Liuzhou

Liuzhou (zh-cpw|c=柳州 |t=|柳州 |p=Liǔzhōu|w=Liuchow) is a prefecture-level city in north-central Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in southern China. Population: 1.4 million. Area: 5,250 km².

Geography

Liuzhou is located on the banks of the winding Liu River, approximately 255 km from Nanning, the provincial capital. Liuzhou is 3,535 kilometres from Beijing, 2,033 km from Shanghai and 727 km from Hong Kong. Swimming in the river is a tradition of the city. In summer, floods from the mountain areas upstream bring sediment which colors the water yellow.

History

Liuzhou has a history of more than 2,100 years. The city was founded in 111 B.C. when it was known as Tanzhong. In 742 A.D. it became known as Longcheng (Dragon City), before finally changing to Liuzhou in 1736. The most famous historic figure is Liu Zongyuan (773-819), who was a poet and politician in the Tang Dynasty and who died in Liuzhou. He is commemorated by a park in the city.

Administrative divisions

*Liucheng County
*Liujiang County
*Luzhai County
*Rong'an County
*Rongshui County
*Sanjiang County

Economy

Liuzhou is the second largest city in Guangxi and is the region's industrial center.According to statistics issued by Liuzhou government, in 2004, the city’s GDP was 40.4 billion Yuan.

Tourism

As with much of Guangxi, the landscape around Liuzhou is a mix of rolling hills, mountain peaks, caves and karst scenery. It is an ideal base for exploring the minority villages in the area.

Transportation

Liuzhou Airport provides flights to major cities in China.

Quotes

Liuzhou appears in the Chinese saying:"Born in Suzhou, live in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, die in Liuzhou"because of the local nanmu (zh-cp|c=楠木|p=nánmù) wood coffins, which are said to preserve the body after death. Guangzhou's "Cantonese" cuisine is famous worldwide, and Hangzhou is known for its prosperity and the beauty of its location. Suzhou is reputed to have the most beautiful people in China, so the line is sometimes given as "Marry in Suzhou"...".

ister cities

*flagicon|Philippines Muntinlupa, Philippines
*flagicon|United States Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
*flagicon|Germany Passau, Germany

Miscellaneous

Liuzhou was the birthplace of Li Ning (born 1963), gymnast and entrepreneur who lit the Olympic torch in Beijing in 2008.

Chinese gymnast, Jiang Yuyuan was also born in Liuzhou.

External links

* [http://english.liuzhou.gov.cn// Official Website]
* [http://www.liuzhou.co.uk/liuzhou.htm Pictures]
* [http://www.liuzhou.co.uk/liuzhou/welcome.htm Introduction to Liuzhou]
* [http://liuzhou.blog-city.com/read/page/video.htm Liuzhou Videos]