Shuozhou, an ancient city in North China's Shanxi Province, has a history as long as the culture of Chinese civilization, the mayor said Tuesday.

Tian Xirong briefed a group of Internet media reporters from across the country that is on a weeklong tour in the province to help promote its image.

In the northern part of the province, Shuozhou is known for its coal production, including China's biggest strip coal mine - Antaibu, one of China's most famous project to mark the opening policy.

In mid 1980's, late Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping met with US visitor and hammered a deal to co-develop the mine, 20 kilometers west to the city.

As state-run coal production and thermo-power generation play a dominant role in the city's industrial structure, two-thirds of the city's Gross Domestic Production (GDP) and net income go directly to central government.

"The biggest advantage of Shuozhou is coal production, while the biggest problem is the shortage of water," Tian said.

A water-transferring project is under construction, which will see Yellow River water lifted from the province's west Wanjiazhai dam and run all the way across the city.

The city have China's oldest and highest wood-structure tower - the Fogong Temple tower. With a height equaling to 15-storey building.