Wuzhou (, postal: Wuchow; ), formerly Ngchow, is a prefecture-level city in the east of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.

Geography and climate

Wuzhou is located in eastern Guangxi bordering Guangdong province. It is at the confluence of the Gui River and the Xun River where they form the Xi River; 85% of all water in Guangxi flows through Wuzhou. The total area of Wuzhou is 12588 km2. The Tropic of Cancer bisects the city. Despite its latitude, Wuzhou has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), with short, mild winters, and long, very hot and humid summers. Winter begins dry but becomes progressively wetter and cloudier. Spring is generally overcast and often rainy, while summer continues to be rainy though is the sunniest time of year. Autumn is sunny and dry. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from 12.2 °C in January to 28.2 °C in July, and the annual mean is 21.24 °C. The annual rainfall is just above 1450 mm, and is delivered in bulk (~47%) from April to June, when the plum rains occur and often create the risk of flooding. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 17% in March to 55% in July, the city receives 1,738 hours of bright sunshine annually. Extreme temperatures have ranged from −3.0 °C to 39.7 °C.

Demographics

According to the 2020 Chinese census, its total population was 2,820,977 inhabitants of whom 859,815 lived in its built-up (or metro) area made of 3 urban districts. The average annual population decrease for the period 2010-2020 was -0.21% while the overall decrease rate is -2.12%. The dominant ethnic group in the prefecture-level city is Han Chinese but there are also Zhuang, Yao and others. Wuzhou traditionally belongs to the Cantonese cultural and linguistic region, so most people speak the Wuzhou dialect of Cantonese and Mandarin as a result of the Central Government's Mandarin promotion.

Administration

Wuzhou has 3 counties, 1 county-level city and 3 districts.

Delicacies

Amongst the agricultural products produced in the region of Wuzhou, one of the most favoured snacks is Wuzhou honey date. Guilinggao jelly is also described as a "Wuzhou delicacy". Bingquan Soy Milk (冰泉豆浆) is also welcomed by people and is in the list of premium choices for breakfast.

Trade

Wuzhou has become a hub of the synthetic gemstone trade, particularly specializing in corundum, spinel and cubic zirconia.

Transportation

High Speed Railway Railway Expressway Highway Air