of 6.74×106 m3, Shisancun and Wengjing reservoirs (Kaiyang County) with a total storage capacity of 8.5×106 m3.

- Hot Springs

Xifeng Spring is located in Wenquan Township, on the northeast of Shuijing Town of this county, 41.2 km away from the county seat. The hot spring is concentrated on three places with 11 mouths. At the largest spring mouth, the water flow rate is 1.5 L/sec. The gushing amount of water is 1032 t/d, the water temperature is about 53?-56?, the hardness is 12.9-14.3 and the degree of mineralization is 298 mg/L. The water belongs to the type of calcium bicarbonate, containing metasilicate and strontium as well as many other trace elements and chemical compositions good for people's health. In addition, it is characterized by higher water temperature and high radon contents. Xifeng Spring is one of the famous hot springs at home and a famous convalescent resort in Guizhou Province, where the necessary health facilities have been built up, such as sanatorium, hospital, bathroom, swimming pool, villa, hostel, etc. Machahe Spring, Kaiyang County, is located in Yongwen Township, about 14 km away northwest from the county seat. The flow rate is 4.65 L/sec., the gushing amount is 400 t/d and the water temperature is about 41?. The water belongs to the type of calcium bicarbonate – magnesium, containing metasilicate, strontium and zinc as well as many other trace elements and chemical compositions good for people's health. The sparkling and tasty water has medical and drinking value. In this county, there is another hot spring --- Baimahe Spring, which is located in Baima Township, 21 km away from the south of the county. It has 3 spring mouths with the water temperature of 21?-24? and the flow rate of 6.5 L/sec., belonging to the low-temperature mineral water of the type of calcium bicarbonate – calcium sulfate – magnesium.

- Climate

Guiyang falls within the monsoon climate in subtropical zone that is temperate and humid without severe winters or hot summers, characterized by abundant rainfall and longer frost-free period. Annually, the temperature averages 15?, the rainfall is 1197 mm, the sunshine time is about 1278 hours, the relative humidity is 76.9% and the frost-free period is about 270 days. But drought or waterlogging often occurs because of the rainfall unbalance among the seasons. In addition, some natural disasters, such as the returned chill in early spring, the hailstone in early summer, the White Dew wind in autumn, the sleet in winter, are disadvantageous to industry, agriculture and traffic. In the year of 2000, Guiyang has the average temperature of 13.9?, lower than usual years; the rainfall of 1424.5 mm, higher than usual years; the sunshine time of 1124.5 hours, less 161 hours than usual years. The climates in all seasons are as follows: in the winter, dry and warm in early days, as well as cold, excessive rain and freezing snow in middle and later days; in the spring, lower average temperature, normal rainfall, excessive rain; in the summer, lower average temperature, excessive and well-distributed rainfall, no excessive rainstorm; in the autumn, lower average temperature, lower rainfall, usual sunshine time equally with the average value.