Wangfan Hui Ethnic Town in Luoning County, Luoyang

Location and Administrative Division

Wangfan Hui Ethnic Town (Wangfan Huizu Zhen, 王范回族镇) is located in the western part of Luoning County (洛宁县), Luoyang City (洛阳市), Henan Province (河南省), China. It is bordered by Chengguan Town (城关镇) to the east, Chenwu Township (陈吴乡) across the Luo River (洛河) to the south, Chengjiao Township (城郊乡) to the west, and Xiaojie Township (小界乡) to the north. The administrative area covers 15 square kilometers.

Historical Background

  • Republican Era: Known as Wangfan Town.
  • January 1950: Continued to be called Wangfan Town.
  • August 1958: Became part of Chengguan Commune (城关公社).
  • December 1979: Incorporated into Chengguan Town (城关镇).
  • November 1986: Established as Wangfan Hui Ethnic Town.

Administrative Divisions

As of the end of 2011, Wangfan Hui Ethnic Town administered four administrative villages:

  • Wangdong (王东)
  • Wangxi (王西)
  • Zhongyuan (中原)
  • Longfeng (龙凤)

By June 2020, the town was divided into two communities and three administrative villages:

  • Communities:
    • Wangdong Community (王东社区)
    • Chengxi Community (城西社区)
  • Administrative Villages:
    • Wangxi Village (王西村)
    • Zhongyuan Village (中原村)
    • Longfeng Village (龙凤村)

Geography

Location

Wangfan Hui Ethnic Town is situated in the western part of Luoning County. It is bordered by Chengguan Town (城关镇) to the east, Chenwu Township (陈吴乡) across the Luo River (洛河) to the south, Chengjiao Township (城郊乡) to the west, and Xiaojie Township (小界乡) to the north. The administrative area covers 15 square kilometers.

Terrain and Climate

  • Terrain: The terrain in Wangfan Hui Ethnic Town is generally flat, with a slight elevation increase from east to west and from south to north. The town is bordered by the Jing Mountain Range (靖山山脉) to the north and is adjacent to the Luo River (洛河) to the south.
  • Climate: Wangfan has a warm temperate continental monsoon climate, characterized by distinct seasons, abundant sunshine, and a long frost-free period. The weather patterns include:
    • Spring: Dry, windy, with low rainfall.
    • Summer: Concentrated rainfall.
    • Autumn: Mild and cool.
    • Winter: Dry and cold with little snowfall.

    The average annual temperature is 13.7°C. The town experiences an average of 2,647.6 hours of sunshine annually and receives 600–800 mm of precipitation per year, with most rainfall occurring between July and September, accounting for 70% of the total annual precipitation.

Hydrology

The primary river system in Wangfan Hui Ethnic Town is the Luo River system. The Luo River flows from west to east across the town, with a length of 2.8 kilometers within the area and a drainage basin of 12 square kilometers.

Natural Disasters

Wangfan Hui Ethnic Town is prone to several natural disasters, including droughts, heavy rain, frost, and lightning strikes. Droughts often occur in the spring and can significantly affect crops such as wheat. Heavy rains are most frequent between June and September.

Land Resources

The town has a cultivated area of 2,490 mu (亩).

Population

  • 2011: The total population was 38,000, predominantly Han Chinese, with 4,377 Hui ethnic residents, accounting for 11.5% of the population. The total area was 15 square kilometers, with a population density of 2,533 people per square kilometer.
  • End of 2017: The permanent population was 33,562.
  • End of 2018: The registered population was 28,563.

Transportation

How to Get There

  • By Train: Take a train to Luoyang City (洛阳市). From Luoyang Railway Station, you can take a bus or taxi to Wangfan Hui Ethnic Town.
  • By Bus: Long-distance buses to Luoyang are available from major cities. From Luoyang’s bus station, take a local bus or taxi to Wangfan.
  • By Car: Driving is a convenient option. Follow the signs to Luoyang, then proceed to Wangfan Hui Ethnic Town via major roads connecting it to Luoyang.

Travel Tips

  • Local Cuisine: Enjoy Hui ethnic cuisine, which includes lamb dishes and Hui-style noodles.
  • Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are ideal due to favorable weather conditions.
  • Cultural Respect: Be mindful of local customs and traditions, especially when interacting with the Hui ethnic community.
  • Accommodation: Consider staying in nearby Luoyang for more accommodation options as Wangfan may have limited choices.

Planning your visit to Wangfan Hui Ethnic Town in advance will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.