Lijin County 利津县

Setting and landscape

The Yellow River is the county's only natural river. It follows the eastern boundary for 74 kilometres, from Dongwang village (董王村) in Beisong (北宋镇) past the county town to Xihekou (西河口), where it turns north-east through Kenli (垦利) to the sea. The land slopes down to the north-east and is higher near the river; past breaches of the Yellow River have left a patchwork of low ridges, slopes and hollows. The 59-kilometre coast has wide tidal flats and is known locally as a "home of a hundred fish" and of the eastern prawn, and red-crowned cranes and swans live in a national nature reserve in the county.

History

In the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods the area was known for "Quzhan salt" (渠展之盐). Under the Sui it was the town of Yongli (永利镇); in January 1193, under the Jin, the town became a county, named, according to the county government, for its Dongjin (东津, 'eastern ford') wharf. Controlling both the Yellow River and a sea route, Lijin grew into a river-and-sea trading town known as "Little Tianjin" (小天津), and the outline of its old walled town earned it the name Phoenix City (凤凰城). On 18 August 1944 the county town was taken by Communist forces, and Lijin calls itself the first county in Shandong to be fully liberated.

What to see

The Lijin Museum (利津县博物馆), opened on 26 October 2011 in a building shaped like a phoenix with spread wings, holds 3,706 objects and is a national 3A scenic area. The Phoenix City Riverside Leisure Area (凤凰城滨河休闲旅游区) follows the Yellow River levee for 27.5 kilometres and includes the Dongjin ferry site (东津渡遗址), Dongjin Wetland (东津湿地) and Yongli Bridge (永利桥). In Yanwo (盐窝镇), the Laojie Changxiang intangible-heritage street (老街长巷非遗文化街) runs 5 kilometres north from the levee at Nanling village (南岭村) and houses 35 intangible-heritage items; it became a 3A scenic area in 2021.

Food and local traditions

The county government names three local snacks: Lijin pan-fried buns (利津水煎包), a provincial intangible-heritage item; fresh fish soup from the old course of the Yellow River (黄河故道鲜鱼汤); and Yanwo mutton soup (盐窝羊汤). Folk performances include the "tiger fights ox" dance (虎斗牛) and bamboo-horse lanterns (竹马灯).

Highlights

• Lijin Museum 利津县博物馆: Opened in 2011 in a phoenix-shaped building; 3,706 objects; national 3A scenic area.
• Phoenix City Riverside Leisure Area 凤凰城滨河休闲旅游区: 27.5 km along the Yellow River levee, including the Dongjin ferry site; national 3A scenic area.
• Laojie Changxiang intangible-heritage street 老街长巷非遗文化街: 5 km street in Yanwo with 35 intangible-heritage items; 3A scenic area since 2021.
• Lijin pan-fried buns 利津水煎包: Local snack listed as a provincial intangible-heritage item.