Xuchang Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 许昌市 (xǔ chāng shì)
Population: 4,982,400
Area: 4,996 square kilometers (1,929 square miles)
Location: in the central area of Henan Province, east-central China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Weidu, Jian' an); 2 counties (Yanling, Xiangcheng); 2 county-level cities (Yuzhou, Changge)
Area Code: 0374
Zip Code: 461000
GDP (2018): CNY 283.06 billion (USD 42.78 billion)

The city is situated in the center of Henan Province, neighboring Zhoukou to the east, Pingdingshan to the west and Luohe to the south. The capital city of the province, Zhengzhou lies 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the city. Xuchang is 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport. As the Xuchang Terminal was finished, it is convenient for people to transfer in the Xinzheng Airport. Xuchang is known as a China hair factory. At present, there are 300,000 people engaged in wig business in Xuchang City, and more than 300 kinds of hair products sell well in more than 120 countries and regions around the world.

During the Three Kingdoms (220 - 280), the Kingdom of Wei (220 - 265) once set its capital in Xuchang, so a large number of relevant scenic spots have been preserved such as the Spring and Autumn Tower (Chunqiu Lou) and Prime Minister Cao’s Government Office. Besides, visitors can learn the history and knowledge of Jun porcelain which is one of the five famous porcelains in ancient China, belonging to the northern celadon. But different from the common celadon with pure color, Jun porcelain presents purple, red, blue, white and other colors after firing, very gorgeous and beautiful. 

Caopi ascended the throne as the head of the Wei Kingdom in this city in 220. The city has abundant historic relics of the Three Kingdom Period. The Spring and Autumn Tower is a Ming and Qing style building complex located in the middle section of the Wenmiao Qian Jie in city downtown area. It was first built during the year of 1271 for the glorious general Guanyu of the Shu Kingdom.

30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Yuzhou City, the Shenhou Town was the birthplace of the Jun porcelain and is a principal porcelain producing area in North China. At present, in Yuzhou Museum of the Jun Official Kiln Site in the north section of the Guanyao Lu and the Jun porcelain street, visitors will learn more about Jun porcelain and its history.

Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport is only 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Xuchang. The railway station of this city is in Yingchang Lu, in the southwest corner of the intersection of Yingchang Lu and Qiyi Lu. The bus station is conveniently located in the northeast of the railway station. 

Thanks for the completion of Yuzhou-Dengfeng Expressway that makes it accessible to get to the Shaolin Temple of Mt. Songshan from Yuzhou City in one hour.

Xuchang enjoys a warm temperate continental monsoon climate with an annual average temperature of 15.2 degree centigrade (59.4 degree Fahrenheit). It has clear four seasons, rich sunlight and moderate rainfall.

 When to Go: Spring is suggested to be the best season to visit the city.

 History: Xuchang was in the central region of the Xia Dynasty (21st - 16th century BC), and it was also the headstream of the ancient Xu Kingdom in Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC - 771 BC) and the Wei Kingdom in the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). The name of Xuchang initiated in 221 when the city was under the reign of the Wei Kingdom. 

 Physical Features: Located in the transition area from the offshoots of Funiu Mountain to Yudong (East Henan) Plain, the terrain of the city generally declines in order from the western mountainous and hilly area to central mound area and eastern alluvial plain with the plains occupying seventy percent of the entire city land.

 Special Local Products: Jun porcelain, tobacco leaves

 Local Highlights: Xuchang is considered to be the capital of Jun porcelain and flowers. Jun Kiln in Yuzhou is listed in the five famous kilns in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and the Jun porcelain began in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and became prosperous in the Song Dynasty. In the following dynasties, Jun porcelain could only be used by royalty. In addition, Yanling County of Xuchang has a long history of flower planting that can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. Today, Yanling is still a notable flower base in China.