Chinese Name: 汉中市 (hàn zhōng shì)

Population: 3,740,000 

Area: 27,246 square kilometers (10,520 square miles) 

Nationalities: Han 

Administrative Division: 1 district (Hantai); 10 counties (Nanzheng, Chenggu, Yangxian, Xixiang, Mianxian, Ningqiang, Lueyang, Zhenba, Liuba, Foping)

Useful Telephone Numbers: Tourist Complaints: 0916-2222504
Weather Forecast: 121
 Zip Code Inquiries: 184
 Bank of China: 0916-2213580

Location: Located in the southwest of Shaanxi Province, Hanzhong lies to the south of the Qinling Mountains to the north of the Daba Mountains (see below) with the Hanzhong Basin in the center. It is bounded on the southwest by Gansu and Sichuan provinces, and adjacent to Xian in the northeast. 

History: Hanzhong gained its name from the Han River. As early as 2,400 years ago, Hanzhong Shire was established by the Qin Kingdom during the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC). It is the birthplace of the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD).

Physical Features: Hanzhong is sandwiched between the Qinling Mountains and Daba Mountains, at the upper reaches of the Han River. The river flows through the city, shaping the Hanzhong Basin in the heart of the city. Mountainous and hilly areas make up the main topography of Hanzhong.    

Climate: Situated in the transition area between warm temperate zone and subtropical zone, Hanzhong has moderate and humid weather without torrid a summer. The winter wind current coming form North China is blocked by the Qinling Mountains, so winter is relatively warmer. The rainy season usually appears during June and lasts until September.
When to Go: Any season is a good season to visit Hanzhong. 

Special Local Products: Xiecun yellow wine and color rice of Yangxian County, Mingmei green tea of Mianxian County

  Attractions:
Ancient Plank Road: Ancient Plank Road refer to the ancient passage built along mountains and cliffs by cutting holes in the cliff and inserting wooden beams, on which planks were laid to make a passage. Wooden railings were erected alongside to ensure the safety of people and horses. Its history can be traced back to the Warring States Periods (476 BC-221 BC). In Qin (221 BC-206 BC) and Han (206BC-220) Dynasties the construction scale was expanded.

A famous old Chinese saying goes, "The way to Sichuan is harder than climbing to the sky". It is not an exaggeration. For thousands of years Qinling Mountain acted as a big barrier, blocking the way from Shaanxi to Sichuan. People worked out that the best way was to build ancient plank roads along the mountains. So today you will find that ninety percent of the plank roads are in the mountainous area in Hanzhong, which is in the south of Shaanxi Province and borders Sichuan Province in the north. However, most of them were burnt in wars or have decayed through the years.

Among the countless ancient plank roads, the Baoxie Plank Road is the most famous with the longest history and largest dimension. The south mouth of the valley was called Bao and the north mouth was called Xie, thus the plank road was named Baoxie. It was 146 miles long. The original one was destroyed, with only the holes left in the mountain. A tunnel, measuring 17.8 yards long and 4.6 yards wide, was regarded as the first traffic tunnel in the world. Inside the tunnel and on the cliff beside Baohe River many famous officials and scholars in ancient times left many autographs and poems. They were later moved for safe-keeping to Hanzhong Museum because of the construction of a dam. In 1996 people restored 656 yards on the old site and added some scenic spots to it, such as Mountain Gate, Fengyu Pavilion, Cuiyun Pavilion and a chain bridge.

Come here and trace the historical footprint! 

Admission Fee:

CNY 10 (Baoxie Plank Road)

Ancient Hantai (Hanzhong Museum): In 206 BC, Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206BC) was overthrown by a peasant revolt. Xiang Yu (a leader of a peasant army), proclaimed himself the ruler of the entire country because he believed that he performed valuable services in the revolt. He appointed Liu Bang  the Han King in Hanzhong area. Liu Bang trained his army and encouraged talented people to join him. In the following years, he eventually defeated Xiang Yu and established the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD).

The Hantai was a rammed earth construction in the style of the Qin royal court. Facing south, the palace mainly consists of three mesas, and rises via steps northwards. The palace is seven-meter (23 feet) high, and covers an area of about 14,000 square meters (3.5 acres).

From the time of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the Hantai was a pleasure ground for governmental offices in Hanzhong. Many complementary buildings were built in the following centuries. The three-storied Wangjiang Tower (Facing River Tower) has become a remarkable architectural display in Hanzhong with its unique style and graceful charm. A magnificent panoramic view of Hanzhong can be seen from this building. To the south, there is a hall where some cherry bays planted in the Han Dynasty fill the air with perfume in autumn. Several delicate pavilions and pools add spice to this majestic palace. The ancient trees are luxuriant; trimmed bamboos dangle in the wind; lotus flowers bloom in the pond; many beautiful flowers and lush grass sprawl all over the Hantai. This elegant and graceful environment brings relaxation and contentment.

The Hanzhong Museum houses about 12,000 cultural relics. It is comprised of six display rooms containing stone inscriptions, excavated cultural relics, ancient paintings and calligraphy, modern history of Hanzhong, ancient fossils and religious statues. One world-famous relic is the inscriptions on the cliffs in the Han Dynasty and Wei Dynasty (220-265). These have great value for the study of the development of transport, irrigation works, science and technology and calligraphic art. It is named as "the Gem of China" and "the Calligraphy Treasury". 

Admission Fee:	CNY 30
Opening Hours:	08:00-18:00
Bus Route:	22

Crested Ibis Nature Reserve: Located in northern Yangxian County, this national nature reserve was established to protect a rare bird, crested ibis from extinction. The reserve has the only rescue and care center for the crested ibis in China. The number of birds has increased from the initial seven ones in the wild to five hundred. 

Other Scenic Spots: Wuhou (Martial Marquis) Tomb

Thanks for the completion of Xian-Hanzhong Expressway, the distance between the two cities is halved, only about three hours needed. Buses to Hanzhong city proper can be found in Xian West Bus Station in No.92, Zaoyuan Road (East). Visitors can get buses to the districts and counties of Hanzhong City from the Xian South Bus Station (Mingdemen Bus Station) in Zhuque Dajie. Terminal in the other end of the Xian-Hanzhong Expressway is the Hanzhong Express Bus Station in Xinqiao Shizi (Intersection).

Travel Tips: Hanzhong Airport is 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) southwest of the city proper, only operating flights between Hanzhong and Xian, taking 40 minutes. A new airport will be built in Mianxian County in the near future. Visitors can get to Xian in about seven hours by train and eight hours by bus.

 Hanzhong Tour Information:
Hiking Tours: Information about hiking in Hanzhong for your reference