Xuzhou - Oriental Athens
Xuzhou, known as Pengcheng in ancient times, is the fourth largest prefecture-level city of Jiangsu province, People’s Republic of China. It is known for its role as a transportation hub in northwestern Jiangsu, as it has expressways and railway links connecting directly to the provinces of Henan and Shandong, the neighboring port city of Lianyungang, as well as the economic hub Shanghai. Xuzhou is a famous ancient imperial city and the birthplace of Han Culture, known as “Motherland of Pengzu, Hometown of Liu Bang, Former Capital of Xiang Yu”. Having a large number of cultural heritage, scenic spots and historical sites, profound historical background, it is also called “Oriental Athens”.
Ancient History
With a civilization of over 5,000 years, Xuzhou was built 2,600 years ago and is one of the most ancient cities in China. Xuzhou was one of the nine states of the country over 3,000 years ago. As a city of Han Dynasty Culture, Xuzhou was the hometown of Liu Bang (256-195BC), the first emperor of Western Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty was divided into Eastern Han and Western Han periods (206BC-189AD) lasting for over 400 years.
Advantageous Location
Xuzhou is the geographic and economic center of over 20 cities covering Jiangsu Province, Shandong Province, Henan Province and Anhui Province. In China’s regional economic layout, it is the juncture of east coastal opening-up area and middle west developing area, bridging the Yangtze River Delta and the Bohai Rim Economic Circle. It is an important water and land transportation hub and an important intersection for all directions. It is the central city of the Huaihai Economic Zone.
Developed Transportation Network
Xuzhou is an important comprehensive national transportation hub, including railways, highways, waterways, airlines, and pipelines. Xuzhou’s market can cover 20 cities in its surrounding areas with a population of 120 million. The one-hour-traffic circle can cover 50 million people. In 2011, the Beijing-Shanghai express railway went into operation and Xuzhou has entered the two-hour economic circles with either Beijing or Shanghai as the core.
Xuzhou Guanyin Airport, the center airport in Huaihai Economic Zone, has passed the national level airport acceptance and become an important window opening to the outside world for Xuzhou and its surrounding cities.
Prosperous Economy
The most important industries in Xuzhou are machinery, energy and food production. To further improve city functions and expand city space, Xuzhou city is aiming to become a city of “eight centers” in the Huaihai Economic Zone including industry, transportation, business, logistics, information, education, medical services, culture, finance and tourism.
Science, Technology and Education
Xuzhou is “a city of science and education” with a galaxy of talents. There are altogether 31 independent scientific research institutes, 335 R&D institutions and 14 colleges and universities, including China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou Medical College, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou Institute of Technology, etc, which jointly provide Xuzhou with solid and strong intellectual support for its economic and social development.
Comfortable Climate
Xuzhou has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate, with cool, dry winters, warm springs, long, hot and humid summers, and crisp autumns. Snow may occur during winter, though rarely heavily. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 44% in July to 54% in three months, the city receives 2,221 hours of bright sunshine annually.
Scenic Spots
Tourist attractions in Xuzhou include Yunlong Mountain and the nearby Yunlong Lake, which are near the downtown area. There are also Xuzhou Museum and Han Dynasty Stone Carvings museum next to the Yunlong Mountain.
The most important places of interest in Xuzhou are the relics of Han Dynasty, including Terracotta Army of Han, Mausoleum of the Emperors of Han and the art of stone graving.
Population: 8 million
Temperature: average 14 °C (57.2 °F)
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