Suqian Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 宿迁 (sù qiān)
Population: 5,916,000
Area: 8,555 square kilometers (3,303 square miles)
Location: in the north of Jiangsu Province, east China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Sucheng, Suyu); 3 counties (Shuyang, Siyang, Sihong)
Area Code: 0527
Zip Code: 223800
GDP (2019): CNY 309.923 billion (USD 44.923 billion)

Located in the north part of Jiangsu Province, Suqian is bordered by Xuzhou and Lianyungang, sharing the fourth largest freshwater lake in China, Hongze Lake, with Huai'an to the south. Suqian once severed as Emperor Qianlong’s stopover place for five times during his six adventures to southern China and its beautiful scenery was greatly praised by the emperor. The palace in which the emperor once stayed is located on the bank of Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and preserved well with convenient transportation and many scenic spots around including Luoma Lake. Suqian also has many parks, tourist resorts and historical sites.

Xiangyu, a Chinses hero in the late Qin Dynasty (221 BC- 207 BC), was born in Suqian. He launched an uprising and then established his own kingdom. Now, visitors can know his stories while enjoying ancient buildings in the Xiangyu Hometown Scenic Area. With a long history of brewing, Suqian produces high-quality liquor. Yanghe Daqu and Shuanggou Daqu are famous liquor brands in Suqian.

 Luoma Lake: Situated in the northwest of the city, Luoma Lake Ranks among the four largest freshwater lakes of Jiangsu. It covers a total area of 375 square kilometers (145 square miles), dotted by several natural scenic spots and historical sites. 

 Qianlong Temporary Palace: This is a well preserved old building complex in the south bank of the Luoma Lake. It was first built around 1684, and the Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty had been to there three times for worship. 

 Zhangshan Forest Park: 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) north of the city proper, the park gets a fine management of mountain and water landscape.

1. Although Suqian does not have its own airport, visitors can easily get the aid of surrounding airport. For example, the city is only 60 kilometers (37 miles) east of the Xuzhou Guanyin Airport and 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Lianyungang Baitafu Airport. Nanjing (Lukou) International Airport is a little bit farer. It is about 260 kilometers (162 miles) south of the city. Specially the Xuzhou Guanyin Airport, it is only forty minutes' drive to downtown Suqian.

2. Suqian passenger transport company in Huangyun Road (West), west of the city proper, dispatches buses to cities including Shanghai, Beijing and Nanjing. Generally, visitors can get from Suqian to Nanjing within three hours, to Xuzhou for about one hour. Enjoying a warm temperate monsoon climate, Suqian has superior light and heat resources. It has clear four seasons and adequate rainfall, with an annual average temperature of 14.2°C (58°F). Generally, the temperature during a year may range from -8°C (17.6°F) to 36.5°C (97.7°F).

 When to Go: every May to October of a year

 History: The region bears a long history. Archeologist discovered the Xiacaowan Cultural Ruin that human inhabited fifty thousand years ago, and towns of Suqian began to be built in this region nearly 2,300 years ago. One of the emperors of Tang Dynasty (618-907) changed its name from Suyu County to Suqian County in 405.

 Physical Features: The general terrain of the city slopes downward from the northwest to the southeast. Except small part of low mountainous and hilly areas, majority of its territory is occupied by plains. Undulant plains, and floodplains created by rivers are also important components of Suqian's landform.

 Special Local product: megranate, crystal hawthorn pastry, Baji peanut