Tangshan
(Hebei Online)
Updated: 2004-07-15 10:43

Tangshan is located in the center of the Bohai Sea Cities, bordered on the south by the Bohai Sea, on the north by Mount Yan, on the east by Qinhuangdao, on the west by Beijing and Tianjin, and faces the Korean Peninsula across the sea.

It is a major coastal city with a long history enjoying the title "Precious Land East of Beijing" This wonderful land produced the first modern coal mine, the first standard railway, the first steam engine, the first sack of cement and the first sanitary ware in China. Thus Tangshan is called "the cradle of China's modern industry"

The name Tangshan comes from Tangshan Hill (now Dacheng Hill) in the urban center. The 1976 earthquake shocked the world and so did its new rising after the earthquake.

Some people said that Tangshan would disappear from the earth after the earthquake. However, with the great help and support of the national people, Tangshan people built their new homes on the ruined site with diligent hands and strong-willed spirits. In 1990 Tangshan got the reputation of Habitat awarded by the United Nations.

Tangshan has convenient transportation. Here are 3 national railways (Datong-Qinhuangdao, Beijing-Qinhuangdao and Beijing-Harbin), 2 local railways and 4 Expressways (Beijing-Shenyang, Tangshan-Tianjin, Tangshan-Jingtang Port and West Outer Ring). Now Jingtang Port has been opened to more than 40 countries and regions.

Tangshan has 53 travel agencies, 30 star-level hotels, 7 tourist restaurants for foreign visitors, 29 scenic spots, 100 tourist buses and 50 pleasure boats and passenger boats. There are shopping centers like Department Store, Hualian Commercial Mansion, Jiale Supermarket and others. Food, lodging, transportation, sightseeing, shopping and entertainment will satisfy your needs.

Tangshan faces the sea, with mountains behind. Its complex and various landforms and unique history and culture make Tangshan a tourist city with natural resources of mountains, sea, forests, lakes, islands and others.

In the north stands the Ming Great Wall, simple and elegant, two hundred and wtenty of its total 5,000 kilometers winds its way through Tangshan.

The Great Wall under the water in Qianxi County, the Granite Great Wall in Qia'sn City, the Dry-laid Great Wall on the Jiufeng Mountain, the Great Wall brick kiln-Zuosan Kiln, Xifeng Pass, Qingshanguan Pass, Prison Tower, 72-Arch Tower, Water Gate and Horse Rearing Fold are all excellent aspects of the Great Wall.

North and south of the Great Wall are located many scenic spots, like the East Qing Tombs, Jingzhong Mountain, Shangguan Lake, Mount Ling and others. The East Qing Tombs is one of the largest existing tombs with better design in China. Jingzhong Mountain has big rocks and thick pines, filled with colors of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.

Many folk activities are rich and colorful there. Tangquan Fountain has a long history. Bathing in it is good for your health. Mount Ling has strange peaks, with green pines and colorful odd-shaped rocks here and there. These human and natural sights add untold charm to the Great Wall. Along the Great Wall people are simple and unsophisticated, and you can hear many legends and stories about the Great Wall. This tourist route can be your best choice.

In the south is the seashore with seaside and islands. The biggest island in North China is Bodhi Island, full of wonders of wildness, sea, sand, majesty, green, birds, sun and moon and Buddhism that eight islands have.

On Yuetuo Island you can see rare grass and flowers and hear birds singing, full of Dutch colors and styles. On Golden Sand Island there is a lake, but an island is in this lake. Golden Silver Seaside and Clear Sea are two seaside resorts with clear water and small waves. They are flat, wide and sandy, a good holiday resort for you to visit. In addition, you can visit Li Dazhao's Memorial Hall and Former Residence in memory of great contributions martyrs made.

In the downtown area, science and culture are rich. The Earthquake Site, Earthquake-Resistant Memorial Monument and Memorial Hall can tell you that shocking and unforgettable history. Steam engine, porcelain production line and Kailuan's tour under the coal mine will tell you of the industrial civilization of Tangshan. South Lake, Dacheng Hill Park and Phoenix Hill Park show Tangshan's new face.

Tangshan Museum can tell you of the 1,000-year history of Tangshan. Every year, China's Porcelain Exposition is held here, and draws a lot of visitors and merchants in China and the rest of the world. Every year, China,s Pingju (a local opera of North China) Festival is held here and attracts many famous actors and actresses. Both promote Tangshan's economic development.

Tangshan, rich in local theatrical performance, is the birthplace of Leather-silhouette Show, pingju and Leting dagu (versified story sung to the accompaniment of a small drum and other instruments), which are called the 3 Flowers of East Hebei Province.

The Tangshan Leather-silhouette Show is called an art of "Magic Lightning" The 3 Pingju dramas Third Sister Yang Going to Court, Flowers as Go-betweens and Qin Xianglian are popular. Leting Dagu is rich and soft with speech and singing.

Local products are rich in Tangshan. Chinese chestnuts east of Beijing, Donglu earth peas, Yanshan red persimmons, Yutian dates, Dongfang prawns, Changlu salt, Yutian cabbages, Yanzhi rice, Xiaozhan rice and so on are all local products. In addition, porcelain, Leting basketry, Baimiao brooms, leather-silhouette dolls, bamboo boards, man-made flowers, ox horn carving, shell ornaments, Yutian clay figurines and so on attract a lot of visitors.

Tangshan food has a more than 200-year-old history. It introduced Shandong food and the imperial food to establish its own style, famous food like braised sea cucumbers with pork, fried diced fish and so on. Honey sugar with sesame oil, chess-piece-shaped cakes, Wanlixiang smoked chicken and others can whet your appetite.

Come to Tangshan and see its new face. Here mountains, water, people and love are waiting for you. When you are here for sightseeing, please phone Tangshan Tourist Bureau: 86-315-2802894 if you meet any difficulty.

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