Location: Located in the southwest of Shaanxi
Province, Hanzhong lies on the south of Qinling Mountains,
on the north of Daba Mountain 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 for 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 Mountain, 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 landform of Hanzhong.
Climatic Features: Situated in the transition
area between warm temperate zone and subtropical zone, Hanzhong
has moderate and humid weather without torrid summer. The winter
current coming form North China was blocked by the Qinling Mountain,
so its winter is relatively warmer. The rainy season usually appears
during June to September.
When to Go: It is favorable to visiting Hanzhong
at any seasons.
Special Local Products: Xiecun yellow wine and
color rice of Yangxian County, Mingmei green tea of Mianxian County
Scenic Spots:
Ancient Plank Road: Ancient plank road between
Sichuan and Shaanxi first constructed during the Warring States
Period (476BC-221BC), and expanded in the Qin (221BC-206BC) and
Han (206BC-220AD) dynasties. Ninety percent of the plank road was
built in Hanzhong along the Han River. The most famous section is
the Baoxie Road with the Rock Gate and Shimen Cliffside Inscriptions
in today's Shimen reservoir area.
Crested Ibis Nature Reserve: Located in northern
Yangxian County, this national nature reserve is established to
protect the rare bird, crested ibis, from extinction. It has the
only rescue and care center of Crested Ibis in China. The number
of the bird has increased from the initial seven wild ones to five
hundred.
Other Scenic Spots: Wuhou (Martial Marquis) Tomb,
Ancient Hantai (Hanzhong Museum)
Tourist Tips:
Hanzhong Airport is 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) southwest of the
city proper, only operating flights between Hanzhong and Xian
taking 40 minutes. The new airport will be built in Mianxian County
in the near future. Visitors can get to Xian for about seven hours
by train.
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 North 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).