Area: 3300sq.km/1275sq.mi. Population: 270,000
Jiuquan is situated on the Silk Route, in the western part of the province of Gansu. It has rail, air and road connections with the remainder of the country.
According to a legend General Huo Qubing (140-117 BC) stopped off here after defeating a northern
steppe people. Jiuquan was founded in 343, although initially it was known as Suzhou. It was a stopping-place on the Silk Route. The town also became important economically because of its rich mineral deposits.