Gaoyao, alternately romanized as Koyiu, is an urban district of Zhaoqing in western Guangdong, China. Its population in 2020 was 741,591.

Name

Gaoyao (lit.'high and wanting') is a former name of the Lingyang Gorge on the Xi River. It was originally the name of the surrounding land but came to be used for the area's seat of government. Gaoyao is the pinyin romanization of the Chinese name, based on its Mandarin pronunciation; the former Chinese Postal Map spelling was based on the local Cantonese pronunciation of the same name. Gaoyao has also sometimes been romanized as KaouYaou.

Geography

Gaoyao is located on the southern bank of the Xi River, opposite central Zhaoqing. Both are about 100 kilometers (62 mi) away from Guangzhou, the provincial capital.

Climate

Climate data for Gaoyao, elevation 60 m (200 ft), (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1981–2010)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)28.3 (82.9)31.4 (88.5)32.4 (90.3)34.4 (93.9)34.9 (94.8)37.9 (100.2)38.5 (101.3)38.1 (100.6)36.9 (98.4)35.8 (96.4)33.1 (91.6)30.0 (86.0)38.5 (101.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)18.9 (66.0)20.9 (69.6)23.5 (74.3)27.9 (82.2)31.3 (88.3)33.2 (91.8)34.2 (93.6)33.9 (93.0)32.3 (90.1)29.6 (85.3)25.6 (78.1)20.8 (69.4)27.7 (81.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)13.9 (57.0)16.0 (60.8)19.2 (66.6)23.4 (74.1)26.5 (79.7)28.2 (82.8)28.9 (84.0)28.6 (83.5)27.2 (81.0)24.2 (75.6)19.9 (67.8)15.2 (59.4)22.6 (72.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)10.6 (51.1)12.7 (54.9)16.1 (61.0)20.3 (68.5)23.3 (73.9)25.1 (77.2)25.6 (78.1)25.3 (77.5)23.9 (75.0)20.3 (68.5)16.0 (60.8)11.5 (52.7)19.2 (66.6)
Record low °C (°F)3.1 (37.6)3.9 (39.0)6.1 (43.0)10.7 (51.3)16.8 (62.2)20.4 (68.7)22.9 (73.2)22.6 (72.7)18.8 (65.8)13.4 (56.1)5.3 (41.5)1.7 (35.1)1.7 (35.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches)51.8 (2.04)43.9 (1.73)76.2 (3.00)130.3 (5.13)189.2 (7.45)212.3 (8.36)189.1 (7.44)188.8 (7.43)150.6 (5.93)56.6 (2.23)41.9 (1.65)37.8 (1.49)1,368.5 (53.88)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)7.910.314.814.918.019.716.816.011.85.05.55.9146.6
Average relative humidity (%)78798180818179807975757579
Mean monthly sunshine hours99.775.958.277.2124.5147.0191.8183.8173.3182.9156.3140.51,611.1
Percentage possible sunshine30241620303646464751484236
Source: China Meteorological Administration

History

Gaoyao was a county of the Qin and Han and its eponymous county seat was the principal settlement of the area. Under the Sui, the administration relocated across the river to Duanzhou, which was renamed Zhaoqing under the Song. Gaoyao continued as a separate county in Zhaoqing Commandery. It was promoted to a county-level city in 1993 and later to urban district status.

Culture and people

  • Gaoyao is closely connected with the Duanzhou District of Zhaoqing City, geographically as well as culturally. The two urban districts are connected by two road bridges and a railway bridge.
  • Gaoyao is also a known hometown for many Overseas Chinese. There is a large community from Gaoyao in Sydney, Australia.[page needed]

Notable figures include:

  • Liang Han Chao (梁寒操): historian, educator, and also founder of Kwangtung cultural and history periodical.
  • Herbert Chow Ciu Lung (周小龍): founder of chickeeduck clothing, also a Hong Kong social activist.
  • Joshua Wong Chi-fung (黃之鋒): Hong Kong male politician
  • Fong Lai Ying (方麗盈): Hong Kong experienced female singer

Tourism

Places of interest include the Red Mansion and Gaoyao Xuegong Pavilion. There are also three pagodas that can be seen in Gaoyao.

Image gallery

Administrative divisions

Gaoyao has jurisdiction over one subdistrict and several towns:

NameChinese (S)Hanyu PinyinPopulation (2010)Area (km2)
Nan'an Subdistrict南岸街道Nán'àn Jiēdào81,88636.5
Hetai town河台镇Hétái Zhèn33,660150
Lecheng town乐城镇Lèchéng Zhèn24,33794
Shuinan town水南镇Shuǐnán Zhèn11,598126
Lubu town (Lukpo)禄步镇Lùbù Zhèn63,488254
Xiaoxiang town小湘镇Xiǎoxiāng Zhèn30,964200
Dawan town大湾镇Dàwān Zhèn34,535108
Xinqiao town新桥镇Xīnqiáo Zhèn39,26541.8
Baizhu town白诸镇Báizhū Zhèn36,977128
Liantang town莲塘镇Liántáng Zhèn58,429125
Huodao town活道镇Huódào Zhèn41,358228
Jiaotang town蛟塘镇Jiāotáng Zhèn33,060130
Huilong town回龙镇Huílóng Zhèn25,426124.25
Baitu town白土镇Báitǔ Zhèn71,430108.4
Jindu town金渡镇Jīndù Zhèn43,623101.23
Jinli town金利镇Jīnlì Zhèn93,792141.3
Xiangang town蚬岗镇Xiǎngǎng Zhèn29,29296.6

Citations

Bibliography

  • Bolton, Kingsley; Hutton, Christopher (1941) [Reprinted 2000], , vol. 5, Abingdon: Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-24397-1 {{citation}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  • Choi, C. Y. (1975). Chinese Migration and Settlement in Australia. Sydney: Sydney University Press.

External links