Shuozhou Travel Guide

Population: 1,517,300

Area: 10,700 square kilometers (4,131 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 2 districts (Shuocheng, Pinglu); 4 counties (Shanyin, Yingxian, Youyu, Huairen)

Seat of the city government: No.1, Shifu Street (West), Shuocheng District, Shuozhou City

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0349-2022693
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China Shuozhou Branch: No.45, Kaifang Road (South), Shuocheng District, Shuozhou City
China Post Shuozhou Branch: Zhenhua Street (West), Shuocheng District, Shuozhou City

Location: Located in northern Shanxi Province, Shuozhou neighbors Datong in the north and is bounded on the northwest by Inner Mongolia.

History: As early as twenty-eight thousand years ago, human settlers had moved in this area. During the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC), Shuozhou was a part of the Zhao Kingdom. After the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC) unified China, the central government began to establish counties and prefectures to administrate this area. Shuozhou as a municipal city was authorized in 1989.

Physical Features: Basically, Shuozhou belongs to the Loess Plateau. Mountainous and hilly area occupies over sixty percent of the city's entirely territory. No less than one hundred and forty mountain peaks are more than 1,600 meters (5,249 feet) above the sea level. Rivers runs through almost every districts and counties of the city. However, most of these rivers are seasonal in the drainage area of the Yellow River and the Haihe River.

Climatic Features: Bearing a typical continental monsoon climate, the city has an annual average temperature of about 6.5C (43.7F). Shuozhou's winter is very cold, and summer is comparatively cooler.

When to Go: in spring and summer

Special Local Products:
Food: rainbow trout, buckwheat, oatmeal, sea buckthorn juice
Handicraft: flour sculpture, black jade dark porcelain

Scenic Spots:
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda was constructed in the year of 1056 located in the Fogong Temple northwest of Yingxian County. As the oldest and highest extant wooden pagoda in China, it can be a rare treasure in Chinese ancient architecture. Exquisite structure with fine subtle Buddha statues sacrificed inside brings great value on the research of the pagoda in terms of religion and architecture.
Chongfu Temple, commonly known as the Damiao Temple, is seated at East Street in Shuocheng District. It was first built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), being the most intact and largest ancient building complex in Datong and Shuozhou Region.
Other Scenic Spots: Qingliang Mountain, Yanmen Pass, Shahukou

Tourist Tips:
Shuozhou is about two hour's ride from Datong. Visitors can have the aid of Datong Airport in Zaobei Town of Datong County. The most convenient way to the Wooden Pagoda is taking bus from Datong City which is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Yingxian County. Shuozhou's passenger transport bus station opposite to the railway station in southeast of the city proper is the traffic hub of the Shuozhou, operating many interprovincial and intercity bus lines.