Huaibei Travel Guide
Population: 2,122,000
Area: 2,741 square kilometers (1,058 square miles)
Nationalities: Han
Administrative Division: 3 districts (Xiangshan, Duji, Lieshan); 1 county (Suixi)
Seat of the city government: No.200, Huaihai Road, Xiangshan District, Huaibei City
Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0561-3026183, 3040217
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China Huaibei Branch: No.172, Gucheng Road, Xiangshan District, Huaibei City
China Post Huaibei Branch: No.79, Huaihai Road, Xiangshan District, Huaibei City
Location: Huaibei is situated in the north of Anhui Province, located at the hinterland of East China in the linking area among Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan and Anhui.
History: Circa 4,000 years ago, city was established in present downtown Huaibei. During the Xia (21st - 16th century BC) and Shang (16th - 11th century BC) dynasties, it was named as Xiangcheng governed by Xuzhou. In Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), it was the capital of the Pei State, and it was gradually declined since the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Physical Features: Huaibei slopes downwards from northwest to southeast, and over ninety-five percent of its territory is occupied by plains. The peak of the city lies in Suixi County with an altitude of 362 meters (1,188 feet) and the Huaibei city proper is built on the Xiangshan Mountain.
Climatic Features: Enjoying a temperate monsoon climate, Huaibei has an annual average temperature of 14.8C (58.6F). Spring and autumn are distinctly shorter than summer and winter. Its winter is cold and dry. Summer is both the hottest period and the rainy season.
When to Go: in spring and autumn
Special Local Products: Kouzi Liquor, Huangli megranate, Badou apricot, grape, watermelon, Bangbang Cha (a kind of tea)
Local Highlights: Huaibei Flower Drum Opera (Hua Gu Xi) is derived from the folk songs and dance of this region, being the most popular local entertainment.
Scenic Spots:
Xiangshan Mountain, winding on the Huaibei Plain, gathers multitude of beautiful sights of the city. Xiantong Temple is the most important scenic spot of the mountain. This temple was first constructed during the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316), and rebuilt in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The stele inscription by the Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty and the cliffside inscriptions on the Shenshui Crag (Shenshui Ya), together with the ancient buildings, are all the highlights of the temple.
Linhuan Ancient Tea Town: Linhuan Town, 37 kilometers (23 miles) southwest of the Suixi County on the north bank of the old huanshui River. The town has a history of more than 3,000 years and it has been over 600 years since the uprising of tea cultural in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In the 500 meters (547 yards) long central street stand no less than sixteen teahouses.
Tourist Tips:
1. Having the aid of Xuzhou Guanyin Airport in Jiangsu Province which is only about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the city, Huaibei is much more accessible from other cities by air.
2. From the Huaibei bus station located in Gucheng Road, Xuzhou can be reached within two hours. But it is quite farther to the capital city of the province, Hefei. Distance between them is over 300 kilometers (184 miles), and the journey between these two cities may cost no less than four hours.