City Introduction of Qinghai, China: Haibei Region

Haibei Region

Major Economic Indicators (2007)

Source: Haibei Region Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Haibei Region is located in the northeastern part of Qinghai Province, bordering Gansu Province. It covers an area of 39,354 sq km and has a population of only 276,466.  

Haibei has a continental plateau climate. The average temperature is 0.3℃, while the average annual precipitation is 280 mm.

Haibei is rich in mineral resources, including over 30 different ferrous metals, nonferrous metals, precious metals, non-metallic minerals and flammable minerals. In addition, there are two major river systems, namely the Yellow River System and the Qinghai Lake System, in the region. Haibei is also replete with cultural landmarks and natural scenery.

Transportation in Haibei mainly relies on highways. There are five state highways and provincial highways connecting Haibei with outside regions and counties under the jurisdiction of the region. In addition, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway runs through Haiyan and Gangcha, two of the southern counties under the administration of Haibei Region.

Economic Features

Haibei realized GDP of RMB 2.9 billion in 2007, representing a rise of 14.2% year on year. The region's GDP accounted for approximately 3.8% of Qinghai's total and ranked fifth out of eight  prefectures and prefecture-level cities in the province. The value-added output of the agricultural sector increased by 7.1% year on year to RMB 698 million in 2007, contributing 24.3% of the region's GDP.

In 2007, value-added output of secondary industry (industry and construction) amounted to approximately RMB 1.1 billion and accounted for 37.5% of the region's total. The value-added industrial output generated by the industrial sector reached RMB 539 million, up 20.8% year on year.  

Heavy and light industry generated value-added industrial output of RMB 460 million and RMB 22.1 million, up 25.2% and 12.5% year on year, respectively. The two types of industries contributed 95.6% and 4.4% respectively to the total value-added output from enterprises with designated size or above level.

Electricity, ferroalloys, silicon carbide, aluminum, metal mining and agricultural and sideline products processing are the pillar industries of the region. In total, they realized value-added industrial output of RMB 289 million, contributing 53.6% to the industrial sector's total.

In 2007, the service sector, the largest contributor to the region's economy, generated value-added output of RMB 1.1 billion, contributing 38.2% of the city's GDP. Wholesale and retail, an important pillar of the sector, realized sales of RMB 426 million, up 13.1% compared to the previous year.

Tourism is also important for Haibei’s service sector. During 2007, 1 million tourists visited the region, up 58.7% year on year, while tourism income totaled RMB 120 million, representing a rise of 57% compared to the previous year.

Cultural Highlights

Haibei is known for its profound and multi-cultural history. There are a lot of minority ethnic groups such as the Hui, Tibetans, Mongols, and the Tu, living here. The Hui people and Tibetans account for one fourth and one fifth of the total population, respectively.

The Tibetan Guozhuang Dance, the Hui Flower Fair and the Mongol Nadamu are popular local folk festivals. Beautiful and exotic finery, affecting folk songs, horse racing, wrestling and archery are special cultural symbols of Haibei Region.

Tourist Attractions

Haibei is rich in beautiful tourism resources. Tourists should visit Qilian Mountain Scenery Area, Hundred Mile Rape Sea, Jinyin Beach Scenery Area, Qinghai Lake Shadao Island Scenery Area, Qinghai Lake Fairy Bay Scenery Area, and Heihe Grand Canyon.

Qilian Mountain Scenery Area, Jinyin Beach Scenery Area, Qinghai Lake Shadao Island Scenery Area and Qinghai Lake Fairy Bay Scenery Area are important places for the Musicians Association of Qinghai province to collect folk songs.

In addition, the many themed tourism festivals, such as Wangluobin Music Art Tourism Festival, Jinyin Beach Grassland Cultural Tourism Festival, and Shadao Island Sand Sculpture Art Festival, attract millions of tourists from all over the world.