Linyi

Linyi (simplified Chinese: 临沂; traditional Chinese: 臨沂; pinyin: Línyí) is a prefecture-level city in the south of Shandong province, China. As of 2011, Linyi is the largest prefecture-level city in Shandong, both by area and population, Linyi borders Rizhao to the east, Weifang to the northeast, Zibo to the north, Tai'an to the northwest, Jining to the west, Zaozhuang to the southwest, and the province of Jiangsu to the south. The name of the city Linyi (临沂) literally means "close to the Yi River". Linyi City, referred to as Yi, the ancient name of Langya, Yizhou. It is located in the transition zone between Shandong hilly Yimeng Mountain area and Yishu River alluvial plain, and the terrain is high in the north and low in the south. The three major mountain ranges of Yishan, Mengshan and Nishan are distributed in the north, with hills in the center and plains in the south. The Yi River, Shu River and Surabaya River all originate from the Yimeng Mountains and flow into the East China Sea. The municipal government is located at No.17 Beijing Road, Lanshan District. Linyi is one of the third batch of National Civilized Cities,[4] China's Outstanding Tourist Cities, China's Garden Cities, China's Hygienic Cities, China's Model Environmental Protection Cities and National Forest Cities.[5] The city recently expanded along the Yi River to Nanfang, now called the Beicheng New Area, under the slogan "Grand Linyi, Beautiful Linyi, New Linyi". Multiple recreational parks were built, along with new school campuses etc. The development is a consequence of a series of governmental projects, including relocate the city government, which is expected to stimulate the economy.[6]