Location: Located in the north part of Jiangsu
Province, Suqian is bordered by
Xuzhou and Lianyungang, sharing the fourth largest freshwater
lake in China, Hongze Lake, with Huai'an in the south.
History: Suqian bears a long history. Archeologist
discovered the Xiacaowan Cultural Ruin that human inhabited fifty
thousand years ago, and towns of Suqian began to be built in this
region nearly 2,300 years ago. One of the emperors of Tang Dynasty
(618-907) changed its name from Suyu County to Suqian County in
405.
Physical Features: The general terrain of the
city slopes downward from the northwest to the southeast. Except
small part of low mountainous and hilly areas, majority of its
territory is occupied by plains. Undulant plains, and floodplains
created by rivers are also important components of Suqian's landform.
Climatic Features: Enjoying a warm temperate
monsoon climate, the city has superior light and heat resources.
It has clear four seasons and adequate rainfall, with an annual
average temperature of 14.2
C
(58
F).
Generally, the temperature during a year may range from -8
C
(17.6
F)
to 36.5
C
(97.7
F).
When to Go: every May to October of a year
Special Local product: megranate, crystal hawthorn
pastry, Baji peanut
Scenic
Spots:
Luoma Lake: Situated in the northwest of Suqian
City, Luoma Lake Ranks among the four largest freshwater lakes
of Jiangsu. It covers a total area of 375 square kilometers (145
square miles), dotted by several natural scenic spots and historical
sites.
Qianlong Temporary Palace: This is a well preserved
old building complex in the south bank of the Luoma Lake. It was
first built around 1684, and the Emperor Qianlong of the Qing
Dynasty had been to there three times for worship.
Zhangshan Forest Park: 7 kilometers (4.3 miles)
north of Suqian city proper, the park gets a fine management of
mountain and water landscape.
Tourist Tips:
1. Although Suqian do not have its own airport, it can easily
get the aid of surrounding airport. For example, the city is only
60 kilometers (37 miles) east of the Xuzhou Guanyin Airport and
100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Lianyungang Baitafu Airport.
Nanjing (Lukou)
International Airport is a little bit farer. It is about 260
kilometers (162 miles) south of Suqian. Specially the Xuzhou Guanyin
Airport, it is only forty minutes' drive to downtown Suqian.
2. Suqian passenger transport company in Huangyun Road (West),
west of the city proper, dispatches buses to cities including
Shanghai, Beijing and Nanjing. Generally, visitors can get from
Suqian to Nanjing within three hours, to Xuzhou for about one
hour.