In Xia and Shang Dynasties, Rizhao belonged to Dongyi(the ancient tribe in Eastern China). From Western Zhou to Warring States Period, Rizhao belonged to Ju State. Within the boundary, there are some famous historic relics including Lingyanghe, Liangcheng, Donghaiyu, and Yaowangcheng. All these relics belong to Longshan Culture. According to the “Brief Guide of World History” published by BritishOxfordUniversity, LiangchengTown was the earliest city in Asia between 3500 B.C and 2000 B.C.

    The pictograph inscribed on the earthenware excavated in Ju County of Rizhao City is more than 4800 years old. The pictograph was proved to be the earliest pictograph in China, which is over 1000 years earlier than oracle. Rizhao black pottery with the history of 5000 years is the treasure of Chinese civilization. Rizhao is also one of the three famous towns of Modern Chinese Folk Paintings. The farmer’s paintings are very popular both home and abroad.

    A number of celebrities are from Rizhao for example Liu Xie, the author of the first Chinese literary theoretical works----“Wen Xin Diao Long” as well as the famous Chinese literary critic in South and North Dynasty and Dr. Samuel Ting, the world famous physicist and Nobel Prize laureate. There are 3,800 people in Rizhao joined the army during the Anti-Japanese War of Resistance and the War of Liberation. Some famous revolutionist, such as Chen Yi, Xu Xiangqian, Luo Rongheng, Gu Mu etc, used to work and fight in Rizhao.
    Rizhao is a famous town inhabited by overseas Chinese. Rizhao has 23,000 overseas Chinese, 2600 Hong Kong and Macao compatriots and 30,000 Taiwan compatriots. There are more than 75,000 relatives of overseas Chinese and and returned overseas Chinese, including 2000 returned overseas Chinese in Rizhao.