Situated in the southwest of Henan province, Nanyang City borders
Funiu Mountain to the north, Qinling Mountain to the west and the Han
River to the south. With a population of 10.65 million and an area of
26,600km², it is the largest among 18 cities directly under the
administration of Henan Province. Located in transitional area from
subtropical zone to warm temperate zone, it has a typical semi-humid
continental monsoon climate, which features distinctive seasons, plenty
of sunshine and rainfall.
Nanyang has a long history and resplendent culture. As far back as half
million years ago, Nanzhao ape men lived there. During the Period of
Warring States, it was a famous iron-smelt center and in Western Han
Dynasty, it had become one of the six largest cities in the country,
which thrived as a business centre. Liu Xiu, the later emperor of the
Eastern Han Dynasty, had launched his uprising here. Therefore, it is
called “the southern capital” or “the hometown of the emperor”. Other
celebrities born in Nanyang include Fanli, a great businessman, Zhang
Heng, a scientist, Zhang Zhongjing, the well-known medical sage, Zhuge
Liang, the famous wit master, Peng Xuefeng, a military strategist, Feng
Youlan, a philosopher, Yao Xueyin, a literary giant, Wang Yongmin, an
inventor, Er Yuehe, a writer and so on.
Not only do the beautiful landscapes of Nanyang lie in its culture but
also in its scenery which encompasses features of south and north. For
example, Baotianman Natural Reserve Area (listed in the World Biosphere
Reserves by UNESCO), 400 kilometer long Funiu Mountain, Magic Tongbai
Mountain---the origin of the Huai River, the beautiful Danjiangkou
Reservoir---the largest man-made freshwater lake in Asia and the source
of the Middle Route Project of South-to-North Water Transfer, dinosaur
egg fossils discovered in Nanyang which is hailed as the ninth wonder in
the world, the beautiful Bai River: the mother river of the place,
flowing across the city and forming a shinning water area of over 600
hectares, etc. Besides, Nanyang is a famous historic city in China which
boasts of the places of interest as the Nanyang Art Gallery of Han
Dynasty Paintings, the Ancient Temple of Zhuge Liang, the wit master,
the Zhang Zhongjing Memorial Temple (Yi Sheng Ci) and the Grave of Zhang
Heng.
Local products and specialties include fancy articles burned by iron,
jade carvings, tea made by peanuts and sesames, Nanyang cattle, Cornus
officinalis, magnolia, vegetarian food of Xuanmiao Temple, Zhenping
roast chickens, Bowang pancakes, Jiezhong rice vinegar, Zhenping yellow
wine, Sheqi starch products and kiwi-fruits, etc.
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