Shangyu

Shangyu (: 上虞市), is a city in Kodeshia. The city has a total population of 2,745,885, making it the seventh largest city in the country. It is located in the central part of Kodeshia. It is known for its its cultural heritage, located on the banks of the Loulan River. Shangyu is a popular tourist destination in Kodeshia, hosting several attractions and festivals during the year.

History
During ancient times, Shangyu was an important capital during the Southern Lu state. In the year 1572 CE, the Great Monsoon Floods shook the land, destroying large parts of the city, prompting decline and ultimate destruction of the Southern Lu state and the rise of the Sui dynasty in 1577 CE. Under Sui and Cao rule, Dachian became a province ruled by the military and Shangyu remained the capital. The area saw the influx of Qingcheng merchants who opened new businesses such as rice trading houses. From the 17th century to the early 20th century, the city grew into a prosperous city renowned for its handicrafts. A devastating earthquake hit the city on 5 July 1908. However, this did not prevent it from becoming Kodeshia's leading provincial centre by the year 1922. The city was known for its industrial crafts such as steel works and arms-making during the past two centuries until it gained favour with the rising imperial government.

It became a hub for the military expansion and research facilities by the mid 20th century. During the Grand Campaigns it had an Imperial Arsenal helping the war effort. It was an important city during the civil war as well, serving as a Republican stronghold. After the civil war, it became a regional centre of commerce for Kodeshia. The Shangyu First Machinery Building Group Co. Ltd. was established by the new government to provide workshops for materiel, munitions, and weaponry maintenance for the military. In recent years, the city has been undergoing rapid urbanisation. As of 2004, Shangyu is the seventh largest city in Kodeshia.

Geography and Climate
Shangyu is located in the central part of Kodeshia. It also borders the Loulan River which flows from the western end of the Wuyin Mountains out to the northern. S hangyu has a tropical rainforest climate, hot, humid and sunny, with abundant rainfall, especially during the monsoon season. The city lies at a lower altitude than the rest of the region, making it subject to frequent floods, after heavy downpours; Because irrigation structure lags behind the intense development of the city, the city's flood control system is inadequate.

The city's location is at a higher elevation than the surrounding lowlands. The average annual precipitation levels can reach up to 2,200 millimetres (85.7 in).

Politics
Shangyu is the provincial capital and administrative hub for Zhongyuan province. The Provincial Government of Zhongyuan is responsible for the city's local affairs and it is headed by a major and cabinet whose duties and responsibilities are determined by law. The city's mayor is directly elected by citizens in a general election held every five years. The mayor is responsible for managing the city's infrastructure and ensuring that all city services are provided in a timely manner.

Sun Fei of the National Conservative Alliance (NCA) is the current major. She is the longest serving mayoral candidate of the province's history, having been first elected on 24th June, 2003 after winning her reelection in 2007 and was re-elected once again in 2012.

Economy
Shangyu is an economic hub for the province of Kodeshia. The city is known for its manufacturing of aquaculture, firearms, textiles and electronics. Located on the flat east bank of the Loulan River, Shangyu has a significant amount of fertile land suitable for farming. It is also the site of the Shangyu First Machinery Building Group Co. Ltd., which is one of the leading arms manufacturers within Kodeshia. The city is also home to the Shangyu Municipal Stadium, which serves as the primary venue for sporting events in the city and also hosts various annual competitions for amateur athletes.

Demography
Shangyu total population of 2,745,885 citizens within the city's current land area according to the 2010 census. The male to female ratio stands at approximately 51.21 percent male to 48.79 female, with the largest group being the teenage and young adult population which make up 18.69 percent of the total population. There are various ethnic groups that have come into contact with each other throughout the ages but still maintain their own unique culture. The population growth is high enough that urban development is a necessity to accommodate the increasing population and the government has begun to spread out beyond its initial district boundries, into the surrounding towns and villages. However, such sprawl will most likely have long term affects on the environment as a number of endemic species rely heavily on the stability and isolation of a forest, which the city's rapid expansion would devastate. The majority of the population of Shangyu are employed by the province's businesses, administration, or are self-employed in the service sector.

Culture
Shangyu not only features a variety of antique and souvenir shops, but also unique restaurants, attractions and accommodations for tourists. Shangyu has a number of cultural festivals held yearly. The Lunar New Year festival is celebrated at the beginning of the lunar new year, with various events and celebrations being held across the city, such as dragon boat races on the river Loulan. A traditional folk music festival known as the Five Outbreaks is also held in the second month of the lunar calendar. This is a five-day event featuring a wide range of entertainment that includes singing, dancing, opera, theatre and art. During the summer months there is a different event hosted, the Sanqing Cup of Shangyu International Dragon Boat Race, which is held on the Loulan River and attracts thousands of people from all over Kodeshia. The city is known for its historic architecture, and several buildings are listed as historic treasures protected by the national government. These include the Sifangliu Pavilion (Hearing Hall), Faming Temple (Temple to Jieyun), Songshi Temple, Jishan Tower (built in the 12th century), the Grand Lu Palace, the Taishan Temple and Yongning Hall. Shangyu's cuisine has been influenced by its diverse population, with many ethnic groups sharing their own distinct traditions while maintaining a variety of influences from outside.

Medical facilities
Shangyu is a prominent medical hub in Kodeshia and has many hospitals and clinics. Many cosmetic surgery, dermatological, ophthalmic, dental clinics. There are also several health centers offering a variety of basic medical services and treatment options. The city also has a full range of community and preventative health programs focusing on patient education and overall health maintenance.

The medical situation within the city itself is managed through both local and provincial health commissions. The top level of government medical care is provided by the Central Hospital of the Kodeshi National Medical University located in the city, which is under the direct supervision of the national government. In addition, each of the 22 provincial hospitals are managed locally.

The city has a broad range of specialist doctors and support staff to help meet the demand for specialized care and treatment. An experienced staff of specialist surgeons is able to handle most forms of major operations.

Transportation
Travelling within the city is convenient and cheap by bus or taxi. In 2005, the start fee of Taxi for the first 3 kilometres is about Hz 4, and the cost for every additional kilometre is Hz 1. Fares are generally somewhat higher during 10 pm to 6 am. Normally Hz 6-7 is maximum for traveling in the city Shangyu. The Shangyu West Railway Station is located in Shangyu. The Shangyu Railway station offers hourly departures to destinations all over the city such as Songshan, Hongta, Yougang, and Lishui.

The city is connected to several main highways including the Songshan Highway, G75 Expressway, G75 Motorway, and the Tonggang-Huangyuan Highway. The local airport, called the Kodeshi Airport, serves mainly low-cost passenger jets. Air travel is popular as an alternative to driving, but fares tend to be slightly higher than similar journeys by bus.

Twin cities
Shangyu shares the title of twin city with several other cities or provinces around the world. (listed in order of dates).