Xuzhou Attractions
Xuzhou, in the northwest of Jiangsu province, is a major transport center because China's two most important rail routes, the Beijing-Shanghai and Lianyungang-Ürümqi lines, meet here.
During its long history Xuzhou has proved to be a town of great strategic importance. Since the Xia dynasty (21-16 BC) more than 200 wars have been fought here, making the region very interesting from an archaeological point of view. 2000 years ago Xiang Yu crowned himself king of the Western Chu kingdom and made Xuzhou his capital.
Although it became of less importance politically after his death it maintained its role as a river port, and in the 15th and 16th C more than 12,000 ships loaded with corn berthed here every year. In 1604 however, when the Grand Canal closed down, Xuzhou began to decline. In the early 20th C, after the above-mentioned rail routes were opened up, it regained some of its earlier importance. During the latest Civil War (1945-49) one of the three great battles between the Communists and the Kuomintang, in which the latter were defeated, took place in the countryside surrounding Xuzhou.
During its long history Xuzhou has proved to be a town of great strategic importance. Since the Xia dynasty (21-16 BC) more than 200 wars have been fought here, making the region very interesting from an archaeological point of view. 2000 years ago Xiang Yu crowned himself king of the Western Chu kingdom and made Xuzhou his capital.
Although it became of less importance politically after his death it maintained its role as a river port, and in the 15th and 16th C more than 12,000 ships loaded with corn berthed here every year. In 1604 however, when the Grand Canal closed down, Xuzhou began to decline. In the early 20th C, after the above-mentioned rail routes were opened up, it regained some of its earlier importance. During the latest Civil War (1945-49) one of the three great battles between the Communists and the Kuomintang, in which the latter were defeated, took place in the countryside surrounding Xuzhou.
Municipal Museum
In the Municipal Museum Lu wall-paintings from the Han period (206 BC-AD 220) are on display. Other interesting finds include a bronze lamp and a shroud made from pieces of jade.
Temple of Xinghua Si
On the east side of the Yunlongshan river, in the south of the town, stands the Temple of Xinghua Si in which visitors can see statues carved out of the rock in the 5th C.
Xuzhou Surroundings
Huaxing Shimu
In 1952 the Huaxing Shimu, a tomb from the Eastern Han period (AD 25-220) was discovered, 14km/9mi north of the town. Inside it can be seen stone tablets with reliefs which give an insight into the lives of aristocrats of the period.
Tablet of the Great Wind
The Tablet of the Great Wind (Dafeng Bei), measuring 1.7m/5.5ft tall and 1.23m/4ft wide, is displayed in the House of Culture in Peixian - 70km/43.5mi northwest of Xuzhou - the birthplace of Liu Bang, the first emperor of the Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). A poem composed by the emperor was engraved in the stone some 2200 years ago.
At the same place will be found a second stone tablet, 2.23m/7ft 4in. tall and 1.23m/4ft wide, engraved with the same poem but written in a different order. This latter tablet dates from 1306.
At the same place will be found a second stone tablet, 2.23m/7ft 4in. tall and 1.23m/4ft wide, engraved with the same poem but written in a different order. This latter tablet dates from 1306.
