2014年2月17日星期一

Beihai (北海)

Introduction
Beihai, southernmost city of Guangxi, is located on the northeast shore of the Beibu Gulf (北部湾, Gulf of Tonkin), and adjoins Guangdong Province in the east. The total area of Beihai is 3,337 km2, and the population is 1,539,300. It contains three districts and one county: Haicheng District (海城区), Yinhai District (银海区), Tieshangang District (铁山港区) and Hepu County (合浦县).

Beihai, a beautiful city that has a subtropical seaside scene, is honored with the title of "China Excellent Tourism City" (中国优秀旅游城市). It has a long history of opening up and a profound cultural background, and it is also an important port of departure of the Maritime Silk Road. Now Beihai is one of the state-listed famous historical and cultural cities (国家历史文化名城).


Etymology
The name "Beihai" (北海), which means "north of the sea", comes from a fishing village of the same name on the north coast. The land was first developed by Tanka (疍家) fishermen and they lived in the village near the harbor for years. The village was so named because the sea is to the north of the harbor.

According to historical data records, the word "Beihai" can date back to the Song dynasty (宋朝) or even the Wei Jin Southern and Northern Dynasties (魏晋南北朝). It was officially used as a place name in the Qing dynasty (清朝). The Qing government established Beihai Zhenbiao (北海镇标)[1] in the first year of Kangxi (康熙元年, 1662). And Beihai City began to form in the period of the Qianlong Emperor (乾隆年间).


Climate
Beihai has a subtropical maritime monsoon climate characterized by warm temperatures, high humidity, high air quality, plenty of rainfall and sunshine. The average annual temperature is 22.9 (73.2 ), while extremes have ranged from 2.0 to 37.1 (35.6 to 98.8 ). The average annual rainfall is 1670 mm (65.75 inches), and the average annual hours of sunshine are 2,009. Major meteorological disasters include typhoons, spring droughts, overcast and rainy days, heavy downpours, Hanlufengs (寒露风)[2], Frost injuries (霜冻), etc.

Every year, the rainfall and humidity begins to increase gradually in spring, and sometimes continuous overcast and rainy weather will occur. The average maximum temperature in summer is 32-33 (90-91 ). Though it is not too high, you'll feel hot and humid because of the high humidity. In addition, the summer is a season of rains and typhoons. Heavy rains frequently occur and the monthly rainfall may be up to 300-400 mm (11.8-15.7 inches). In autumn the rainfall declines sharply and the air is crisp. The rainfall is much less in winter and the monthly rainfall is approximately 20-30 mm (0.79-1.18 inches). The weather is not cold and the average temperature is around 15 (59 ). In short, April to November is the best time of year to visit Beihai.


1.     The Zhenbiao (镇标) is the Green Standard Army (绿营兵) which was commanded by Zongbing (总兵, a brigadier general) in the Qing dynasty.
2.     Hanlufeng (寒露风) is a cold weather that causes a reduction of rice production when the cold air invades and the temperature significantly drops in autumn. It happens in South China in Hanlu (寒露), which is one of the 24 solar terms (节气).

没有评论:

发表评论