The name of Rizhao originates from an old saying: “It is the first to get the sunshine”. Rizhao is a new rising port city. It is famous for its blue sky, jade sea and golden beach. It is located at the southern end of Shangdong province along the middle part of Chinas coastal line . It is a major seaport,facing Korea and Japan across the sea in the east. Rizhao borders Qingdao to the northeast, Weifang to the north, Linyi to the west and Lianyungang to the south. Locates from 118°25′E～119°39′ N35°04′～36°04′N , the city of Rizhao covers an areas of 5310 square kilometers with the total population of 29 million.
Rizhao is a new rising coastal port city, which boasts time-honored history and culture, beautiful natural sceneries, unique custom and excellent ecological environment. With the objective of building a coastal city with international standard, recent years Rizhao Municipality has made great efforts to build Rizhao into a modern coastal Eco-city, University Park, City of Water Sports and City for Holidays. Taking the activities of building National Clean City and National Model City of Environmental Protection as the platform, Rizhao has spared no effort to push forward the comprehensive treatment for urban environment and to implement the urban greening engineering.
In 2004, choosing from over 600 cities around the China, CCTV nominated Rizhao as one of 40 Fascinating Cities(魅力城市） of China in the contest of Fascinating City of China.
Stretching as long as over 60 kilometers, the golden sandy beach enjoys the good reputation of No.1 Golden Beach in China. Rizhao is time-honored city with profound culture and abundant natural beauties. It has many famous scenic spots in Rizhao, such as Rizhao Seaside National Forest Park（日照海滨国家森林公园）, Olympic Water Sports Park（奥林匹克水上运动公园）, Wulian Mountain Scenic Area, Fulai Mountain Scenic Area,etc.In December 2003, Rizhao was designated as TopTourist City of China approved by State Tourist Administration.
2007 the First China Water Sports Regatta and 2008 Warm-up Race for 2008 Olympic Sailing Regatta as well as all water sports items of 11th National Games of China. Water Sports is becoming the unique feature of Rizhao for outside world.. And I think it is a pity to cancel the pass of the Olympic torch in Rizhao.
The greening coverage rate of the urban built up area reaches 40%. The public green space per capita is up to 16 m3. The features of a coastal city with “large green space, gardenable, open and ecological” are becoming obvious. Shandong Provincial Human Settlements Award is awarded to Rizhao. Rizhao was awarded many titles successively, such as National Garden City, National Sustainable Development Experimental Zone, National Pilot City of Ecological Demonstration, National Key City of Environmental Protection and National Model City of Circular Economy…
Wanpingkou means that ten thousand boats arrive at the port safely. The sand shore is 4 kilometers long, with wide beach, mild wave, and fine sand. It is a good place for stepping waves and swimming.
Rizhao Seaside National Forest Park, the fare is 40 yuan，there are the best beath in Northern China. Wanpingkou is the International Water Sports Base, and lighthouse scenic area. They are free. I would suggest you seeing night landscape of there.
Rizhao is one of the cradles of Chinese Civilization with a long history and brilliant culture. In Xia and Shang Dynasties, Rizhao belonged to Dongyi(the ancient tribe in eastern China). From Western Zhou to Warring States period, Rizhao belonged to Ju State. Within the boundary, there are some famous historic relics including Lingyanghe, Liangcheng, Donghaiyu and Yaowangcheng. All these relics belong to Dawenkou Culture or Longshan Culture.
According to the "Brief Guide of World History "published by British Oxford University, Liangcheng Town was the earliest city in Asia between 3500 B. C. and 2000 B. C. The pictograph inscribed on the earthenware excavated in Ju County of Rizhao City is more than 4800 years old. The pictograph was proved to be the earliest pictograph in China, which is over 1000 years earlier than Oracle.
It was set up as Rizhao County in 1184 and reset up as Rizhao City ratified by the State Council of the People`s Republic of China in March, 1985. It was incorporated with the Economic Open Zone of Shandong Peninsula in March, 1988. It was upgraded as a municipal city approved by the State Council in 1989 and was approved to have jurisdiction over one district and two counties in 1992.
The quality of air and sea water near the coast is up to the first level of the State standard. The potable water sources are 100% up to standard. Rizhao is listed by the State as the Sustainable Development Experimental Community, a Key National Environmental Protection City and a National Ecological Demonstration City.
Situated in the transitional zone between the northern and southern climate of China, Rizhao enjoys mild and pleasant climate with four clear seasons. Its annual average temperature is 12.7℃, annual sunshine of 2516 hours, annual frost free period of 213 days.
With rich produce and advanced industries of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery, Rizhao is the major producer of cereal, oil, fruit and animal products. Rizhao teems with wheat, corn, peanut,
cotton, tobacco, fruit, silk cocoon and tea. The output of silk cocoon leads Shandong Province and the output of tea is the biggest both in Shandong and north of River Huai in China. Rizhao has abundant aquatic products. Haizhouwan fishing farm is one of the four biggest fishing farms in China. The fish here belong to 3 chasses, 43 families and 86 species. The rare marine products include prawn, scallop, hard clam, sea cucumber and abalone. Andongwei of Rizhao city is the biggest market of seafood in China.
Rizhao is an new and developing port city. To show great concern to the present and pay much attention to the future, Rizhao municipal government is making and carrying out the city construction plan of an united group style of "three in one "including Rizhao, Shijiu and Lanshan. It has recently built dozens of residential quarters. The basic facilities in Rizhao such as water, electricity, gas, heat, communication, traffic, schools, hospitals, department stores, recreation facilities etc. have been becoming perfected. The cover rate of afforested area in Rizhao City reaches 30% and 85% .high way has been 100% paved. Rizhao is striding forward towards a modern flower garden port city
Rizhao has beautiful environment. By the end of 2002, the green land in the built up area is up to 38.2%. It is a model landscaping city of China. By implementing the "Strategy of Ecology ", we will build Rizhao into an Oriental Green City with livable environment and sustainable development.