Major Economic Indicators (2010)
The National Historical and Cultural City, Hanzhong, is located in the southwestern part of Shaanxi Province, at the southern foot of the Qinling Mountains. It covers an area of approximately 27,246 sq km. The population of the city amounted to 3.5 million by the end of 2009.
Situated in the Hanzhong basin, the city has no bitterly cold winter and no extremely hot summer. The average temperature here is 14°C while the average annual precipitation reaches 800-1,000 mm. Hanzhong is rich in natural resources. Forests cover 48% of the city’s lands, which contain timber reserves of 67.8 million steres. Reserves of iron, manganese, nickel, phosphate, gypsum, quartz stone and limestone rank first throughout the province. Since Hanjiang River, Jialingjiang River and their braches run through the city, theoretical reserves of hydro-energy amount to 2.6 million kw, making Hanzhong famous as a water town of North China.
Transportation in Hanzhong is very convenient. There are highways connecting the city with various scenery spots and with counties under its administration. In addition, Hanzhong is also accessible by railway. The Ankang-Pingyang Railway and the Chengdu-Shanghai Railway run through the city. Hanzhong Xiguan Airport, 2 km from the city’s downtown, operates daily flights to Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi Province.
Hanzhong boasts a profound history. As early as Shang Dynasty, there were people living in this area. Afterward, Hanzhong became an important military stronghold. Liubang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, established a military base in Hanzhong and eventually unified the whole country. Zhuge Liang, the most famous counselor in the Three Kingdoms period, also set up a military stronghold in Hanzhong.
Hanzhong is also the birthplace of Zhangqian, the exploiter of the Silk Road. Cailun, the creator of paper making, was buried here. Dingjun Mountain, the first Chinese movie, which was produced in 1905, was about fighting that happened in Mianxian County of Hanzhong during the Three Kingdoms period.
Hanzhong is rich in cultural landmarks and historic sites. There are ten key cultural landmarks under state-level protection, namely, Baoxie Road, Stone Gate, Wuhou Tomb, Longgang Temple, Zhangqian Tomb, Cailun Tomb, Kaiming Temple Tower, Lijia Village Ruins, Zhangliang Temple, and Lingya Temple.
Local snacks of Shannan Bacon, Chinese gooseberry liquor, salty vegetables, Hanzhong Bangbang Noodle and roasted duck can be delicious dishes for tourists from China and abroad.
National Excellent Tourism City (2007)-National Tourism Administration of P.R.China
Historical and Cultural City (1994)-State Council of P.R.China
