Yuncheng Travel Guide
Population: 4,950,000
Area: 14,100 square kilometers (5,444 square miles)
Nationalities: Han
Administrative Division: 1district (Yanhu); 10 counties (Ruicheng, Linyi, Wanrong, Xinjiang, Jishan, Wenxi, Xiaxian, Jiangxian, Pinglu, Yuanqu); 2 county-level cities (Yongji, Hejin)
Seat of the city government: No.248, Hedong Street (East), Yanhu District, Yuncheng City
Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0359-2085615
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China Yuncheng Branch: No.39, Zhongyin Dadao (North), Yanhu District, Yuncheng City
China Post Yuncheng Branch: No.11, Shifu Street, Yanhu District, Yuncheng City
Location: Yuncheng City is located in the southwest of Shanxi Province, neighboring Linfen and Jincheng within the province. It is separated from Shaanxi Province and Henan Province by the Yellow River.
History: Yuncheng is a time-honored city, being one of the oldest birthplaces of Chinese nation. Tracks of human life in this area can be traced back to 1.8 millions years ago. It was the seat of the capital of the first slave dynasty in Chinese history, Xia Dynasty (21st - 16th century BC). In the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), it was administrated under the Hedong Shire. Although administrative divisions in this region altered frequently in the following two thousand odd years, it was habitually referred to as Hedong meaning east of the Yellow River.
Physical Features: The southeast and northwest of Yuncheng are lined with the Zhongtiao Mountain and Emeiling Mountain. Between the two mountains lies the Yuncheng Basin with an average altitude of 350-500 meters (1148-1640 feet). The Yellow River flows along the west and south edges of the city.
Climatic Features: The city enjoying a temperate continental monsoon climate. Average temperature in the coldest January falls between -1 and 6 degree centigrade (30.2 and 42.8 degree Fahrenheit), and that in the hottest July remain between 24 and 28 degree centigrade (75.2 and 82.4 degree Fahrenheit). The frost period may last from mid-October to late March the next year. It is torrid in summer and a bit warmer than other cities in Shanxi in winter.
When to Go: May to October
Special Local Products: Jishan jujube, Wenxi Boiled pancake, Ruicheng sesame flakes, Jishan fried dough twist
Scenic Spots:
Yongle Palace is a grand Taoist temple covering an area of eighty thousand square meters (20 acres). It stands in the Longquan Village 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) north of Ruicheng County. The temple is especially famous for the precious murals of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
Guanque Tower stands in the east bank of the Yellow River, in the ancient town of Puzhou of Yongji Temple. It was first established during 557-580. Due to its delicate structure and superior location, the tower is reputed as one on the four famous ancient towers in China. (The other three are Yellow Crane Tower, Yueyang Pavilion and Tengwang Pavilion)
Catholic Church is a Gothic church built in a high land northwest of the Xinjiang county seat. The church was very famous when it was complete around 1935. It is one of the four extant Gothic churches in China.
Other Scenic Spots: Lishan Scenic Area, Pujiu Temple
Tourist Tips:
Yuncheng Guangong Airport is 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) northeast Yuncheng city proper. So far, it operates flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Taiyuan. Planes to Beijing and Guangzhou are offered every day, and there are two flights to Shanghai, three to Shenzheng and Chengdu, four to Taiyuan every week. Visitors can take bus No.18 from the Nanfeng Square to the airport.
Yuncheng's central bus station has moved to the north outskirt of the city in Shilichangjie which is about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from the downtown area.