Economy

Lianyungang is the eastern end of the Longhai Railway (formerly the Lunghai Railway), connecting it with Lanzhou in central China. It is now the eastern terminus of the New Eurasian Land Bridge and the proposed Northern East West Freight Corridor. The government counts it among the first 14 Chinese coastal cities opening to the outside world and a rising center of industry, foreign trade, and tourism in east China.This port is in the center of the coast, linking eastern sea routes with western land routes. Japan and the Republic of Korea in the east can be reached economically and conveniently from Liangyungang, which is also part of the worldwide network of sea transport. As well as this, the New Eurasia Continental Landbridge and the railway networks in Western Europe continue by land, connecting Lianyungang with over 40 countries and regions in Europe, South Asia and the Middle East.The Chinese government has clearly stated its intention to build an economic belt along the New Eurasia Continental Landbridge in "the Ninth Five-Year Plan of the National Economy and Social Development and the Long-range Goal for the Year 2010." On "China's 21st Century Agenda", Lianyungang is to be developed into an international seaport linking countries on the Pacific rim with those in Central Asia. In the "National Ocean Development Plan" it is listed as one of three special development zones.Near the Lianyun-Ports, the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant is one of the biggest nuclear power plants in China, with two operational units and six more planned.

Transport

Lianyungang has convenient transport including highway, railway, port and airport. It is one of the 42 major transportation hub cities in China.Airport[edit]Lianyungang Baitabu Airport (连云港白塔埠机场), 25km west of downtown Lianyungang, provides schedule passenger service to major airports in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Shenyang, Dalian, Hangzhou, Changchun, Kunming, Nanning, Tianjin, Xi'an, Zhoushan, Harbin, Urumqi, Xuzhou, Lanzhou, Haikou, Shijiazhuang, Xiamen (as of 2016.10.01).Lianyungang Huaguoshan International Airport (连云港花果山国际机场) is planned to be built in Xiaoyi, 20km south of downtown by 2020. It will replace Baitapu Airport after completion.Railway[edit]The city serves as the designated starting point for the New Eurasian Land Bridge, a rail link from China to western Europe. The current major stations include Lianyungang Station and Lianyungang East Station.Several highspeed railways that go through Lianyungang are under construction:Qingdao-Lianyungang Highspeed Railway connects Lianyungang and the second largest city in northern China, Qingdao. It is part of China's Coastal High-speed Railway. The length is 240km and the speed standard is 250km/h. Planned completion year is 2018.Shanghai-Nantong-Lianyungang Highspeed Railway connects Lianyungang and the largest city in China, Shanghai. It is also part of China's Coastal High-speed Railway. The length is 240km and the speed standard is 250~350km/h. Planned completion year is 2019.Lianyungang-Nanjing/Zhenjiang Highspeed Railway connects Lianyungang and the capital of Jiangsu province, Nanjing. It is part of China's Coastal High-speed Railway. The length of this railway is 300km and the speed standard is 250km/h. Planned completion year is 2019.Lianyungang-Xuzhou Highspeed Railway connects Lianyungang and the important transportation hub, Xuzhou. It is part of China's Longhai High-speed Railway which serves as disparity between the east and the west. The length of this railway is 180km and the speed standard is 350km/h. Planned completion year is 2019.Heifei-Qingdao Highspeed Railway connects the capital of An'hui province, Hefei, and the second largest city in northern China, Qingdao. It is part of China's Hongkong-Harbin High-speed Railway. The length of this railway is around 600km and the speed standard is 350km/h. Planned completion year is 2020.Expressways[edit]Lianyungang is the intersection of Shenhai Expressway, Hada Expressway and Tongsan Expressway. Among them Shenhai Expressway and Tongsan Expressway are the two longest in China.Port[edit]Lianyungang port is among the 10 largest ports in China and the 30 largest port in the world. The cargo throughput of Lianyungang port is 210 million ton/year (2015). The container throughput is 5 million TEU/year (2015).[4]

Geography

Lianyungang is between 118°24' and 119°48' east longitude and 34°11' and 35°07' north latitude. Lianyungang covers an area of 7,777 km2 (3,003 sq mi).Climate[edit]The temperature in Lianyungang can reach average highs of 30 °C in the summer and drop to as low as -4 °C in the winter. The vast majority of precipitation occurs between June and August, where it can measure up to 278mm of rainfall on average. Winter precipitation is quite low, making snowfall rare and short-lived.[1]