Major Economic Indicators (2010)
Ankang is located in the southeastern part of Shaanxi Province, at the southern foot of the Qinling Mountains, at the intersection of Shaanxi Province, Sichuan Province, Hubei Province and Chongqing Municipality. It covers an area of 23,391 sq km. The population of the city amounted to 2.66 million by the end of 2009.
Ankang has a subtropical continental monsoon climate with plenty of rainfall and four distinct seasons. The average temperature is 12-15°C while the average annual precipitation reaches approximately 750-1,100 mm. Ankang is rich in water and mineral resources. Theoretical reserves of hydro-energy amount to 4.7 million kw, accounting for 36.8% of the province's total. Proven reserves of gold ore amount to 18.0 tons, ranking second after Hanzhong in the province, while proven reserves of mercury total 14,700 tons, ranking first throughout China. In addition, mineral resources such as lead-zinc, copper, manganese, and barite are abundant.
Transportation in Ankang is very convenient. State Highway 210 (which runs from Baotou of Inner Mongolia to Mashan of Guangxi) and State Highway 316 (which runs from Fuzhou of Fujian to Lanzhou of Gansu) run through the city. There are also railways connecting Ankang with major domestic cities such as Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Chongqing. Ankang Airport, 17 km from the city’s downtown, operates scheduled flights to Xi'an and Wuhan. In addition, via the Hanjiang River waterway, thousand-ton ships can sail directly to Hanzhong and Wuhan.
The Chu Kingdom conquered the ancient tribes living in the Ankang area during the Spring and Autumn Period. Ankang was a crucial place contested by the Qin and Chu kingdoms during the Warring States Period, after which it belonged to the Hanzhong Shire established by the Qin Dynasty.
Xiangxi Cave, which is about a half an hour from Ankang, is a garden scenic area boasting flourishing vegetation and ancient Tang Dynasty buildings repaired during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Yinghu Lake, formed by the construction of Ankang Hydropower Station on the Han River, is 18 kilometers (11 miles) southwest of the city downtown. It is the largest artificial lake in Northwest China.
Nangong Mountain National Forest Park, established on the site of an ancient glacier and volcano in the depths of the Daba Mountains, is well known for its spectacular peaks, green forests, strange stones, seas of clouds, springs and streams.
Among local snacks, Ankang Steamed Noodles with Sesame Sauce, is really special and popular in the city.
