Xuzhou is the oldest city in Jiangsu Province and is one of the best places in China to get a glimpse into the culture and history of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. -220 A.D.). With ancient Han tombs, terracotta warriors similar to the ones found in Xi'an, a distinctive cuisine, and numerous museums, Xuzhou offers travelers from both China and abroad an opportunity to deepen their knowledge about China's culture.
With a history of 2,600 years, Xuzhou is an important city from both a historical and military standpoint. From ancient dynasties to modern republics, Xuzhou has been a place of strategic value, as 200 of China's critical battles have taken place here. However, Xuzhou still remains relatively intact and a large amount of historic attractions and beautiful sites were magically preserved without much damages. The town was originally named Pengcheng during the Qin and Han dynasties and was the hometown of Liu Bang (206 B.C.- 8 A.D.), the first Han emperor and founder of the Han Dynasty. After ascending the throne, Liu Bang granted this land, called the Chu State, to his brother who finally became the King of the state with Pencheng as its capital city. Xuzhou is also the hometown of Liu Yu, Emperor Wudi of the Song Kingdom in the Northern and Southern Dynasties Period (386-581). Bai Juyi in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Su Dongpo in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Fang Xiaoru and Fan Jixun in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Li Keran as the expert of the national painting and Ma Ke as the famous musician, all lived in or had been to Xuzhou.
The region of Xuzhou has been inhabited for more than 6,000 years, long before it was designated a city. Numerous cultural relics have been found in and around the city that have helped to shed some light on the lifestyle and customs of this area's ancient culture. One highlight of visiting Xuzhou is the many tombs from the Han Dynasty. Hoping to enter the afterlife in appropriate style, the ancient people constructed many massive tombs and had them adorned with jade and gold treasures and decorated with finely carved stone reliefs, and some tombs even with armies of terracotta warriors. These monumental underground tombs are currently open to visitors, and their treasures are also displayed in the city's excellent archaeological museum. Another gallery showcases their superb stone reliefs. In order to explore and utilize its cultural resources, Xuzhou Research Institute of Han Culture was established, which conducted repairs to the Tomb of Beidongshan, the Tomb of Guishan, the Tomb of Baiji, the Mausoleum of King of the Chu Kingdom in Lion Mountain, the Museum of Han Dynasty Terracotta Warriors and Horses and the Sont Relief Museum.
Xuzhou's cuisine is itself a reason to visit- the city has a distinctive hearty and delicious cuisine based on lamb generously seasoned with cilantro and chili.
Xuzhou is located in the northwest of Jiangsu Province, only 300 kilometers away from Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu. Xuzhou is the connecting point of five provinces, offering relatively complete infrastructure and advanced transportation. It is the second important pivot of the railway of China. The Beijing-Shanghai Railway and the Longhai Railway cut through here. The road network in Xuzhou extends in every direction. The Grand Canal runs through it, providing convenient water transportation.
Xuzhou has a mild climate with distinct seasons. Most of Xuzhou is composed of plains, alternating with hills. The Yi River, Shu River, and the Yellow River all run through the city while Luoma Lake and Weishang Lake are situated on the southern and northern outskirts of the city.