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Huai'an guides

Population: 5,327,700

Area: 10,072 square kilometers (3,889 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 4 districts (Qinghe, Qingpu, Huaiyin, Chuzhou); 4 counties (Lianshui, Hongze, Xuyi, Jinhu)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0517-3605355
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China: 0517-3914421

Location: Huai'an is located in the center of northern Jiangsu Province, with the Huaihe River flowing through its domain. It is bounded on the north by Lianyungang, and neighbors Yangzhou and Anhui Province in the south. The time-horned Grand Canal and the modern Beijing-Shanghai Express meet each other in the city. The forth largest freshwater lake in China, Hongze Lake, is just lies in the west of Huai'an.

History: As early as five or six thousand years ago, people had created their civilization in this region. It had greatly been exploited in its territory before the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC). During the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties, the excavation of the Grand Canal and the flourishing of salt industry north of the Huaihe River greatly promoted the economy of this region, and its bloom still continued until the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties

Physical Features: Located in vast plain area, the terrain of the city is plat. Plains constitute the greater part of the city except for the hilly area in southwest Huai'an. It also has large water area including nine rivers and several lakes.

Climatic Features: Huai'an has the climatic features belonging to the warm temperate and subtropical zones, the boundary of which is the Huaihe River. Therefore, its annual value of solar radiation is greater in northern Huai'an, while the precipitation is just the reverse. At the turn from spring to summer, the plum rain may bright the city heaviest rainfall of a year.

When to Go: Spring and autumn are the beat time to Huai'an. Visitors can escape from the winter chillness and summer heat as well as the rainy season.

Local Highlights: Jiangsu Xuyi Lobster Festival (around July): a grand festive occasion of Jiangsu Province combining delicacies, culture displays, trade talks, tourist activities and folk performances

Special Local Products: Cha San: a kind of snack usually served at tea time, Typha latifolia (Pu Cai, vegetable)

Scenic Spots:
Tieshansi National Forest Park: It is the most well preserved and largest kingdom for wildlife in Jiangsu. The 9-square-kilometer Tianquan Lake and the Xuyi Station of Purple Mountain Observatory are situated in the park. In addition, accommodation is available in the park. Therefore, the park is a perfect destination not only for holidays, but also for ecological and astronomical observations.

Qingyan Garden: Formerly Chengnan (South City) Park, the garden is the only classical garden of a government officer in Qing Dynasty. The Hefang Academy is the most characteristic building in the garden.

Other Scenic Spots: Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall, Zhou Enlai's Former Residence, Zhenhuai Tower

Tourist Tips:
Huai'an Coach Station in Huaihai Road (North) offers buses to Nanjing, Lianyungang and Shanghai every 20 to 30 minutes, respectively taking about 3, 2, and 5 hours.

Hongze Lake is one of the principal freshwater lakes in China, rich in lake products. Transportation around Hongze Lake is convenient. It is 40 minutes' drive from downtown Huai'an, 1.5 hours from Nanjing and 4 hours from Shanghai.

Huai'an is one of the birthplaces of the Eight Cuisines in China, Huaiyang Cuisine (also Jiangsu Cuisine). For visitors visiting there, local dishes and snacks are something indispensable to their journey.

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