Rongcheng, Shandong


Rongcheng is a county-level city of the prefecture-level city of Weihai, at the eastern extremity of the Shandong Peninsula in China.

History

Ancient time

According to historical records, human settlements existed in Rongcheng as early as the Neolithic period. In ancient times, Rongcheng belonged to the territory of the Lai people and was governed by the State of Lai starting from the Shang dynasty. After the State of Lai was annexed by the State of Qi during the Conquest of Lai by Qi, the region became part of Qi's territory, and from then on, it fell under the control of the Central China. According to historical records, the First Emperor of the Qin dynasty had visited Rongcheng twice during his imperial tours, building bridges and temples.

Imperial time

In 201 BCE, the county of Buye was established and placed under Donglai Commandery. The ruins of Buye County are located just south of Buye Village in Buliu Town, Rongcheng City, approximately 30 kilometers east of Chengshantou. During Northern Qi, in 568 CE, Wendeng County was established from parts of Muping and Guanyang counties, and the entire area of modern Rongcheng fell under the jurisdiction of Wendeng.
In the early Ming dynasty, to defend against external threats, two military garrisons—Chengshan and Jinghai—were established during Hongwu era. These garrisons also managed civil affairs within their respective military zones, while areas outside the garrisons remained under the administration of Wendeng County.
During Yongzheng's reign, the Chengshan Garrison was abolished and replaced with a county. Emperor Yongzheng named the new county "Rongcheng," noting that "Qin Shi Huang once shot a giant fish at Mount Rongcheng, which lies within this region." Thus, the name "Rongcheng County" came into official use.

In People’s Republic

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Rongcheng came under the administration of Wendeng District, Shandong Province, in June 1950. In 1956, it was placed under Laiyang District; in 1958, it became part of Yantai District; and in 1987, it was transferred to Weihai City. In December 1988, with the approval of the State Council of China, Rongcheng was upgraded from a county to a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Weihai.
In June 2011, a mutiny and mass murder broke out on Lurongyu 2682, a fishing trawler registered in Rongcheng. After a month-long killings in the West Pacific, 11 of the 33 crew returned. In July 2013, the Intermediate Court of Wendeng, adjacent to Rongcheng, convicted the 11 men with murder.

Administration

There are 10 subdistricts and 12 towns under Rongcheng's administration.
;Subdistricts:
  • Ningjin Subdistrict,
  • Gangwan Subdistrict,
  • Taoyuan Subdistrict,
  • Wanglian Subdistrict,
  • Dongshan Subdistrict,
  • Chishan Subdistrict,
  • Yatou Subdistrict,
  • Chengxi Subdistrict,
  • Xunshan Subdistrict,
  • Laoshan Subdistrict
;Towns:

Transport

Education

In 2024, Rongcheng had one institution of higher education, enrolling 1,630 students, graduating 1,805, with 7,175 students enrolled; one higher vocational college, enrolling 4,727, graduating 4,396, with 13,480 students enrolled; three general senior high schools, enrolling 2,825, graduating 2,642, with 8,428 students enrolled; 25 junior middle schools, enrolling 5,274, graduating 4,957, with 20,605 students enrolled; 21 primary schools, enrolling 4,941, graduating 5,186, with 28,431 students enrolled; two secondary vocational schools, enrolling 975, graduating 763, with 2,625 students enrolled; one special education school, enrolling 24, graduating 14, with 123 students enrolled; one Comprehensive Practical Activities Experimental School of Rongcheng City, with an annual training volume of 11,000 person-times; and 59 kindergartens, enrolling 2,421, graduating 4,899, with 10,383 children enrolled. It has two institutions of higher education: Harbin University of Science and Technology, Rongcheng, and Weihai Ocean Vocational College.

Climate

Rongcheng has a humid continental climate, bordering a humid subtropical climate, with Chengshantou being a borderline Cwa with January's average monthly temperature at.