Liuzhou
Liuzhou (Chinese: 柳州; pinyin: Liǔzhōu; Wade–Giles: 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 away from Nanning, the provincial capital. Liuzhou is 3,535 kilometres from Beijing, 2,033 km from Shanghai and 727 km from Hong Kong. Liuzhou is the first city that the Liu River passes. Therefore, the water here is very clear. Swimming in the river is a tradition of the city.
History
Liuzhou enjoys a long history of more than 2100 years. The city was founded in 111 B.C. when it was known as Tanzhong. In 742 A.D. is became kown as Longcheng (Dragon City), before finally changing to Liuzhou in 1736. Liuzhou is a famous historic and cultural city designated by the State Council. The most famous historic figure is Liu Zongyuan (773-819), who was a poet and politician in the Tang Dynasty and died in Liuzhou.
Economy
It is the second largest city in Guangxi and the province's industrial center. According to statistics issued by Liuzhou government, in 2002, the city’s GDP was 28.64 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.
Quotes
Liuzhou appears in the Chinese saying
- Born in Suzhou, live in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, die in Liuzhou
because of the local nanmu (Chinese: 楠木; pinyin: 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...".
Sister cities
Miscellaneous
Liuzhou was the birthplace of Li Ning (born 1963), gymnast and entrepreneur.