Gaoyou

Gaoyou (zh-stp|s=高邮|t=高郵|p=gāoyóu; lit. "high post (stop)", also called Qinyou (zh-stp|s=秦邮|t=秦郵|p=qínyóu; "Qín post stop") is a cultural city with a long history in China's Jiangsu Province, located in the Yangtze River Delta in the North side of the Open Economic Development Zone along the Yangtze River. Population (2000): 150,000, with over 830,000 in its metropolitan area. Area: 1,963 km².

Administration

Gaoyou is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou prefecture-level city, in the Jiangsu Province of the People's Republic of China.

History

Gaoyou was founded in 223 BC, but recent archaeological finds at the Longqiuzhuang site in Gaoyou has found evidence of rice growing dating back 5,500-7,000 years. In 1375, early in the Ming Dynasty by the Hongwu Emperor, a post office was constructed called Yucheng You. At that time, it was one of the 46 important mail posts along the Grand Canal between Beijing and Nanjing. It was in used until the 1911 Revolution.

The profound history and culture of Gaoyou fostered Qin Shaoyou, the well-known poet in the Song Dynasty, Wang Nianshun and Wang Yinzhi (father and son), the celebrated classics interpreters in the Qing Dynasty, Sun Yunzhu, the modern paleontologist and Wang Chenqi, the contemporary writer.

Geography

Gaoyou is located at 32°47'N, 119°25'E in the southern part of the Jianghuai Plain, 40 km north of Yangzhou on the east shore of Gaoyou Lake. The Beijing-Shanghai expressway and the Grand Canal of China run though the city center from the north to the south.

Climate

The climate of Gaoyou belongs to the subtropical monsoon marine climate. Gaoyou is temperate and moist and the four seasons are quit distinct.

Geology

Gaoyou is relatively flat with an elevation of 2 to 3 meters. The ground is mostly made up of clay.

Tourism

1. [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/gb/zjgy/zjgy_lyfg/2006-06/1150699671.shtml The Yucheng Post and Museum (in chinese)] As postal stop in Qing dysnasty (221 BC). As post station, it was built @ AD 1375. Largest and oldest historic post-office in the world. [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/attach/Image/ly_ycy.jpgpicture] .

2. [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/gb/zjgy/zjgy_lyfg/2005-12/1135652391.shtml The Wenyou Platform (in chinese)] :built @ AD 976. To memorize Qin Shaoyou, a well-known poet @ Song Dynasty. [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/attach/Image/wyt.jpgpicture] .

3. [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/gb/zjgy/zjgy_lyfg/2005-12/1135651172.shtml Longqiu Village (in chinese)] :7000 year history. Area @ 43,000 m2. [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/attach/Image/aaa.jpgpicture] .

4. [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/attach/Image/ly_dygc.jpgPeople's Plaza (AD 2002), Kuixing Pavilion (AD 971, high 20 m, 3 stories) and City Wall (AD 1623)] , [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/attach/Image/ly_jtst.jpgJingtusi Pagoda] (AD 1612, high 30 m, 7 stories) and [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/attach/Image/ly_zgs.jpgZhenguosi Pagoda] (AD 873-889, high 34 m, 7 stories). ODD number of story is YANG, that means strong, bright and ascending etc, based on the theory of Ying-Yang.

5. [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/gb/zjgy/zjgy_lyfg/2005-12/1135652393.shtml Wang's museum (in chinese)] :Wang Nianshun (1744-1834,Father) and Wang Yinzhi (1766-1834, son), Masters in Confucian Philosophy and Classic literatures. [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/attach/Image/wsjlg.jpgpicture] .

Economy

Gaoyou has a very fast growing economy. It is home to approximately 3,000 industrial enterprises, most of which belong to the following sectors: machinery, light industry, textile, mechanical industry, building materials, and electronics.

Agriculture plays a large part in the overall economy of the region. The well-known feature product is "double yolk duck egg".

See also

* [http://www.gaoyou.gov.cn/index.shtml Gaoyou government in chinese]
* List of administrative divisions of Jiangsu

External links

* [http://www.aboutgaoyou.com Gaoyou Information Website]
* [http://www.jiangsu.net/city/city.php?name=gaoyou Gaoyou City English guide] (Jiangsu.NET)