Hujia Hui Ethnic Town in Jiutai District, Changchun
Huji Hui Ethnic Township长春市九台区胡家回族乡 is located in Jiutai District (九台区), Changchun City (长春市), Jilin Province (吉林省). It lies in the eastern part of Jiutai District, bordered by Mangka Manchu Township (莽卡满族乡) to the east, Changyi District’s Liangjiazi Manchu Township (昌邑区两家子满族乡) to the south, Mushi River Town’s Lu Village (沐石河镇卢家村) to the west, and Qitam Town (其塔木镇) to the north. It is 54 kilometers away from the Jiutai District government, covering a total area of 168.95 square kilometers.
Historical Background
- 1960: Huji Township was established as Huji Commune.
- 1964: It was renamed Huji Hui Ethnic Township Commune.
- 1981: The Huji Hui Ethnic Township Commune was restructured into Huji Hui Ethnic Township.
As of the end of 2018, Huji Hui Ethnic Township had a registered population of 24,202. By June 2020, the township had 9 administrative villages, with the township government based in Baoshan Village (宝山村).
Administrative Division
As of 2011, Huji Hui Ethnic Township comprised 9 administrative villages:
- Baoshan Village (宝山村)
- Hongshi Village (红石村)
- Zhoujia Village (周家村)
- Xiao Han Village (小韩村)
- Baizi Village (稗子村)
- Luogu Village (锣鼓村)
- Gejia Village (葛家村)
- Fengmi Village (蜂蜜村)
- Erquan Village (二泉村)
By June 2020, the township still included these 9 administrative villages, with the township government located in Baoshan Village.
Geographic Environment
Location
Huji Hui Ethnic Township is situated in the eastern part of Jiutai District. The central coordinates are approximately 126°19′E longitude and 44°16′N latitude. It is bordered by Mangka Manchu Township to the east, Liangjiazi Manchu Township in Changyi District to the south, Lu Village in Mushi River Town to the west, and Qitam Town to the north.
Terrain and Topography
The township is located on the northern foothills of the Dahei Mountain (大黑山) in a semi-mountainous hilly region. The terrain is higher in the southwest and lower in the northeast, featuring a range of hills and valleys. Major mountains include Jiguanshan (鸡冠山), also known as Hadarazi Mountain (哈达拉子山), and Heibei Mountain (黑背山), also known as E’tou Mountain (鹅头山). The highest peak is Jiguanshan, reaching 558 meters above sea level. The lowest point is in Fengmi Village (蜂蜜村), with an elevation of 188 meters.
Climate
The township has an average annual temperature of 4.7°C. January temperatures average -24°C, with an extreme low of -34°C recorded on January 21, 2002. In July, temperatures average 23°C, with an extreme high of 31°C recorded on July 29, 2006. The growing season lasts approximately 135 days, with a frost-free period averaging 135 days, ranging from 128 to 142 days. The area experiences an average annual precipitation of 580 millimeters, with 48 rainy days on average, peaking at 60 days in 1970 and as few as 30 days in 2006. The highest recorded annual rainfall was 700 millimeters in 1970, and the lowest was 400 millimeters in 2006. Rainfall is concentrated from June to August, with July being the wettest month.
Hydrology
The township is part of the Songhua River Basin (松花江流域). The largest river in the area is Zhangzhuangzi River (张庄子河), flowing from Zhoujia to the Songhua River, passing through Zhoujia, Xiao Han, Baoshan, and Fengmi villages. It has a length of 20 kilometers and a drainage area of 90 square kilometers, with an average annual flow rate of 2 cubic meters per second. Other rivers include Shuangquan River (双泉河), flowing from Baizi Village (稗子村) to the Songhua River, and passing through Hongshi (红石) and Erquan (二泉) villages.
Natural Disasters
Common natural disasters in Huji Hui Ethnic Township include floods, droughts, strong winds, and hail. Flooding occurs every 3-4 years, particularly in July and August, with a major flood on July 28, 1970, destroying 30 hectares of farmland. A severe hailstorm on July 20, 1980, affected all 9 villages, damaging crops over 120 hectares, and reducing corn yields by over 30%. In 2010, strong winds resulted in the collapse of corn crops over 168 hectares, with a yield reduction of over 30%.
Population
- 2011: The township had a total population of 24,243, with 2,078 residing in urban areas, resulting in an urbanization rate of 8.5%. There were 132 transient residents. The population included 12,500 males (51.6%) and 11,743 females (48.4%). Children under 14 years old numbered 3,626 (15%), those aged 15-64 years old totaled 18,837 (77.7%), and those 65 years and older numbered 1,780 (7.3%). Han Chinese made up the majority with 20,043 individuals (82.7%), while Hui, Manchu, Korean, and Mongolian minorities totaled 4,200 (17.3%). The birth rate was 4.3‰, the death rate was 5‰, and the natural population growth rate was -0.7‰. The population density was 143 people per square kilometer.
- 2017: The permanent resident population was 17,028.
- End of 2018: The registered population was 24,202.
Transportation
How to Get There
- By Air: The nearest major airport is Changchun Longjia International Airport (长春龙嘉国际机场), approximately 60 kilometers from Huji Hui Ethnic Township. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to Jiutai District and then transfer to local transport to the township.
- By Train: You can take a train to Changchun Railway Station (长春火车站) and then transfer to a bus or taxi to Jiutai District. From Jiutai, local transport will take you to Huji Hui Ethnic Township.
- By Road: Drive or take a bus from Changchun to Jiutai District via G301 Highway (G301高速公路). From Jiutai, continue by local road to reach Huji Hui Ethnic Township, which is about 54 kilometers from Jiutai District Government.
Local Transportation
Within Huji Hui Ethnic Township, there are 9 township-level roads with a total length of 125 kilometers. In 2011, the township had one passenger transport station with an average daily dispatch of 16 buses. The local transport fleet included 30 freight vehicles and 3 passenger vehicles with 90 seats.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are the best times to visit due to mild weather and clear skies. Summer can be hot and rainy, while winter temperatures can be extremely low.
- Local Cuisine: Try local Hui dishes, particularly those featuring beef and mutton. Look for local markets and shops in the township for a taste of traditional Hui cuisine.
- Cultural Respect: Be respectful of local Hui customs and traditions. Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites.
- Accommodation: Consider staying in Jiutai District for a wider range of accommodation options. Day trips to explore Huji Hui Ethnic Township can be easily arranged from Jiutai.