Weifang Overview

Basic Information

• Chinese Name: 潍坊市
• Location: Situated in the central part of the Shandong Peninsula
• Area: About 15,859 square kilometers
• Population: 93,630,000
• Language: Weifang dialect, Liaojiao Mandarin and Jilu Mandarin

Administrative Division

As a prefecture-level city, Weifang administers 12 county-level divisions that include 4 districts, 6 county-level cities and 2 counties.

• 4 districts: Weicheng District (潍城区), Hanting District (寒亭区), Fangzi District (坊子区), Kuiwen District (奎文区)
  6 county-level cities: Qingzhou City (青州市), Zhucheng City (诸城市), Shouguang City (寿光市), Anqiu City (安丘市), Gaimi City (高密市), Changyi City (昌邑市)
• 2 counties: Linqu County (临朐县), Changle County (昌乐县)

Geography

Weifang is situated in the eastern part of Shandong Peninsula. It borders Taiyi Mountains in the south, Laizhou Bay of Bohai Sea in the north, Qingdao and Yantai in the east and Dongying and Zibo in the west, locating in a significant place which must be passed if Shandong hinterland and the peninsula areas develop connections. Besides, Jioaji Railway goes through the city from east to west.

From north to south and low to high, the landform of Weifang city forms a few steps. Generally, there are 3 landform areas including lowland, plain and low hills and 18 landform types. The area between Laizhou Bay and Salt-water Boundary Line belongs to low-lying terrain which has an average height less than 7 meters about sea level, with an area about 2,631 square kilometers, accounting for 15% of total area.

There are mainly 6 surface water systems in Weifang city, including Weihe River, Mihe River, Bailang River, Nanjiaolaihe River, Beijiaolaihe River, and Zihe River. Also, there are hundreds of other rivers and streams. Due to the limitation of natural conditions, the surface runoff mainly comes from the atmospheric precipitation.

Climate

Weifang city belongs to the north temperature monsoon region. Facing the sea in front and being impacting by the Eurasian Continent, it represents the warm temperate semi-humid continuous monsoon climate. Annual average temperature here is 12.3℃. With an average temperature of minus 3.3 ℃ in January, it is the coldest month of the year. The hottest month is July that is with an average temperature of 26℃.

The Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Weifang if spring since the weather is lovely and suitable for travel and it is the season of welcoming new life so that you could appreciate new sceneries in natural sites. Also, you could join the Weifang International Kites Festival in April. Besides, autumn is good season to visit as well. Autumn enjoys clear sky and fresh air, and Yishan Mountain is famous for “red leaves” which could be seen in fall. This season is agreeable for kite flying as well.

Things to Do

For visitors to Weifang city, kite flying is a must for most of them because it is the birthplace of kites, known as the world kite capital. In addition to try kite flying, tourists could visit the city’s Kite Museum which is the first large kite museum in China and it collects a variety of kites at home and abroad. Besides, Fangci Town belongs to German and Japanese-style architecture groups which witnesses hundreds of years but still remains original charm. It is a good tourist attraction to visit. Then, Shihu Garden, which is most well-reserved and has the south China styles’ private garden, is also a recommended site to visit. As a city with lots of tourist sites, you could visit many other tourist destinations here.

Transportation

Fairly complete transportation systems have been established in Weifang. The systems cover expressway, highway, waterway, railway and other basic inner city transportation tools like bus. Especially the waterway, Weifang is an important port city in China. The waterway here is focused well both in better construction and running. For railway, several major railway lines cross the city offering favorable development for train and high-speed service.

History& Culture

Weifang saw a long history. Historic relics of more than 7,000 years ago were unearthed in this time-honored city. During the Xia and Shang dynasties (21st - 11th century BC), small kingdoms lay scattered all over the domain of Weifang. When it came to the period of varying dynasties, it experienced changes and movement, which caused it develop further and better. For example, it was governed by several States covering Zhenguan, Zhenxun, Han, Sanshou, etc. in Xia-Shang Period. In Spring and Autumn Period, Qi, Lu, Qi, Lv State, etc. controlled the area. Later, it witnessed many other dynasties like Qing, Han, Three Kingdoms Period, etc. After the Qin (221BC-206BC) united China, the central government of the successive dynasties all set counties and shires to administrate this region. No matter what era it experienced, it is no doubt that historical cultures in different times are treasures for Weifang.

Known as a famous historical handicraft city, Weifang enjoyed good fame in Emperor Qianlong Period. There was a proverb that said “southern Suzhou and northern Weixian”, which could show its impact on that period. When it comes to handicraft products, we could not ignore those traditional Weifang handicraft products, such as kites, New Year wood-block printings, silver inlaid lacquer wares, antique brass, carving products, cloth toys, etc.

Historically, Weifang was a renowned home of handicraft. It enjoyed good fame in Emperor Qianlong Period. There was a proverb that said “southern Suzhou and northern Weixian”, which could show its impact on that period. When it comes to handicraft products, we could not ignore those traditional Weifang handicraft products, such as kites, New Year wood-block printings, silver inlaid lacquer wares, antique brass, carving products, cloth toys, ornaments, embroidery, Annual Board of Yangjiabu, etc. As long as you pay a visit to Weifang, you would feel the title of the International Kite Capital is well-deserted.

When it comes to Weifang culture, kite culture here is an indispensable element. China is one of the countries that possesses the longest history of kites, and the city Weifang here in Shandong province which is known as a kites making and flying center in ancient time, witnesses the growth of kites and its precious culture.

Festival

Festivals and activities with local characteristics in tourist destinations are interesting and special events which are capable of showing tourists location cultures, customs, specialties, etc. In addition to traditional Chinese festivals which would be celebrated almost everywhere, there are various festivals and activities in each place. So you could take part in various activities in Weifang.

Tourism

Weifang offers various tourism resources and profound culture, which assists it welcome more visitors from all kinds of places. Also, as the favorable policy on tourism and much more complete construction of tourism service, it has become a popular tourist destination. In 2017, Weifang has received 68,055,000 tourists, with an increase of 11.3%, and totaled 77.59 billion yuan on tourism consumption, representing a growth of 14.6%. With 44 star-rated restaurants during which 16 ones are 4-star grade and 3 of them are 5-star restaurants, and 166 travel agencies including 12 agencies which help overseas tourism, and more and more service entities are under construction, Weifang will welcome prosperous future of tourism.

Dining

Located in the central part of Shandong Peninsula, Weifang has its unique features. There are a sort of snacks and dishes that show the spirits of the city, local customs and prosperous cultural contents. Also, abundant ingredients like vegetables and seafood are conductive to the diversity and freshness of local cuisine. And, with a long history, there are various dishes that have been passed on from ancient times and contain profound culture.