Rizhao (Chinese: 日照), alternatively romanized as Jihchao, is a prefecture-level city in southeastern Shandong province, China. It is situated on the coastline along the Yellow Sea, and features a major seaport, the Port of Rizhao. It borders Qingdao to the northeast, Weifang to the north, Linyi to the west and southwest, and faces Korea and Japan across the Yellow Sea to the east.
The name of the city literally means "sunshine". The city is known for its sustainability, and it mandates solar-water heaters in all new buildings. Rizhao city was recognized by the United Nations as one of the most habitable cities in the world in 2009.The city population stands at 2,968,365 people as of the 2020 Chinese census, of whom 1,172,205 live in the urban area of Donggang District.
Rizhao has two natural harbors, Shibaiwan and Fotanwan, and Rizhao and Lanshan harbors, which are known as "Water Sports Capital" and "Oriental Sun City". Rizhao has won the UN Habitat Award for its excellent environment. Rizhao is also an important economic center in Shandong Province, known for its port, petrochemical, coal and power industries.
Rizhao, named after "the first light of the sunrise", is located in the middle section of China's main coastal axis. At the end of 2022, the city had a resident population of almost 3 million people.
Rizhao City belonged to the East Barbarians during the Xia and Shang Dynasties, and was one of the birthplaces of the Longshan culture.
