Hanzhong Travel Guide

Population: 3,740,000

Area: 27,246 square kilometers (10,520 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 1 district (Hantai); 10 counties (Nanzheng, Chenggu, Yangxian, Xixiang, Mianxian, Ningqiang, Lueyang, Zhenba, Liuba, Foping)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0916-2222504
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiries: 184
Bank of China: 0916-2213580

Location: Located in the southwest of Shaanxi Province, Hanzhong lies on the south of Qinling Mountains, on the north of Daba Mountain with the Hanzhong Basin in the center. It is bounded on the southwest by Gansu and Sichuan provinces, and adjacent to Xian in the northeast.

History: Hanzhong gained its name for the Han River. As early as 2,400 years ago, Hanzhong Shire was established by the Qin Kingdom during the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC). It is the birthplace of the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD).

Physical Features: Hanzhong is sandwiched between the Qinling Mountains and Daba Mountain, at the upper reaches of the Han River. The river flows through the city, shaping the Hanzhong Basin in the heart of the city. Mountainous and hilly areas make up the main landform of Hanzhong.

Climatic Features: Situated in the transition area between warm temperate zone and subtropical zone, Hanzhong has moderate and humid weather without torrid summer. The winter current coming form North China was blocked by the Qinling Mountain, so its winter is relatively warmer. The rainy season usually appears during June to September.

When to Go: It is favorable to visiting Hanzhong at any seasons.

Special Local Products: Xiecun yellow wine and color rice of Yangxian County, Mingmei green tea of Mianxian County

Scenic Spots:
Ancient Plank Road: Ancient plank road between Sichuan and Shaanxi first constructed during the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC), and expanded in the Qin (221BC-206BC) and Han (206BC-220AD) dynasties. Ninety percent of the plank road was built in Hanzhong along the Han River. The most famous section is the Baoxie Road with the Rock Gate and Shimen Cliffside Inscriptions in today's Shimen reservoir area.
Crested Ibis Nature Reserve: Located in northern Yangxian County, this national nature reserve is established to protect the rare bird, crested ibis, from extinction. It has the only rescue and care center of Crested Ibis in China. The number of the bird has increased from the initial seven wild ones to five hundred.
Other Scenic Spots: Wuhou (Martial Marquis) Tomb, Ancient Hantai (Hanzhong Museum)

Tourist Tips:
Hanzhong Airport is 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) southwest of the city proper, only operating flights between Hanzhong and Xian taking 40 minutes. The new airport will be built in Mianxian County in the near future. Visitors can get to Xian for about seven hours by train.

Thanks for the completion of Xian-Hanzhong Expressway, the distance between the two cities is halved, only about three hours needed. Buses to Hanzhong city proper can be found in Xian North Bus Station in No.92, Zaoyuan Road (East). Visitors can get buses to the districts and counties of Hanzhong City from the Xian South Bus Station (Mingdemen Bus Station) in Zhuque Dajie. Terminal in the other end of the Xian-Hanzhong Expressway is the Hanzhong Express Bus Station in Xinqiao Shizi (Intersection).