Shangluo Travel Guide
Population: 2,406,169
Area: 19,292 square kilometers (7,448 square miles)
Administrative Division: 1 district (Shangzhou); 6 counties (Luonan, Danfeng, Shangnan, Shanyang, Zhen'an, Zhashui)
Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0914-2313238
Shangluo Bus Station: 0914-2312982
City Bus Inquiry: 0914-2312037
First Aid Center: 0914-2312121
Location: Located in the southeast of Shaanxi Province, Shangluo lies in the south ranges of Qinling Mountain (the dividing line between north China and south China) and is neighbor to Hubei and Henan provinces.
History: As early as the Paleolithic Age, human beings started to live in this area. The name of Shangluo came into being in the Warring States Period (476 BC-227 BC). It once was divided into two parts which belonged to different states in the history. In 1949, it was liberated and was then divided into two parts: a county-level city Shangzhou and Shangluo Area. In 2002, the two were combined into a prefecture-level city Shangluo.
Physical Features: Shangluo has quite complicate physical features. Six mountains form various valleys where two rivers the Yangtze and the Yellow River cross. The mountain area extends from high northwest to low southeast like a huge palm.
Climatic Features: The north of Shangluo belongs to warm temperature zone while the south enjoys the subtropical climate. Four seasons are distinctive with dry and cold spring and wet and hot summer. The annual average temperature is from 7.8C (46F) to 13.9C (57F) at lowest and 37C (99F) to 40.8C (105F) at highest.
When to Go: Best time to visit Shangluo is either spring or autumn that is March to May or September to October.
Local Highlights: Shangluo is one of the most important wood production bases in Shaanxi. It is also called 'Natural Herb Storehouse' due to the thousands of herb varieties in the forests and mountains. Scenic beauty is most attractive to visitors. Danjiang River Cruise is called 'No.1 Cruise of Northwest China' while Zhashui Cave is honored as 'Wonder of North China'. The traditional culture is primitive and profound, such as Snatch Lantern, Sacrifice to King of Tree, Sisters' Song and other interesting marriage customs and various local operas. In addition, Shangluo was once an important revolutionary base of Chinese community in the early 1990s.
Special Local Products: Handicrafts: decorated chopsticks made of holly wood
Food: walnut, chestnut and persimmon
Famous Tourist Spots:
Danjiang River: Being the longest branch of Hanjiang River (one of the branches of the Yangtze River), Danjiang has been important water transportation since the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-470 BC). Danjiang Cruise is the first cruise in northwest China and is famous for its excitement, beautiful scenery and long history.
Zhashui Cave: Located in Shiwong Town in Zhashui County, Zhashui Cave is well renowned for it unpolluted environment and omniform karst caves.
Niubeiliang National Nature Reserve: Located north to Zhashui County, it is on the highest peak of Shangluo. The mountain forms a shape looking like the back of huge ox, hence its name Niubeiliang (Back of Ox Mountain). It is home to more than 20 kinds of rare animals and precious herbs.
Jinsixia National Forest Park: Located in Shangnan County, the valley lies like a torch encircled in mountains. It is famous for large quantity of rivers, verdant forests and primitive environment.
Other Spots: Xian'e Lake, Laojun Mountain, Elang Temple, Sihao (four famous literates in the Tang Dynasty (618-907)) Ancient Tombs, Danfeng Huamiao (an ancient palace in Danfeng County)
Tourist Tips: It's quite convenient from Xian to Shangluo. There are national highways linking Xian, Weinan, Xianyang, Shangluo and other provincial cities together. Xian Bus Station near the railway station operates those long-distances buses to Shangzhou in Shangluo. Alternatively visitors can choose to take trains. There are three scheduled trains every day from Xian to Shangluo. Shangluo Bus Station has buses to its cisborder counties.