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Coordinates: 39°39′18″N 106°47′38″E / 39.655°N 106.794°E / 39.655; 106.794
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| area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on unit conversion-->
| area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on unit conversion-->
| area_urban_km2 = 67.17
| area_urban_km2 = 67.17
| area_urban_footnotes = &nbsp;(2017)<ref name="CUCSY_2017">{{cite book |editor1=Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development |editor-link=Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development |title=China Urban Construction Statistical Yearbook 2017 |date=2019 |publisher=China Statistics Press |location=Beijing |page=46 |url=http://www.mohurd.gov.cn/xytj/tjzljsxytjgb/jstjnj/w02019012421874448287322500.xls |access-date=11 January 2020}}</ref>
| area_urban_footnotes = &nbsp;(2017)<ref name="CUCSY_2017">{{cite book |editor1=Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development |editor-link=Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development |title=China Urban Construction Statistical Yearbook 2017 |date=2019 |publisher=China Statistics Press |location=Beijing |page=46 |url=http://www.mohurd.gov.cn/xytj/tjzljsxytjgb/jstjnj/w02019012421874448287322500.xls |access-date=11 January 2020 |archive-date=18 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618043019/http://www.mohurd.gov.cn/xytj/tjzljsxytjgb/jstjnj/w02019012421874448287322500.xls |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<!-- Elevation -------------------------->
<!-- Elevation -------------------------->
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
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|s=乌海 |t=烏海
|s=乌海 |t=烏海
|p=Wūhǎi
|p=Wūhǎi
|w={{tone superscript|Wu1-hai3}}
|mi={{IPAc-cmn|wu|1|.|h|ai|3}}
|bpmf=ㄨ ㄏㄞˇ
|l="Dark Sea"
|l="Dark Sea"
|mon=Үхай хот
|mon=Үхай хот
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}}
}}


'''Wuhai''' ({{zh|c=乌海市}}; {{lang-mn|[[File:Uhai.svg|20px]]}}''Üqai qota'', [[Mongolian Cyrillic alphabet|Mongolian cyrillic.]]Үхай хот) is a [[prefecture-level city]] and regional center in the [[Inner Mongolia]] [[Autonomous entities of China|Autonomous Region]], China, and is by area the smallest [[prefecture-level division]] of the region. It is located on the [[Yellow River]] between the [[Gobi Desert|Gobi]] and [[Ordos Desert|Ordos]] [[desert]]s. Wuhai became a single city occupying both banks of the Yellow River with the amalgamation on 1976 of left-bank (west) [[Uda District|Uda]] (then administrated by [[Bayan Nur|Bayan Nuur League]]) together with [[Haibowan]] on the right (east) bank (then administrated by [[Ordos City|Ikh Juu league]]). Wuhai is one of very few cities with an [[Antipodes|antipode]] which is not only on land (as opposed to open ocean), but which is another inhabited city; the antipode of Wuhai is almost exactly on the city of [[Valdivia]], Chile. Football commentator and Television host [[Huang Jianxiang]] is born here.
'''Wuhai''' ({{zh|c=乌海市}}; {{langx|mn|[[File:Uhai.svg|20px]]}}''Üqai qota'', [[Mongolian Cyrillic alphabet|Mongolian cyrillic.]]Үхай хот) is a [[prefecture-level city]] and regional center in the [[Inner Mongolia]] [[Autonomous entities of China|Autonomous Region]], China, and is by area the smallest [[prefecture-level division]] of the region. It is located on the [[Yellow River]] between the [[Gobi Desert|Gobi]] and [[Ordos Desert|Ordos]] [[desert]]s. Wuhai became a single city occupying both banks of the Yellow River with the amalgamation in 1976 of [[Wuda District|Wuda]] on the left (west) bank (then administrated by [[Bayan Nur|Bayan Nuur League]]) together with [[Haibowan District|Haibowan]] on the right (east) bank (then administrated by [[Ordos City|Ikh Juu league]]). Wuhai is one of very few cities with an [[Antipodes|antipode]] which is not only on land (as opposed to open ocean), but which is another inhabited city; the antipode of Wuhai is almost exactly on the city of [[Valdivia]], Chile. Football commentator and Television host [[Huang Jianxiang]] is born here.


== History ==
== History ==
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{{Image label|x=390|y=610|scale=244/1220|text=[[Haibowan District|'''Haibowan''']]}}
{{Image label|x=390|y=610|scale=244/1220|text=[[Haibowan District|'''Haibowan''']]}}
{{Image label|x=520|y=1760|scale=244/1220|text=[[Hainan District|'''Hainan''']]}}
{{Image label|x=520|y=1760|scale=244/1220|text=[[Hainan District|'''Hainan''']]}}
{{Image label|x=170|y=1140|scale=244/1220|text=[[Ud District|'''Ud''']]}}
{{Image label|x=170|y=1140|scale=244/1220|text=[[Wuda District|'''Wuda''']]}}
{{Image label end}}
</div>
</div>
|-
|-
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|----------
|----------
|3
|3
|[[Ud District]]
|[[Wuda District]]
|{{MongolUnicode|ᠤᠳᠠ ᠲᠣᠭᠣᠷᠢᠭ|style=max-height:2em;word-break:normal}}<br/>{{small|(Uda toɣoriɣ)}}
|{{MongolUnicode|ᠤᠳᠠ ᠲᠣᠭᠣᠷᠢᠭ|style=max-height:2em;word-break:normal}}<br/>{{small|(Uda toɣoriɣ)}}
|{{lang|zh-hans|乌达区}}
|{{lang|zh-hans|乌达区}}
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[[Image:Wuhai-west-desert.jpg|thumb|right|Eagle-eye view above Wuhai airport on the Yellow River. Visible sharp transition into Gobi desert dunes from the West side of the city]]Wuhai experiences a [[desert climate#Cold desert climates|cool arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''BWk''), characterized by freezing, dry winters and hot summers. Spring is dry, with occasional [[dust storm]]s, followed by early summer [[heat wave]]s. Summer tends to be hot with the greatest precipitation occurring in July and August. Because of the aridity, there tends to be considerable [[Diurnal temperature variation|diurnal variation in temperature]], except during the summer. The monthly 24-hour average temperature range from {{convert|&minus;8.1|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} in January to {{convert|26.1|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} in July, while the annual mean is {{convert|10.1|°C|°F|1|disp=or}}. Approximately 45 percent of the average annual precipitation falls in July and August.{{Weather box
[[Image:Wuhai-west-desert.jpg|thumb|right|Eagle-eye view above Wuhai airport on the Yellow River. Visible sharp transition into Gobi desert dunes from the West side of the city]]Wuhai experiences a [[desert climate#Cold desert climates|cool arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''BWk''), characterized by freezing, dry winters and hot summers. Spring is dry, with occasional [[dust storm]]s, followed by early summer [[heat wave]]s. Summer tends to be hot with the greatest precipitation occurring in July and August. Because of the aridity, there tends to be considerable [[Diurnal temperature variation|diurnal variation in temperature]], except during the summer. The monthly 24-hour average temperature range from {{convert|&minus;8.1|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} in January to {{convert|26.1|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} in July, while the annual mean is {{convert|10.1|°C|°F|1|disp=or}}. Approximately 45 percent of the average annual precipitation falls in July and August.{{Weather box
| width = auto
| width = auto
| metric first = yes
|metric first=y
| single line = Y
|single line=y
|collapsed = Y
| location = Wuhai (1981&ndash;2010 normals)
| location = Wuhai, elevation {{convert|1106|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (2004&ndash;2020 normals)
| Jan high C = −1.2
| Feb high C = 3.6
| Jan high C = −1.5
| Mar high C = 10.7
| Feb high C = 4.0
| Apr high C = 19.2
| Mar high C = 12.0
| May high C = 25.7
| Apr high C = 20.4
| Jun high C = 30.5
| May high C = 26.3
| Jul high C = 32.4
| Jun high C = 30.9
| Aug high C = 30.2
| Jul high C = 33.0
| Sep high C = 24.7
| Aug high C = 30.8
| Oct high C = 17.3
| Sep high C = 25.0
| Nov high C = 8.0
| Oct high C = 17.9
| Dec high C = 0.4
| Nov high C = 8.3
| Dec high C = -0.1


| Jan mean C = −8.1
| Jan mean C = −9.5
| Feb mean C = −3.4
| Feb mean C = −4.4
| Mar mean C = 3.8
| Mar mean C = 4.0
| Apr mean C = 12.2
| Apr mean C = 12.9
| May mean C = 19.1
| May mean C = 19.1
| Jun mean C = 24.1
| Jun mean C = 24.1
| Jul mean C = 26.1
| Jul mean C = 26.3
| Aug mean C = 23.9
| Aug mean C = 24.0
| Sep mean C = 18.3
| Sep mean C = 17.8
| Oct mean C = 10.3
| Oct mean C = 9.6
| Nov mean C = 1.0
| Nov mean C = 0.9
| Dec mean C = −6.1
| Dec mean C = −7.4


| Jan low C = −13.6
| Jan low C = −15.4
| Feb low C = −9.2
| Feb low C = -10.9
| Mar low C = −2.3
| Mar low C = −3.0
| Apr low C = 5.6
| Apr low C = 5.2
| May low C = 12.4
| May low C = 11.3
| Jun low C = 17.6
| Jun low C = 16.7
| Jul low C = 20.2
| Jul low C = 19.6
| Aug low C = 18.3
| Aug low C = 17.7
| Sep low C = 12.4
| Sep low C = 11.7
| Oct low C = 4.3
| Oct low C = 3.3
| Nov low C = −4.3
| Nov low C = −4.5
| Dec low C = −11.3
| Dec low C = −12.9
|Jan record high C = 12.0 |Jan record low C = -28.9
|Feb record high C = 18.9 |Feb record low C = -27.5
|Mar record high C = 26.0 |Mar record low C = -19.6
|Apr record high C = 36.4 |Apr record low C = -9.5
|May record high C = 36.3 |May record low C = -1.2
|Jun record high C = 38.8 |Jun record low C = 7.5
|Jul record high C = 41.0 |Jul record low C = 12.1
|Aug record high C = 39.1 |Aug record low C = 8.9
|Sep record high C = 37.6 |Sep record low C = -1.7
|Oct record high C = 28.2 |Oct record low C = -9.4
|Nov record high C = 22.2 |Nov record low C = -16.9
|Dec record high C = 15.2 |Dec record low C = -26.2
|year high C = |year low C =
|year high F = |year low F =
| precipitation colour = green
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 1.0
| Jan precipitation mm = 0.9
| Feb precipitation mm = 2.3
| Feb precipitation mm = 2.1
| Mar precipitation mm = 4.1
| Mar precipitation mm = 4.0
| Apr precipitation mm = 5.0
| Apr precipitation mm = 6.7
| May precipitation mm = 16.6
| May precipitation mm = 15.1
| Jun precipitation mm = 21.9
| Jun precipitation mm = 22.4
| Jul precipitation mm = 34.8
| Jul precipitation mm = 33.7
| Aug precipitation mm = 36.2
| Aug precipitation mm = 33.8
| Sep precipitation mm = 22.7
| Sep precipitation mm = 27.0
| Oct precipitation mm = 7.4
| Oct precipitation mm = 8.2
| Nov precipitation mm = 1.7
| Nov precipitation mm = 3.5
| Dec precipitation mm = 1.3
| Dec precipitation mm = 1.2
|Jan humidity = 50
|Jan humidity = 51
|Feb humidity = 42
|Feb humidity = 42
|Mar humidity = 34
|Mar humidity = 33
|Apr humidity = 28
|Apr humidity = 28
|May humidity = 30
|May humidity = 30
|Jun humidity = 35
|Jun humidity = 36
|Jul humidity = 43
|Jul humidity = 44
|Aug humidity = 47
|Aug humidity = 48
|Sep humidity = 48
|Sep humidity = 50
|Oct humidity = 45
|Oct humidity = 42
|Nov humidity = 46
|Nov humidity = 53
|Dec humidity = 49
|Dec humidity = 44

|source = China Meteorological Administration<ref name="cma graphical">{{cite web |url=http://data.cma.cn/data/weatherBk.html |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网 - WeatherBk Data |publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |access-date=2018-11-09}}</ref>
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
}}
|Jan precipitation days = 1.3
|Feb precipitation days = 1.3
|Mar precipitation days = 1.7
|Apr precipitation days = 2.2
|May precipitation days = 4.3
|Jun precipitation days = 5.7
|Jul precipitation days = 7.2
|Aug precipitation days = 6.9
|Sep precipitation days = 5.5
|Oct precipitation days = 2.7
|Nov precipitation days = 1.5
|Dec precipitation days = 1.2

|Jan snow days = 2.5
|Feb snow days = 2.1
|Mar snow days = 1.5
|Apr snow days = 0.4
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.7
|Nov snow days = 1.7
|Dec snow days = 2.0


|Jan sun = 206.1 |Jan percentsun = 68
|Feb sun = 216.4 |Feb percentsun = 71
|Mar sun = 259.0 |Mar percentsun = 69
|Apr sun = 278.9 |Apr percentsun = 70
|May sun = 315.0 |May percentsun = 71
|Jun sun = 306.6 |Jun percentsun = 69
|Jul sun = 302.5 |Jul percentsun = 67
|Aug sun = 288.7 |Aug percentsun = 69
|Sep sun = 251.8 |Sep percentsun = 68
|Oct sun = 254.2 |Oct percentsun = 75
|Nov sun = 217.7 |Nov percentsun = 74
|Dec sun = 200.4 |Dec percentsun = 69
|source 1 = {{CMA-Source}} }}


== Economy ==
== Economy ==
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The city's economy is heavily based on [[coal]] [[mining]], [[electric power]] generation, metal-working and chemical industries, but also on fruit ([[grapes]], [[winemaking]]) and [[dairy]] [[farming]]. Wuhai is a stop on the [[Baotou]]-[[Lanzhou]] rail line, and an [[airport]] was opened in 2003.
The city's economy is heavily based on [[coal]] [[mining]], [[electric power]] generation, metal-working and chemical industries, but also on fruit ([[grapes]], [[winemaking]]) and [[dairy]] [[farming]]. Wuhai is a stop on the [[Baotou]]-[[Lanzhou]] rail line, and an [[airport]] was opened in 2003.


Rock art in six places at the foot of the [[Zhuozi Shan]] (Mount Zhuozhi) has been dated back to the [[Xia Dynasty|Xia]], [[Shang Dynasty|Shang]], and [[Zhou Dynasty|Zhou Dynasties]], the [[Warring States period]], and the [[Han Dynasty]].
Rock art in six places at the foot of the [[Zhuozi Shan]] (Mount Zhuozhi) has been dated back to the [[Xia dynasty|Xia]], [[Shang dynasty|Shang]], and [[Zhou dynasty|Zhou]] dynasties, the [[Warring States period]], and the [[Han dynasty]].
<div style="clear:both">
<div style="clear:both">
{{Wide image|Wuhai Panorama2.jpg|3000px|Wuhai Panorama view from East Mountain}}
{{Wide image|Wuhai Panorama2.jpg|3000px|Wuhai Panorama view from East Mountain}}
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== Transportation ==
== Transportation ==


{{Update|section|date=April 2024}}
[[File:Wuhai Regional Airport.jpg|thumb|left|Wuhai Airport. View from RW 19]]
Wuhai is served by [[Wuhai Airport]] with flights to [[Beijing]], [[Shanghai]], [[Guangzhou]] and other cities.
Wuhai is served by [[Wuhai Airport]] with flights to [[Beijing]], [[Shanghai]], [[Guangzhou]] and other cities.


The under-construction [[Baotou–Yinchuan high-speed railway]] will provide connections to [[Baotou]] and [[Yinchuan]] at a design speed of 250km/h.
Wuhai lies on a major [[Yellow River]] train route, connecting a large number of cities in [[Inner Mongolia]], central and southern China. Travel time from Beijing by train is approximately 20 hours and prices range from 350 yuan (US$50) for 2nd class "hard sleeper" ticket to 480 yuan (US$75) for the 1st class "soft sleeper" ticket. Tickets from neighboring [[Baotou]] cost approx 53 yuan (US$8.6 as of 2014/09/15) for a 4-hour train journey.


Wuhai lies on a major [[Yellow River]] train route, connecting a large number of cities in [[Inner Mongolia]], central and southern China. Travel time from Beijing by train is approximately 20 hours and from [[Baotou]] about a 4-hour train journey.
Transportation within the city is very simple and affordable. Almost every other car is a taxi. Meter starts from 5 yuan (US$0.8) for the first 2 miles and 1.2 yuan (US$0.19) for every mile thereafter. Buses are very frequent and cost 1 yuan per person.

The [[Wuhai Yellow River Road Bridge]] is one of the Yellow River crossings in the city.


== Beijing PanAm International Aviation Academy (BPIAA) ==
== Beijing PanAm International Aviation Academy (BPIAA) ==
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At the end of 2008, following the World economic recession, the company, previously belonging to an American [[AIG]] Insurance Corporation, fell into financial difficulties and stopped operating awaiting injection of the new investment funds either from the Chinese government or independent investors.
At the end of 2008, following the World economic recession, the company, previously belonging to an American [[AIG]] Insurance Corporation, fell into financial difficulties and stopped operating awaiting injection of the new investment funds either from the Chinese government or independent investors.


== Dining, Entertainment and Night Life ==
== Dining, entertainment and night life ==
Wuhai's dining scene consists of numerous small bars and restaurants, catering for a range of [[Chinese cuisine|Chinese]], [[Mongolian cuisine|Mongolian]] and western cuisines. Popular dining choices are:
Wuhai's dining scene consists of numerous small bars and restaurants, catering for a range of [[Chinese cuisine|Chinese]], [[Mongolian cuisine|Mongolian]] and western cuisines. Popular dining choices are:


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[[Image:Seafood-wuhai.jpg|thumb|left|One of the seafood restaurants in Wuhai, keeping live stock of exotic fish]]
[[Image:Seafood-wuhai.jpg|thumb|left|One of the seafood restaurants in Wuhai, keeping live stock of exotic fish]]


There is a Mongolian style theme park built in the north-western part of the city. It offers authentic Mongolian-style dining in a traditional [[Yurt]] restaurant, camel rides and other activities. Desert Fun park is also located further north, offering dune cart rides, quad biking, dune jeep riding, etc.
There is a Mongolian style theme park built in the north-western part of the city. It offers authentic Mongolian-style dining in a traditional [[Yurt]] restaurant, camel rides and other activities.

A fair number and variety of local bars and clubs are located around the city, among them "100% Night Club", "Huang Kang" (daily life rock music by band "Fu Sha"), "V8 Bar" (popular dance music), and "Music Kitchen" (mix of professional and amateur life music performances).

A Colombian [[coffee]] house, called "The Plow Coffee" serving a selection of domestic and foreign coffees is located one block to the South-East of the central "People's Square" serves as a trendy and modern hang-out for foreigners and locals.


A large number of KTV (Karaoke) style bars are widely available around the city and enjoy a great popularity among locals.
A large number of KTV (Karaoke) style bars are widely available around the city and enjoy a great popularity among locals.
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[[Image:The-plow-party.jpg|thumb|right|One of the many Chinese and foreign parties at the Plow Coffee]]
[[Image:The-plow-party.jpg|thumb|right|One of the many Chinese and foreign parties at the Plow Coffee]]


== Recreation and Sports ==
== Recreation and sports ==


A number of very modern gyms with an average membership fee between $40 to US$60 per months are available for use in the city center and other convenient locations. Shi Ji Yuan Hotel offers good 25m swimming pool facilities (attendance fee around $2. No lifeguard). A modern round mini-stadium building, located in the middle of town, offers new tennis and basketball playgrounds as well as some ThaiJi and KungFu classes.
A number of very modern gyms with an average membership fee between $40 and US$60 per months are available for use in the city center and other convenient locations. Shi Ji Yuan Hotel offers good 25m swimming pool facilities (attendance fee around $2. No lifeguard). A modern round mini-stadium building, located in the middle of town, offers new tennis and basketball playgrounds as well as some ThaiJi and KungFu classes.


Mountain climbing is extremely popular activity among the locals and foreigners alike. There is a long mountain ridge located to the south-east of the city, a short walk away from its SE corner. Mountain peaks range from 400m AGL to 700m AGL and take approximately 1 to 2 hours to conquer, depending on your physical abilities. Beginner level climbers are likely to enjoy this hike. For the more advanced mountaineers, the highest peak to the south of the city is standing almost 1000m AGL tall and may be a little more challenging to climb. City charges no fees for mountain-climbing activities and welcomes anyone to try.
Mountain climbing is extremely popular activity among the locals and foreigners alike. There is a long mountain ridge located to the south-east of the city, a short walk away from its SE corner. Mountain peaks range from 400m AGL to 700m AGL and take approximately 1 to 2 hours to conquer, depending on your physical abilities. Beginner level climbers are likely to enjoy this hike. For the more advanced mountaineers, the highest peak to the south of the city is standing almost 1000m AGL tall and may be a little more challenging to climb. City charges no fees for mountain-climbing activities and welcomes anyone to try.
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[[Image:Wuhai-camels.jpg|thumb|left|Domesticated [[Bactrian camel|Bactrian]] camels of the [[Gobi Desert]] used for camel-rides and guest entertainment at a local desert theme park]]
[[Image:Wuhai-camels.jpg|thumb|left|Domesticated [[Bactrian camel|Bactrian]] camels of the [[Gobi Desert]] used for camel-rides and guest entertainment at a local desert theme park]]


== Housing Project Scandal ==
== Housing project scandal ==
Wuhai has been the center of public outrage when it was revealed that money originally assigned to build low income housing project was used to build extravagant office buildings instead [http://jjckb.xinhuanet.com/yw/2008-03/21/content_90030.htm].
Wuhai has been the center of public outrage when it was revealed that money originally assigned to build low income housing project was used to build extravagant office buildings instead [http://jjckb.xinhuanet.com/yw/2008-03/21/content_90030.htm]{{dead link|date=May 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}.


According to the 2006 official statistics by the local government, 45,344 households totaling 146,306 people, or over 30% of total population in the urban area, lived in shacks in the slums. These low income families had to deal with problems including the lacks of drainage, clean water supply and poor hygiene conditions. As a result, a housing project was planned to rebuild the area, starting in February, 2006. The plan called for 15% completion by the end of 2007, 40% completion respectively in 2008, and 2009, and the remaining by the end of 2010. In reality, however, the plan failed to materialize because not a single penny was provided. Subsequent investigation by auditing authorities and media investigation revealed that the [[Renminbi|CYN]] 150 million funds that were supposed used as the initial funding was used to build luxury office buildings instead.
According to the 2006 official statistics by the local government, 45,344 households totaling 146,306 people, or over 30% of total population in the urban area, lived in shacks in the slums. These low income families had to deal with problems including the lacks of drainage, clean water supply and poor hygiene conditions. As a result, a housing project was planned to rebuild the area, starting in February, 2006. The plan called for 15% completion by the end of 2007, 40% completion respectively in 2008, and 2009, and the remaining by the end of 2010. In reality, however, the plan failed to materialize because not a single penny was provided. Subsequent investigation by auditing authorities and media investigation revealed that the [[Renminbi|CYN]] 150 million funds that were supposed used as the initial funding was used to build luxury office buildings instead.


The new governmental office building, dubbed as the "Wuhai Urban Administrative Center Building", was located in the Binhe ({{lang|zh-Hans|滨河}}) New District. The building totaled 17 stories above the ground, with an addition one below the ground. In addition, there was also another 5-story building connected to this main building. The total area is around 61,168 square meters, with construction begun in March, 2006, and the building complex is expected to be fully operational before the end of 2008. The contractor admitted that the office building complex is as luxurious as a four-star hotel. Audits and investigation revealed that the building complex cost [[Renminbi|CYN]] 150 million, and the initial fund for the housing project to rebuild the slums populated by the low income families was used, causing the housing project to be stalled in idle.
The new governmental office building, dubbed as the "Wuhai Urban Administrative Center Building", was located in the Binhe ({{lang|zh-Hans|滨河}}) New District. The building totaled 17 stories above the ground, with an addition one below the ground. In addition, there was also another 5-story building connected to this main building. The total area is around 61,168 square meters, with construction begun in March, 2006, and the building complex is expected to be fully operational before the end of 2008. The contractor admitted that the office building complex is as luxurious as a four-star hotel. Audits and investigation revealed that the building complex cost [[Renminbi|CYN]] 150 million, and the initial fund for the housing project to rebuild the slums populated by the low income families was used, causing the housing project to be stalled in idle.


When the scandal was exposed by numerous Chinese media such as Economic Reference ({{lang|zh-Hans|[http://jjckb.xinhuanet.com 经济参考报]}}), it greatly angered the public. Further public outrage resulted in the fact that the current office building was already too extravagant: it occupies an area totaled 100,000 square meters, with over 20,000 square meters office space, and additionally, the current office building was just completed in October, 2001. Auditing and investigation also revealed that many cadres opposed the construction of the luxury office building complex and pointed out that according to the law, such project must be evaluated and approved by higher authorities, which it was highly unlikely because it would be nothing more than a waste for a show-piece project, and there was no money to fund such projects.
When the scandal was exposed by numerous Chinese media such as Economic Reference ({{lang|zh-Hans|[http://jjckb.xinhuanet.com 经济参考报]}}), it greatly angered the public. Further public outrage resulted in the fact that the current office building was already too extravagant: it occupies an area totaled 100,000 square meters, with over 20,000 square meters office space, and additionally, the current office building was just completed in October, 2001. Auditing and investigation also revealed that many cadres opposed the construction of the luxury office building complex and pointed out that according to the law, such project must be evaluated and approved by higher authorities, which it was highly unlikely because it would be nothing more than a waste for a show-piece project, and there was no money to fund such projects.


However, the opposition was brushed aside and those cadres who voice their concern were scolded by the local party bosses, who harshly criticized those opposed as "lacking the open mind, not following the great rapid development of Wuhai". As a result, the local government bypassed the law by deciding to carry out the construction anyway, and the [[Renminbi|CYN]] 150 million funds that were supposed used as the initial funding in the housing project was used to build luxury office building complex instead.<ref name="Xiao & Wang">{{cite web |script-title=zh:内蒙古乌海市:无钱搞棚改,有钱建豪衙 |url=http://jjckb.xinhuanet.com/yw/2008-03/21/content_90030.htm |language=zh-cn |date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> Not surprisingly, when media requested interviews with local high-ranking officials regarding the matter, none came forward.
However, the opposition was brushed aside and those cadres who voice their concern were scolded by the local party bosses, who harshly criticized those opposed as "lacking the open mind, not following the great rapid development of Wuhai". As a result, the local government bypassed the law by deciding to carry out the construction anyway, and the [[Renminbi|CYN]] 150 million funds that were supposed used as the initial funding in the housing project was used to build luxury office building complex instead.<ref name="Xiao & Wang">{{cite web |script-title=zh:内蒙古乌海市:无钱搞棚改,有钱建豪衙 |url=http://jjckb.xinhuanet.com/yw/2008-03/21/content_90030.htm |language=zh-cn |date=March 21, 2008}}{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Not surprisingly, when media requested interviews with local high-ranking officials regarding the matter, none came forward.


== References ==
== References ==
Line 349: Line 406:
{{Commons category|Wuhai}}
{{Commons category|Wuhai}}
* [http://www.wuhai.gov.cn Government Official Web Site]
* [http://www.wuhai.gov.cn Government Official Web Site]
* [http://www.wuhaidaily.com Wuhai Daily]
* [http://www.wuhaidaily.com Wuhai Daily] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727135624/http://wuhaidaily.com/ |date=2019-07-27 }}
* [http://english.nmgnews.com.cn/eng/article/20040903/269_1.html nmgnews.com]
* [http://english.nmgnews.com.cn/eng/article/20040903/269_1.html nmgnews.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505063546/http://english.nmgnews.com.cn/eng/article/20040903/269_1.html |date=2006-05-05 }}
* [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-12/14/content_290174.htm Chinadaily]
* [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-12/14/content_290174.htm Chinadaily]
* [http://www.mglbbs.net/bbs/attachments/month_0910/09102115363e7c36285caa76e9.jpg Mongolian map of Üqai]
* [http://www.mglbbs.net/bbs/attachments/month_0910/09102115363e7c36285caa76e9.jpg Mongolian map of Üqai]{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}


{{Inner Mongolia topics}}
{{Inner Mongolia topics}}
{{Inner Mongolia}}
{{Inner Mongolia}}
{{Prefectural-level divisions of the People's Republic of China}}
{{Major cities along the Yellow River}}
{{Major cities along the Yellow River}}
{{Baotou–Lanzhou Railway}}
{{Baotou–Lanzhou Railway}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Wuhai| ]]

[[Category:Cities in Inner Mongolia]]
[[Category:Cities in Inner Mongolia]]
[[Category:Prefecture-level divisions of Inner Mongolia]]
[[Category:Prefecture-level divisions of Inner Mongolia]]

Latest revision as of 13:12, 20 October 2024

Wuhai
乌海市 • ᠦᠬᠠᠢ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ
Cityscape of Wuhai
Cityscape of Wuhai
Location of Wuhai City jurisdiction in Inner Mongolia
Location of Wuhai City jurisdiction in Inner Mongolia
Wuhai is located in Inner Mongolia
Wuhai
Wuhai
Location of the city centre in Inner Mongolia
Coordinates (Wuhai municipal government): 39°39′18″N 106°47′38″E / 39.655°N 106.794°E / 39.655; 106.794
CountryPeople's Republic of China
RegionInner Mongolia
Area
1,754 km2 (677 sq mi)
 • Urban
 (2017)[2]
67.17 km2 (25.93 sq mi)
Elevation
1,150 m (3,770 ft)
Population
 (2017)[2]
631,000
 • Density360/km2 (930/sq mi)
 • Urban
550,000
 • Urban density8,200/km2 (21,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+8 (China Standard)
ISO 3166 codeCN-NM-03
GDP(2009)31.121B RMB
Websitewww.wuhai.gov.cn
Wuhai
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese乌海
Traditional Chinese烏海
Literal meaning"Dark Sea"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWūhǎi
Bopomofoㄨ ㄏㄞˇ
Wade–GilesWu1-hai3
IPA[ú.xàɪ]
Mongolian name
Mongolian CyrillicҮхай хот
Mongolian scriptᠦᠬᠠᠢ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ
Transcriptions
SASM/GNCÜqai qota

Wuhai (Chinese: 乌海市; Mongolian: Üqai qota, Mongolian cyrillic.Үхай хот) is a prefecture-level city and regional center in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, and is by area the smallest prefecture-level division of the region. It is located on the Yellow River between the Gobi and Ordos deserts. Wuhai became a single city occupying both banks of the Yellow River with the amalgamation in 1976 of Wuda on the left (west) bank (then administrated by Bayan Nuur League) together with Haibowan on the right (east) bank (then administrated by Ikh Juu league). Wuhai is one of very few cities with an antipode which is not only on land (as opposed to open ocean), but which is another inhabited city; the antipode of Wuhai is almost exactly on the city of Valdivia, Chile. Football commentator and Television host Huang Jianxiang is born here.

History

[edit]

The modern location of Wuhai was originally composed of two towns: Wuda which lied on the western side of the Yellow River and Haibowan which was located in the eastern side of the river. Wuda became a coal mining town around 1864 when it was settled by Chinese laborers. Slightly later, Haibowan was settled by Chinese farmers around 1900. Wuda and Haibowan were merged as Wuhai in 1976.[3]

Demographics

[edit]

Wuhai has an area of 1,754 km2 (677 sq mi) and, as of 2000, 427,553 inhabitants (243.76 inhabitants/km2).

Ethnic group population share
Han 400,971 93.78%
Mongols 13,904 3.25%
Hui 7,944 1.86%
Manchu 4,063 0.95%
Daur 129 0.03%
Koreans 98 0.02%
Tibetans 87 0.02%
Zhuang 68 0.02%
Xibe 56 0.01%
Other 233 0.06%

Administrative subdivisions

[edit]

Wuhai city is divided into three districts:

Map
# Name Mongolian Hanzi Hanyu Pinyin Population
(2010)
Area
(km2)
Density
(/km2)
1 Haibowan District ᠬᠠᠶᠢᠷᠤᠪ ᠤᠨ ᠲᠣᠬᠣᠢ ᠲᠣᠭᠣᠷᠢᠭ
(Qayirub-un Toqoi toɣoriɣ)
海勃湾区 Hǎibówān Qū 296,177 529 378
2 Hainan District ᠬᠠᠶᠢᠨᠠᠨ ᠲᠣᠭᠣᠷᠢᠭ
(Qayinan toɣoriɣ)
海南区 Hǎinán Qū 103,355 1,005 100
3 Wuda District ᠤᠳᠠ ᠲᠣᠭᠣᠷᠢᠭ
(Uda toɣoriɣ)
乌达区 Wūdá Qū 133,370 220 591

Climate

[edit]
Eagle-eye view above Wuhai airport on the Yellow River. Visible sharp transition into Gobi desert dunes from the West side of the city

Wuhai experiences a cool arid climate (Köppen: BWk), characterized by freezing, dry winters and hot summers. Spring is dry, with occasional dust storms, followed by early summer heat waves. Summer tends to be hot with the greatest precipitation occurring in July and August. Because of the aridity, there tends to be considerable diurnal variation in temperature, except during the summer. The monthly 24-hour average temperature range from −8.1 °C or 17.4 °F in January to 26.1 °C or 79.0 °F in July, while the annual mean is 10.1 °C or 50.2 °F. Approximately 45 percent of the average annual precipitation falls in July and August.

Climate data for Wuhai, elevation 1,106 m (3,629 ft), (2004–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 12.0
(53.6)
18.9
(66.0)
26.0
(78.8)
36.4
(97.5)
36.3
(97.3)
38.8
(101.8)
41.0
(105.8)
39.1
(102.4)
37.6
(99.7)
28.2
(82.8)
22.2
(72.0)
15.2
(59.4)
41.0
(105.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −1.5
(29.3)
4.0
(39.2)
12.0
(53.6)
20.4
(68.7)
26.3
(79.3)
30.9
(87.6)
33.0
(91.4)
30.8
(87.4)
25.0
(77.0)
17.9
(64.2)
8.3
(46.9)
−0.1
(31.8)
17.3
(63.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) −9.5
(14.9)
−4.4
(24.1)
4.0
(39.2)
12.9
(55.2)
19.1
(66.4)
24.1
(75.4)
26.3
(79.3)
24.0
(75.2)
17.8
(64.0)
9.6
(49.3)
0.9
(33.6)
−7.4
(18.7)
9.8
(49.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −15.4
(4.3)
−10.9
(12.4)
−3
(27)
5.2
(41.4)
11.3
(52.3)
16.7
(62.1)
19.6
(67.3)
17.7
(63.9)
11.7
(53.1)
3.3
(37.9)
−4.5
(23.9)
−12.9
(8.8)
3.2
(37.9)
Record low °C (°F) −28.9
(−20.0)
−27.5
(−17.5)
−19.6
(−3.3)
−9.5
(14.9)
−1.2
(29.8)
7.5
(45.5)
12.1
(53.8)
8.9
(48.0)
−1.7
(28.9)
−9.4
(15.1)
−16.9
(1.6)
−26.2
(−15.2)
−28.9
(−20.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 0.9
(0.04)
2.1
(0.08)
4.0
(0.16)
6.7
(0.26)
15.1
(0.59)
22.4
(0.88)
33.7
(1.33)
33.8
(1.33)
27.0
(1.06)
8.2
(0.32)
3.5
(0.14)
1.2
(0.05)
158.6
(6.24)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 1.3 1.3 1.7 2.2 4.3 5.7 7.2 6.9 5.5 2.7 1.5 1.2 41.5
Average snowy days 2.5 2.1 1.5 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.7 2.0 11
Average relative humidity (%) 51 42 33 28 30 36 44 48 50 42 53 44 42
Mean monthly sunshine hours 206.1 216.4 259.0 278.9 315.0 306.6 302.5 288.7 251.8 254.2 217.7 200.4 3,097.3
Percent possible sunshine 68 71 69 70 71 69 67 69 68 75 74 69 70
Source: China Meteorological Administration[4][5]

Economy

[edit]

The city's economy is heavily based on coal mining, electric power generation, metal-working and chemical industries, but also on fruit (grapes, winemaking) and dairy farming. Wuhai is a stop on the Baotou-Lanzhou rail line, and an airport was opened in 2003.

Rock art in six places at the foot of the Zhuozi Shan (Mount Zhuozhi) has been dated back to the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, the Warring States period, and the Han dynasty.

Wuhai Panorama view from East Mountain

Transportation

[edit]

Wuhai is served by Wuhai Airport with flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other cities.

The under-construction Baotou–Yinchuan high-speed railway will provide connections to Baotou and Yinchuan at a design speed of 250km/h.

Wuhai lies on a major Yellow River train route, connecting a large number of cities in Inner Mongolia, central and southern China. Travel time from Beijing by train is approximately 20 hours and from Baotou about a 4-hour train journey.

The Wuhai Yellow River Road Bridge is one of the Yellow River crossings in the city.

Beijing PanAm International Aviation Academy (BPIAA)

[edit]
Beijing PanAm International Aviation Academy DA40's

Although Wuhai in general is lacking large higher educational institutions, in the early 2007 a major foreign investment was injected into the development of a local flight training base for Chinese airline cadets located in Wuhai Regional Airport (ICAO abbrev. "ZBUH"). The flight base has 8 to 14 Diamond DA40 light training aircraft providing flight lessons for over 130 students designated to train at this base. Convenient airport location close to the city, low levels of pollution and relatively fair weather/visibility factors allow flight training approximately 300 days per year (subject to military restrictions). The arrival of Beijing Panam International Aviation Academy also laid a foundation for the first ever foreign community in Wuhai, composed mostly of foreign Flight Instructors from various ICAO countries working on annual contracts for BPIAA.

At the end of 2008, following the World economic recession, the company, previously belonging to an American AIG Insurance Corporation, fell into financial difficulties and stopped operating awaiting injection of the new investment funds either from the Chinese government or independent investors.

Dining, entertainment and night life

[edit]

Wuhai's dining scene consists of numerous small bars and restaurants, catering for a range of Chinese, Mongolian and western cuisines. Popular dining choices are:

Mongolian style traditional coal-heated Hot pot "Huo-Guo" dining

Hot pot serving a type of Chinese meat and vegetable fondue in a traditional "uni-pot" way or a modern "personal pot" styles. Pots are filled with either creamy or spicy soups and set on fire which is built into the table. Thinly-sliced meat, vegetables and flat noodles are served uncooked. It is up to the customer to add the ingredients to the hot-pot sitting on the table where it's cooked in seconds. A traditional and very popular activity, bringing families and friends together every weekend.

Mongolian BBQ serving a variety of meats (mostly beef, lamb, and chicken) roasted on open fire and seasoned with local spices. Popular BBQ dining areas could be found on both southern and northern sides of central square.

Western restaurants, serving a variety of foods catering for the European and American tastes are also available. Fast food places serving westerns-style foods are located right in the middle of town near Wuhai hotel on an intersection of two central roads.

Traditional Chinese Han restaurants are widely available. Serving a great variety of noodles and rather oily meat dishes.

Mongolian "Mn-Mye". A mixture of flat noodles, vegetables, meat and seafood. Hundreds of variations - made to order in minutes in many Wuhai restaurants

Mongolian Mn-Mye dishes, served in a large traditional wok for the whole table to share. Hundreds of ingredient combinations could be ordered by a customer by ticking boxes on a menu order form while visiting these specialist restaurants. Once ordered, the Mn-Mye chef combines the requested ingredients in a wok, adds fresh chilly peppers, ginger, garlic, coriander and other indigenous spices. The dish is ready in minutes.

One of the seafood restaurants in Wuhai, keeping live stock of exotic fish

There is a Mongolian style theme park built in the north-western part of the city. It offers authentic Mongolian-style dining in a traditional Yurt restaurant, camel rides and other activities.

A large number of KTV (Karaoke) style bars are widely available around the city and enjoy a great popularity among locals.

One of the many Chinese and foreign parties at the Plow Coffee

Recreation and sports

[edit]

A number of very modern gyms with an average membership fee between $40 and US$60 per months are available for use in the city center and other convenient locations. Shi Ji Yuan Hotel offers good 25m swimming pool facilities (attendance fee around $2. No lifeguard). A modern round mini-stadium building, located in the middle of town, offers new tennis and basketball playgrounds as well as some ThaiJi and KungFu classes.

Mountain climbing is extremely popular activity among the locals and foreigners alike. There is a long mountain ridge located to the south-east of the city, a short walk away from its SE corner. Mountain peaks range from 400m AGL to 700m AGL and take approximately 1 to 2 hours to conquer, depending on your physical abilities. Beginner level climbers are likely to enjoy this hike. For the more advanced mountaineers, the highest peak to the south of the city is standing almost 1000m AGL tall and may be a little more challenging to climb. City charges no fees for mountain-climbing activities and welcomes anyone to try.

A full-size western-style bowling alley is located in the NW part of the city, near a central street roundabout. Alley features a full bar, computerized score-keeping system and costs 12 yuan per game in the evening and 3 yuan in the morning, before 12:00.

Domesticated Bactrian camels of the Gobi Desert used for camel-rides and guest entertainment at a local desert theme park

Housing project scandal

[edit]

Wuhai has been the center of public outrage when it was revealed that money originally assigned to build low income housing project was used to build extravagant office buildings instead [1][dead link].

According to the 2006 official statistics by the local government, 45,344 households totaling 146,306 people, or over 30% of total population in the urban area, lived in shacks in the slums. These low income families had to deal with problems including the lacks of drainage, clean water supply and poor hygiene conditions. As a result, a housing project was planned to rebuild the area, starting in February, 2006. The plan called for 15% completion by the end of 2007, 40% completion respectively in 2008, and 2009, and the remaining by the end of 2010. In reality, however, the plan failed to materialize because not a single penny was provided. Subsequent investigation by auditing authorities and media investigation revealed that the CYN 150 million funds that were supposed used as the initial funding was used to build luxury office buildings instead.

The new governmental office building, dubbed as the "Wuhai Urban Administrative Center Building", was located in the Binhe (滨河) New District. The building totaled 17 stories above the ground, with an addition one below the ground. In addition, there was also another 5-story building connected to this main building. The total area is around 61,168 square meters, with construction begun in March, 2006, and the building complex is expected to be fully operational before the end of 2008. The contractor admitted that the office building complex is as luxurious as a four-star hotel. Audits and investigation revealed that the building complex cost CYN 150 million, and the initial fund for the housing project to rebuild the slums populated by the low income families was used, causing the housing project to be stalled in idle.

When the scandal was exposed by numerous Chinese media such as Economic Reference (经济参考报), it greatly angered the public. Further public outrage resulted in the fact that the current office building was already too extravagant: it occupies an area totaled 100,000 square meters, with over 20,000 square meters office space, and additionally, the current office building was just completed in October, 2001. Auditing and investigation also revealed that many cadres opposed the construction of the luxury office building complex and pointed out that according to the law, such project must be evaluated and approved by higher authorities, which it was highly unlikely because it would be nothing more than a waste for a show-piece project, and there was no money to fund such projects.

However, the opposition was brushed aside and those cadres who voice their concern were scolded by the local party bosses, who harshly criticized those opposed as "lacking the open mind, not following the great rapid development of Wuhai". As a result, the local government bypassed the law by deciding to carry out the construction anyway, and the CYN 150 million funds that were supposed used as the initial funding in the housing project was used to build luxury office building complex instead.[6] Not surprisingly, when media requested interviews with local high-ranking officials regarding the matter, none came forward.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Cox, W (2018). Demographia World Urban Areas. 14th Annual Edition (PDF). St. Louis: Demographia. p. 22.
  2. ^ a b Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, ed. (2019). China Urban Construction Statistical Yearbook 2017. Beijing: China Statistics Press. p. 46. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  3. ^ Atwood, Christopher Pratt (2004). Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire. Facts On File. p. 589. ISBN 978-0-8160-4671-3.
  4. ^ 1991-2020 normals "Climate averages from 1991 to 2020". China Meteorological Administration. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17.
  5. ^ 1981-2010 extremes 中国气象数据网 – WeatherBk Data [China Meteorological Data Network - WeatherBk Data] (in Simplified Chinese). China Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  6. ^ 内蒙古乌海市:无钱搞棚改,有钱建豪衙 (in Chinese (China)). March 21, 2008.[dead link]
[edit]