Hezhou is in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It
is about over 440 kilometers (about 273 miles) or about 8
hours' drive from Nanning, the capital city of Guangxi. Hezhou
City covers a total area of 11855 square kilometers (1185500
hectares), with a population of 2.1 million. The central city of
Hezhou covers an area of 15 square kilometers (1500 hectares), with
a population of more than 100 thousand. The area code of Hezhou is
0774, the postal code 542800.
Hezhou city has beautiful natural landscapes and a long history.
Many ethnic groups live together here. Tourists can enjoy quiet rural scenes, vast primeval forests and
natural reserves which can be called natural zoo and botanical garden. Beautiful
sceneries, like hot springs and waterfalls, can be seen everywhere.
Besides, there are also cultural sights like Huangyao Ancient Town
which is a combination of stalactites caves, charming rural scenes
and historical heritage of Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, Wen Ming
Pavilion, Ancient banyan tree with a history of a thousand years
and so on. It is worth mentioning that He Street Ancient Town,
ancient tower, beautiful Fushan Temple, Stone City and unique
buildings called Weiwu of the Hakkas which are all standing in the
river are quite attractive and famous as well.
Hezhou is also a city where different ethnic groups inhabit
together. Cultures, manners and customs of Tu People and Yao People are
especially unique and charming. Festivals and celebrations of different ethnic groups such as
Fushan Songs Festival, Fireworks Festival, Lantern Festival in
Fuyang Street etc. all show the folk-customs, long history and rich
culture of Hezhou.
History
Hezhou has a long history. In 111 B.C., during the reign of Emperor
Wudi of the Han Dynasty, Hexian County was established here. In the
fifth year of Huangwu of Wu Kingdom during the period of the Three
Kingdoms (226 A.D.), Linhe Couty was established here. In the Sui
Dynasty (581 A.D. – 618 A.D.), Linhe County was changed to Hezhou
Prefecture. Till now, Hezhou has a history of 2100 years.
Culture of the Central Plains (comprising the middle and lower
reaches of the Huanghe River), culture of Baiyue People and culture
of Xiang and Chu (culture of Hunan and Hubei) gather here. As early
as the Ming and Qing dynasties, Hezhou had been the commodity
distributing center of three provinces (or region): Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region, Hunan Province and Guangdong Province. The
unique history and culture have brought Hezhou a large number
of historical sites..