Major Economic Indicators (2010)
Songyuan is located in the mid-western part of Jilin Province, in the southern part of Songnen Plain. It covers an area of approximately 20,159 sq km. The population of the city amounted to 2.9 million at the end of 2009.
Songyuan has a temperate monsoon continental climate with a very dry spring, a hot, rainy summer, a cool autumn, and a long, cold, dry winter. The average temperature is 4.5°C. The average annual precipitation reaches 400-500 mm, while the average annual sunshine totals 2,879 hours.
Songyuan is rich in natural resources and is famous as a granary, meat depository, fishery, and source for oil. Reserves of oil amount to 2.6 billion tons, while reserves of natural gas total 18.5 billion cubic meters. Songuyan’s Jilin Oilfield, the sixth largest oilfield in China, has an annual crude oil yield of 3.5 million tons. In addition, Songyuan is also an important commodity grain base in China. Grain output amounted to 5.55 million tons in 2009, contributing more than 20% to the province's total.
Transportation in Songyuan is very convenient. Since Songyuan is located at the intersection of Jilin Province, Heilongjiang Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, there are railways and highways connecting the city with surrounding cities and extending to most major cities throughout China. Songyuan Port, which will be the largest inland river port in Jilin Province when it is complete, will have an annual throughput capacity of 800,000 tons.
Songyuan has a profound history. As early as 7,000 years ago, there were people living and multiplying here. Songyuan culture is a branch of Guandong culture, and is famous for its Manchu and Mongol folk character.
Songyuan is one of the birthplaces of Manchu culture. Manchu ancestors were born in Songyuan and followed their own religion, namely Shamanism.
Tourist attractions in Songyuan include Chagan Lake, which is one of six freshwater lakes in China, Changshan Pearl Garden, an A-level national park in China, Lianhuayuan, which means headstream of the lotus flower, the 185.5 meter-high Hada Mountain, Longhua Temple, which is the largest temple in Aisa in terms of land area, and the 70 year-old Ciyun Temple.
Shengyu, is one of the most famous dishes in Songyuan and has approximately 300 years of history. In addition, Mongol dishes such as roasted lamb and milk tea are also popular in Songyuan.
