Major Economic Indicators (2010)
Zaozhuang is a prefecture-level city lying in the southern part of Shandong Province. Situated at the intersection of Shandong and Jiangsu Province, it borders Linyi, Shandong to the east, Pizhou, Jiangsu to the south, Jining, Shandong to the west and Zoucheng, Shandong to the north. It covers an area of 4,563 sq km.
Zaozhuang has convenient transportation. The Beijing-Shanghai Railway, the Beijing-Fuzhou Railway and the Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Railway traverse across the city, as does the Grand Canal. The city is located 200 km from Jinan Airport in Shandong Province and 60 km from Xuzhou Airport in Jiangsu Province, both of which offer daily flights to major cities throughout China. Qingdao Port, Rizhao Port and Lianyugang Port are within 5 hours’ drive from Zaozhuang.
The city enjoys a temperate monsoon climate, with four mild, distinct seasons. The average temperature in Zaozhuang is about 15°C.
Zaozhuang enjoys a long history. During the Xia Dynasty (2100 BC-1600 BC), the city belonged to different states. In 254 BC, during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-221 BC), the whole territory of present-day Zaozhuang was under the administration of Chu State. During the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC) and the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 189), Zaozhuang was divided into different parts belonging to different states. Then in the Three Kingdoms Period (AD 180-AD 280), the whole region of Zaozhuang fell into the jurisdiction of Wei State. Since AD550, during the Southern Dynasty (AD 420-589), Zaozhuang was divided into two parts in the north and south, which were finally named Tengxian and Fengxian. In 1960, Fengxian was changed into Zaozhuang City. Zaozhuang is the home town of Mozi, a famous Chinese philosopher in the Warring States Period (476 BC-221 BC). He founded the school of Mohism. Zaozhuang was also a revolutionary base for the railway guerillas during the Chinese Anti-Japanese War.
Zaozhuang has abundant tourism resources. The relics of Xue State and Teng State, Wanmu Megranates Orchard, Mozi Memorial Hall, Tai’erzhuang Battle Site, the Railway Guerilla Memorial Garden, Xiong’er Mountain National Geologic Park and Baodugu National Forest Park are worth visiting. The relics of Xue State and Teng States are situated in Tengzhou City, a county-level city under Zaozhuang. The old town of Xue State is one of the best preserved ancient towns in China. Wanmu Megranates Orchard, the largest megranates orchard, is located in the Yicheng District. Tai’erzhuang Battle Site was founded in memory of the Tai’erzhuang Battle in 1938. Films, photos and other documentation of the battle are displayed in the memorial hall. Red dates and megranates are most popular local products in Zaozhuang.
The local cuisine in Zaozhuang belongs to Shandong Cuisine. Yimengshan Mutton Soup, Vegetable Pancake, Spicy Chicken, Kua Bao Huo Shao (a kind of baked square pancake) and Nanyang Duck are the most popular local dishes in Zaozhuang.
Provincial Advanced City in Social Development (2008)- Shandong Provincial Government
