Yaozhuang Hui Ethnic Township in Jiaxian County, Pingdingshan

Location and Administrative Division

Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township (姚庄回族乡, Yaoshuang Huizu Minzu Xiang) is situated in the southeastern part of Jia County (郏县), Pingdingshan City (平顶山市), Henan Province (河南省), China. It is bordered to the southeast by Likou Town (李口镇), to the southwest by Lizhuang Township (李庄乡) in Baofeng County (宝丰县), and to the northeast, north, and west by Tangjie Town (堂街镇). The township is located approximately 15 kilometers from the city center of Jia County and covers an area of 7.54 square kilometers.

Historical Background

  • March 1948: The Yaoshuang Township Office (姚庄乡公所) was established.
  • April 15, 1985: Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township was officially founded.
  • As of 2018: The registered population of Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township was 10,036 people.

Administrative Divisions

Historical Administrative Changes

  • 1948: The Yaoshuang Township Office was established.
  • August 1956: Yaoshuang Township was merged into Tangjie Central Township (堂街中心乡).
  • April 15, 1985: Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township was re-established.

Administrative Structure

  • 1997: Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township was divided into six administrative villages: Nansanlang Temple (南三郎庙), Yaoshuang (姚庄), Xiezhuang (解庄), Xiaocui Village (小崔庄), Libaisi Village (礼拜寺), and Xiaozhang Village (小张庄).
  • As of 2011: The township included these six villages and had a total of 46 village groups.
  • As of June 2020: The six administrative villages are Nansanlang Temple Village (南三郎庙村), Libaisi Village (礼拜寺村), Xiaozhang Village (小张庄村), Xiaocui Village (小崔庄村), Xiezhuang Village (解庄村), and Yaoshuang Village (姚庄村). The township government is located in the east section of Minzu Unity Avenue in Nansanlang Temple Village.

Geography and Climate

Location and Terrain

Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township is located in the southeastern part of Jia County. It borders Likou Town to the southeast, Lizhuang Township to the southwest, and Tangjie Town to the northeast, north, and west. The total area is 7.54 square kilometers.

Topography

The area is situated in the transitional zone from the outer foothills of the Fangshan Mountains (方山) and the eastern slopes of the Funiu Mountains (伏牛山) to the plains of eastern Henan. The terrain slopes from south to north, with an elevation ranging from 99 meters to 114 meters.

Climate

The township experiences a warm temperate continental monsoon climate. The main features are distinct seasons, relatively long sunshine duration, adequate heat, and relatively low precipitation. The average annual sunshine is about 2,170 hours, with an average annual precipitation of 74.6 millimeters. The frost-free period lasts approximately 205 days per year.

Hydrology

The rivers within Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township are part of the Huai River (淮河) basin, specifically the Shaying River (沙颍河) system. Seasonal rivers such as the Yunliang River (运粮河) and the Dougou River (陡沟河) flow through the area.

Natural Disasters

The primary natural disaster in the area is flooding, which occurs mainly in July and August. A significant flood disaster occurred in July 2000, affecting over 6,000 mu (about 4,000 acres) of farmland, causing damage to over 100 homes, destroying more than 4,000 meters of roads, and resulting in an economic loss of over 3 million RMB.

Natural Resources

Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township has shallow groundwater resources, which contain trace elements like germanium and strontium, and are identified as high-quality mineral water. In 2011, the township had 8,640 mu (about 5.8 square kilometers) of arable land, 300 mu (0.2 square kilometers) of grassland, and 600 mu (0.4 square kilometers) of forest land.

Population

  • As of 2011: The total population was 8,265, with an additional 352 transient individuals. The demographic breakdown was 4,349 males (52.6%) and 3,916 females (47.4%). Of the population, 1,579 were under 14 years old (19.1%), 5,036 were aged 15-64 years (60.9%), and 1,650 were 65 years or older (20%). The Hui ethnic group constituted the majority with 4,719 people (57.1%). The birth rate was 7.86‰, the death rate was 4.47‰, and the natural population growth rate was 3.39‰. The population density was 918 people per square kilometer.
  • As of 2017: The resident population was 8,503.
  • As of 2018: The registered population was 10,036.

Transportation

How to Get There

  • By Car: Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township is accessible by road. It is approximately 15 kilometers from the center of Jia County. Driving from Pingdingshan City takes around 45 minutes.
  • By Bus: Public bus services are available from Pingdingshan City to Jia County, and local buses or taxis can be used to reach Yaoshuang.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station is in Pingdingshan City. From there, take a bus or taxi to Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township.

Travel Tips

  • Local Culture: The Hui ethnic group has unique cultural practices and cuisine. Respect local traditions and customs.
  • Best Time to Visit: The best times to visit are during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is pleasant.
  • Local Cuisine: Try Hui dishes, especially lamb and beef specialties.
  • Essential Services: Basic services are available in the township. For more specialized needs, visit nearby towns or Pingdingshan City.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Origin of the Name

In March 1948, the township office was established in Yaoshuang Village (姚庄村). Due to the significant Hui ethnic population, the area was later designated as Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township.

Honors and Awards

  • October 8, 2018: Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township was selected as one of the “2018 China Beautiful Leisure Villages.”
  • June 20, 2020: The township was named as one of the first batch of “Beautiful Towns” in Henan Province.
  • August 2020: Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township was included in the “2019 National Sanitary Township (County Town)” list.
  • June 28, 2021: The Jia County Yaoshuang Hui Ethnic Township Party Committee was honored as a “National Advanced Grassroots Party Organization” by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
  • December 2021: The township was proposed to be named as an “Advanced Unit in the Creation of Rule of Law Townships (Streets)” in Henan Province.