Zaozhuang Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 枣庄 (zǎo zhuāng)
Population: 3,927,300
Area: 4,564 square kilometers (1,762 square miles)
Location: in the south of Shandong Province, east China
Administrative Division: 5 districts (Shizhong, Xuecheng, Yicheng, Tai' erzhuang, Shanting); 1 county-level city (Tengzhou)
Area Code: 0632
Zip Code: 277100
GDP (2019): CNY 169.391 billion (USD 24.553 billion)

Located in the south of Shandong, Zaozhuang is neighbor to Linyi, Jining and Tongshan, Pizhou counties of Jiangsu Province. The quaint Zaozhuang magically presents a scene of a water town in the south China. The middle section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal has flowed through Tai’ erzhuang and a village was formed. There are various architectural styles in the village, including traditional residences in southern Shandong, northern courtyards, Hui-style architecture and Hakka architecture. At night, the ancient city is shining under the light.

This city is also a famous site where the Battle of Tai’erzhuang occurred during the Sino-Japanese War, a witness to the first major victory of the Chinese army. The victory of the Battle of Tai’erzhuang proved that the Japanese military was not invincible as they claimed, while for Chinese, the battle greatly encouraged the morale of the Chinese army. The battle scene at the time was vividly displayed in the Tai’ erhchuang Campaign Memorial Hall. In addition, Zaozhuang also has many natural attractions such as forest parks, geo-parks, and China's largest pomegranates orchard.

Located in Xuecheng District, it is composed of two parts: Railway Guerilla Monument and Railway Guerilla Memorial Garden. It is among the 100 key red tourism sites in China.

 Tai'er zhuang Battle Sites

Located in Tai'erzhuang District, it is restored on the site where the famous battle happened. The memorial hall shows films, photos and other battle material which reappear the scene of the battle.

 Wanmu Megranates Orchard

Located in the Yicheng District, it is China's largest megranates orchard with 100 thousand mu (about 26 square miles) area. The ancient sites including temples and pavilions add more cultural flavor there.

 Other Spots: Xiong'er Mountain National Geologic Park, Baodugu National Forest Park, Red Chinese Dates Orchards in Shanting District, Mozi Memorial Hall
 

It belongs to the warm temperate monsoon climate zone. It is mild with four distinctive seasons. Winter is dry and cold while summer is rainy and hot. April and May are the rainy season. The annual average temperature of Zaozhuang weather is about 15C (59F). Spring and autumn are best time to visit this place, especially when the Pear Flower Festival is held on March 12th in Chinese lunar calendar. 

 History: This area belonged to the Chu State in the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC). During the following dynasties, it was divided into several parts belonging to different states. In the Three Kingdom Period (220-280), it was combined and controlled by the Wei State. After 550, Zaozhuang was divided into two counties in the north and south which were finally called Tengxian and Yixian after PRC was established. In 1960, Yixian was changed into a county-level city Zaozhuang, which then became a prefecture-level city in 1961. Tengxian was turned over to Zaozhuang in 1978.

 Physical Features: The region is mainly covered with low mountains and hills. It is high in the north and east while low in the south and west. Several plains are among the hills. The west part along lakes and the south part along the Grand Canal are low and marshy ground.

 Local Highlights: The city is the hometown of a famous Chinese philosopher Mozi of the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC). Mozi's influential work 'Mohist Canon' enlightened the following generations greatly. It is also a revolutionary base of Chinese Anti-Japanese War. It is where the railway guerilla was organized. Tai'erzhuang Battle in 1938 was an important turning point of Chinese Anti-Japanese War. In addition, the place also boasts of its Chinese dates and megranates. It has the largest megranates orchard in the country.

 Special Local Products: Chinese dates and megranates