Scene of many battles, home to pheasant soup

The good thing about being born in a historical city is all the interesting legends and anecdotes associated with it. The history of my hometown Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, dates back 4,000 years. Over the years, many stories have been handed down and have found their ways into history books.

Located in the northwestern part of Jiangsu, Xuzhou is also known as Pengcheng, the City of Peng.

One of my favorite anecdotes is about Pengzu, a Pengcheng ancestor. Legend has it that he lived for more than 800 years, had 49 wives and 54 sons. He is believed to be not only the longest living Chinese, but also the first to make a nutritious bowl of pheasant soup, and the first to pass down a system of diet, therapy and breathing exercises to promote good health.

Xuzhou is known as one of the biggest transport hubs in eastern China. It is a crossover point for two major railways in the country - Beijing to Shanghai and Lianyungang of Jiangsu to Lanzhou of Gansu. Its highways link five neighboring provinces. It is also an important port along the Grand Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou.

This strategic location made the city an important target for enemy assaults. The city has witnessed numerous wars, from ancient to modern times. The latest was the famous Huaihai Battle in the Liberation War (1945-49).

In December, 1948, some 600,000 People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers defeated 800,000 Kuomintang soldiers in the areas around Xuzhou. The battle is considered one of three wars that decided the fate of China. The Martyr Memorial Tower of Huaihai Battle is still an important site to visit.

Xuzhou is also famous for ancient relics of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). The most famous sites include the Tomb of King of Chu at Shizishan (Hill of the Lion), where there are miniature terracotta warriors that measure from 20-50 cm, the Han Dynasty Fresco Museum, and the Han Dynasty Stone Tomb at Guishan (Hill of the Turtle).

Scenic spots include Yunlongshan (The mountain of the Cloud Dragon), and Yunlonghu (The Lake of the Cloud Dragon). The lake was dredged by tens of thousands of Xuzhou people and PLA soldiers in 1979. My mom used to tell me that my father was among those who joined them. It has become a popular hangout for the people of the city.

Like their ancestors, Xuzhou people enjoy good food, and the women catch up fast with the latest in fashion. Among the traditional gourmet foods are hawthorn fruit cake, toddler crisp candy and three-chop honey cake.

The people of Xuzhou are seen as brave and straightforward. The men like drinking, though nowadays few people force their friends to drink.

After suffering numerous wars and floods, the people of Xuzhou are finally leading a steady, prosperous life.

(China Daily 04/03/2008 page19)