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Qiqihar

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Qiqihar is a major city located in the Heilongjiang province of China. It sits in the west central part of the province. The city is a prefecture-level division. It covers a large land area of 42,289 square kilometers. The city is situated along the middle and lower reaches of the Nen River. This river is a vital route for transporting freight. The city sits within the hinterland of the Songnen Plain. It is also near the Greater Khingan Range and the Hulunbuir Prairie.

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The local climate is a humid continental climate, often called Köppen Dwa. This means the city experiences four distinct seasons. The winters are long, dry, and bitterly cold. In January, the average 24-hour temperature is -15.6 degrees Celsius. Interestingly, the temperature has never dropped to -40 degrees Celsius or lower. Summers are very warm and humid. In July, the average 24-hour temperature is 20.9 degrees Celsius. Most of the annual precipitation falls between June and August. Despite the cold, the city receives 2,839 hours of bright sunshine every year.

Qiqihar has a very deep history in northeast China. The region was originally settled by nomadic Daur and Tungus herdsmen. The city's original name was Bukui. This was a Chinese transcription of a Dagur word meaning "auspicious." The name "Qiqihar" itself is a Dagur word meaning "border" or "natural pasture."

迎恩门(齐齐哈尔)
迎恩门(齐齐哈尔)

The city's oldest mosque, the Bukui Mosque, was built seven years before the city was founded. In 1674, it became a major garrison center for soldiers. By 1700, it served as a center for trade between Russia and China.

The 20th century brought many significant changes to the city. In 1903, the completion of the Chinese Eastern Railway connected Qiqihar to Russia. This made the city a center for communication. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Japanese occupied the city. They established the puppet Manchukuo government there. Qiqihar became the administrative center of Longjiang province. The Imperial Japanese Army also established Unit 516 in the city. This unit conducted research into chemical warfare. A mustard gas tank from this era was accidentally damaged in 2003, causing injuries and one death.

After the defeat of Japan, the city saw new political shifts. Soviet troops withdrew from the area in 1945. The People's Liberation Army took control of Qiqihar on April 24, 1946. In 1949, Qiqihar became the capital of Heilongjiang Province. However, this changed in 1954 when the capital moved to Harbin. During the first five-year plan from 1951 to 1956, the Soviet Union helped build many factories. These included China First Heavy Industries in the Fularji District. These projects turned Qiqihar into a major center for manufacturing equipment.

Today, Qiqihar is a heavily industrialized city. It is known for its large-scale equipment manufacturing. In 2009, the city had 95 large enterprises in this sector. These companies held total assets of 30.6 billion yuan. The industrial sector provides many jobs for the local population. The city is also home to a diverse group of people. Most residents are Han Chinese. However, thirty-four minority groups live there, including Manchus, Daur, and Mongols. As of 2024, the total registered population was 5.06 million people.

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Travel and nature are important parts of the region. The city is served by the Qiqihar Sanjiazi Airport.

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The railway station connects the city to major places like Beijing and Harbin. For those interested in nature, the Zhalong Nature Reserve is nearby. This reserve is famous for its many red-crowned cranes. The city also has 23 hospitals and several universities. These include Qiqihar University and its medical school. The city remains a vital hub for the Heilongjiang province.

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Txu-pclmaps-oclc-22834566 f-9b
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