Liqu
Liqu () is a town in Baota District, Yan'an, Shaanxi, China. Liqu is located in the northeast of central Baota District, bordered by to its north, to its south, to its east, and Qiaogou Subdistrict to its west. The town spans an area of , and has a population of 21,167 according to the 2010 Chinese Census. History. After Liu Bobo established the Great Xia dynasty in 407 CE, he built the ancient city of Fenglin (), which was located in present-day Zhoujiawan Village () in Liqu. Fenglin's location, on a mountainous terrace north of the Yan River, made the city  easy to defend. Fenglin was a walled city, and the city's walls were approximately high and anywhere between to thick. Song dynasty scientist Shen Kuo called the city as dense as a stone, and noted how difficult it would be to attack the city. The city was colloquially known as Helian City (), after Liu Bobo's alternative name Helian Bobo. In 577 CE, Fenglin County () was established, and was seated in the city of Fenglin. Song dynasty general Di Qing once renovated it. The county existed intermittently until 1072, when it was abolished by Emperor Shenzong of Song and  demoted to a town. Today, the site of Fenglin is used as farmland. In 1972 the people's communes of Liqu and Nianzhuang () were established. In 1984, the people's communes were abolished, and Liqu was re-established as a town, and Nianzhuang was re-established as a township. By 1996, Liqu spanned an area of , and had a population of approximately 16,000. That same year, Nianzhuang Township had a total area of , and a population of about 5,000. In 2001, Nianzhuang Township was merged into Liqu. Geography. Liqu is located in the northeast of central Baota District, bordered by  to its north, to its south, to its east, and Qiaogou Subdistrict to its west. The Yan River flows through the town. Administrative divisions. Liqu administers 2 residential communities and 24 administrative villages. Residential communities. The town's 2 residential communities are as follows: Administrative villages. The town's 24 administrative villages are as follows: Demographics. According to the 2010 Chinese Census, Liqu has a population of 21,167. A 2008 survey put the town's population at about 28,000 residents living in 5,360 households. Of this, 16,863 people lived in 4,110 agricultural households, 6,158 people lived in 1,328 non-agricultural  households, and 4,979 or so people were found to be temporary residents. The 2000 Chinese Census recorded a population of 17,343 in the town. A 1996 estimate put Liqu's population at approximately 16,000. Nianzhuang Township (), which would be merged into Liqu in 2001, had a population of about 5,000 in 1996, giving the combined area a total population of about 21,000. Transportation. The Shenmu–Yan'an railway passes through Liqu. is located in the town. National Highway 210 also passes through Liqu. The town was located away from the now-defunct Yan'an Ershilipu Airport. The region is now served by  Yan'an Nanniwan Airport.