|
Qinhuangdao
(Hebei Online)
Updated: 2004-07-15 10:46 Qinhuangdao lies in northeastern Hebei Province,
bordered on the north by Mount Yan, on the south by the Bohai Sea, on the east
by Liaoning Province and on the west by Beijing and Tianjin. It has 3 districts
and 4 counties, with a population of 2,640,000, covering 7,812 square
kilometers.
Named Jieshi in ancient times, Qinhuangdao has a long history. In 225 B.C.
Qin Shihuang (259-210 B.C.), First Emperor of Qin, arrived here on his fourth
inspection and sent Lu Sheng from Yan State and Han Zhong (a necromancer) out to
the sea to beg the gods that he might live forever. Qinhuangdao is the only city
named after one of the 340 emperors in the feudal society in China.
Mountains and sea make Qinhuangdao a military town where there were once many
wars, like Li Zicheng fighting against Wu Sangui, the warlord Feng Guozhang
against the warlord Zhang Zuolin (Zhi-Feng War), the Anti-Japanese Amalgamated
Army of the Northeast fighting bravely against the Japanese invaders, and so on.
Thus Qinhuangdao has enjoyed the name of "Throat and Key to
Beijing"since ancient times.Qinhuangdao enjoys a pleasant climate that is
neither hot in summer nor cold in winter. Its yearly temperature is 10.1
centigrade on average. The 260 kilometer-long Great Wall and 126 kilometer-long
coastline drew a lot of emperors, generals and scholars.
As early as 1898, the Qing government designated Beidaihe "International
Summer Resort" Since then, celebrities inside and outside China have flocked
here, making it a legendary place.
In 1984 the State Council approved
Qinhuangdao one of the first of China's coastal cities open to the outside
world. In 1988 Qinhuangdao was chosen as one of the first of China's top tourist
cities. The No.1 Pass Under Heaven, Old Dragon Head (starting point of the Great
Wall), Dove Park (one of the 8 national spots for seeing the sunrise), Golden
Beach (the largest sandy beach in China), Qiuxianruhaichu (here Qin Shihuang
dreamed to get medicine for longevity), Qinhuangdao Wild Animal Zoo, Mount Zu
scenic area (enjoying the title of "Northern Huangshan Mountain", Old Dragon
Head and Beidaihe Beach are a few of its 40 scenic spots.
In 1991
Shanhaiguan Pass, Old Dragon Head and Beidaihe Beach became members of China's
40 Top Tourist Resorts. In 2000 Shanhaiguan Pass Scenic Area, Xin'so Sea-floor
World and Wild Animal Zoo were chosen by China's Tourist Bureau as 4-A scenic
areas. In 2001 Shanhaiguan Pass district won the title of national historical
and cultural town. Qinhuangdao is rich in husbandry, fishery, rice and fruits.
Swimming crabs and prawns are the most famous of its sea products.
Grapes in Changli, honey peaches in Nandashi and wild kiwi fruits enjoy high
fame in the world. Chinese chestnuts east of Beijing and walnuts from Shimen
sell as far away as Germany and America. Rice from Funing, noodles made from
sweet potato starch from Lulong and bitter apricot kernels in Manchu Autonomous
County of Qinglong are local products of Qinhuangdao. Red wine from Changli and
Bull-branded beer from Shanhaiguan Pass are popular.
Green mountains and
clear water make Qinhuangdao people skillful in everything. Old Twin steamed
Jiaozi, Sitiao steamed stuffed bun, Yangchangzi ham, Changcheng pilaf cakes and
Huiji mung bean cakes are only a few of its dozens of delicious dishes.
Each year, Qinhuangdao has the Shanhaiguan Pass Great Wall Cultural
Festival, the Meng Jiangnu Temple Fair, the Seeing Sea Fair, the Climbing Mount
Jiao on Double Ninth Festival and some other activities. Travelling here, you
will enjoy rich and unique events. Qinhuangdao has 46 star-level hotels, more
than 2,000 hotels at all levels, 4,500 cars, buses and coaches, 80 pleasure
boats and 66 travel agencies satisfying the demands of every tourist.
Qinhuangdao enjoys convenient transportation. The G205 and Beijing-Shenyang,
Beijing-Qinhuangdao and Datong-Qinhuangdao railroads join here. The
Beijing-Qinhuangdao Expressway will take you right to Qinhuangdao from Beijing
in 2 hours. Shanhaiguan Pass Airport has been opened to Beijing, Guangzhou,
Shanghai, Kunming and 30 other national airways. Sea passenger transport is
opened to Dalian and Shanghai seasonally.
Qinhuangdao is like a bright
pearl on the Bohai Seashore. Being here for tourism is as if you walked into
history. Every brick, every tile, every part of the Great Wall, every grain of
sand and every seashell can tell endless ancient stories and
legends.
Long history, beautiful scenery, perfect services, and rich
local products will carry you away. If you need any help during your tour,
please phone Qinhuangdao Tourist Bureau: 86-335-3076554.
|
