Yangzhou

Yangzhou, a famous city in Jiangsu Province with a population of 300, 000,is situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River.

The history of the city can be traced back to the 4th century BC when it was part of the State of Wu. In 605 AD, Yangzhou became the Southern Capital of the Sui Dynasty. With the completion of the Grand Canal, which flows through the center of the city into the Yangtze River, Yangzhou became a hub of transportation between south and north China and an important port for foreign trade. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Yangzhou was the center of the salt trade. The salt merchants accumulated incredible wealth and, between the 16th and 18th centuries, acted as patrons, so that Yangzhou developed into a cultural center. In 1853, the Taiping Heavenly Uprising Troops occupied the city. During heavy fighting, many historically significant buildings were destroyed. The Grand Canal floods in 1855 were a large-scale catastrophe which resulted in the shipping of all Beijing-bound grain by sea from Shanghai to Tianjin.

After 1949, Yangzhou became an important land and water traffic junction in the northern part of the province. Arts and crafts are of special significance in Yangzhou. Among these are the traditional lacquer ware, jade carvings, silhouettes, embroidery and printing. The lacquered works of Yangzhou have a tradition of more than2, 000 years. The golden age of this trade was as early as the Han Dynasty. The art of jade carving does not go back that far, in Yangzhou it did not reach its peak until the Tang Dynasty. The people of Yangzhou are known in China as the "masters of three knives," mainly for their skills as cooks, barbers and pedicurists.

Yangzhou is one of the 36 historical and cultural cities protected by the State Council. It is one of China's nicest cities, with much old Chinese architecture and a relaxed atmosphere. All new buildings must be in traditional Chinese styles including industries in the suburbs.