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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.
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