Qinzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China

🇨🇳 Qinzhou (Yamchow, 钦州) is a prefecture-level city in Guangxi, China, lying on the Gulf of Tonkin. The built-up (or metro) area made of Qinbei and Qinnan urban Districts.

History The area originally belonged to Guangdong and was transferred to Guangxi in 1965. The city was originally a county Qinxian (postal: Yamhsien). From the beginning of the present era, Qinzhou (Wade-Giles: K'in-chou) was for many centuries "the centre of Chinese overland trade with Indo-China".

Administration The Qinzhou municipal region comprises two (county-level) districts and two counties.

Population data is as of 2009. • Qinnan District (钦南区); • Qinbei District (钦北区); • Lingshan County (灵山县); • Pubei County (浦北县).

Nature Critically endangered Chinese white dolphins still live in the waters of these areas such as in Sanniang Bay. They are threatened by various factors such habitat loss.

Economy In 2004, the GDP totaled 17,5 billion yuan, and the GDP per capita was 5,131 yuan.

Grain cultivation, hog husbandry, fruit growing and fishing are of significance in the surrounding areas.

Qinzhou is also one of the centres of turtle farming; according to one estimate, as of c. 2012, over 10,000 families in the Qinzhou area were involved in that industry, raising 1.25 million turtles at their homes and farms. Around 1,500 tons of turtles are sold by Qinzhou's turtle farmers to the national market every year.

Oysters are also a significant product from Qinzhou. Oyster farming has reached 230,000 tons a year in an area of 10,100 hectares (38.9 square miles) It has become so popular, every year from December 1–28, Qinzhou hosts its annual Oyster Festival. Gourmet food is served and the oyster is celebrated all month long. People from all over the world go to enjoy oysters prepared in a variety of ways. There are demonstrations where chefs prepare oysters the way you want right in front of you.