Binzhou Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 滨州 (bīn zhōu)
Population: 3,922,500
Area: 9,453 square kilometers (3,650 square miles)
Location: in the north of Shandong Province, east China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Bincheng, Zhanhua); 5 counties (Huimin, Yangxin, Wudi, Boxing, Zouping)  
Area Code: 0543
Zip Code: 256600
GDP (2019): CNY 245.719 billion (USD 35.617 billion)  

Binzhou City is situated in the north of Shandong Province on the southwest shoal of Bohai Bay. It borders Dongying to the east and Zibo to the south; to the west, it is in the neighborhood of Dezhou. Bainzhou is about 152 kilometers (94 miles) away from Jinan, the capital city of the province. In the northwest, the city is separated from Henan by a river. Binzhou has numerous sea salt, oil and large natural gas reserves.

What makes it widely-known is that it is the hometown of Sun Tzu, a great military strategist in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC). Sun Tzu's Art of War, a book on military strategy, has been translated into many languages including English, Japanese, German and French. There is the Old Garden of Sunzi introducing Sun Tzu and the essence of the book. By the way, you can visit the nearby Weiji Ancient Village where you can taste local snacks, watch traditional flour, pickles and vinegar production techniques, as well as buy local handcrafts such as clay figurines, paper cuttings and woodcuts.

 The Wei's Manor: It is the largest and best-preserved castle-style residential house in China, built during 1890-1893 of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It stands in Huimin County, 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of the county seat. 

 The Old Garden of Sunzi: Covering 43 thousand square meters (about 11 acres), the garden commemorates the greatest militarist and the forefather of strategics in Chinese history, Sunzi. Sunzi who was born in the Qi State of the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC), wrote the most distinguished book of tactics, Art of War (Sunzi Bingfa). 

 Other Scenic Spots: Heban Mountain, Xingguo Temple, Mada Lake

There is no airport in Binzhou, but the city is only one hour's drive from Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport and three hours from the harbor city, Qingdao. Additionally, the Yellow River Bridge is the most important access linking the city with Jiangsu, Beijing and Tianjin. Binzhou Bus Station is at the junction of the 2nd Yellow River Road and the 20th Bohai Road. City bus No 9, 10, 16, 27, 28 and 107 reach the station.

The region enjoys a warm temperate continental monsoon climate when the weather is humid. It is chilly in winter and torrid in summer. Binzhou weather has four clear seasons with the annual average temperature falling at around 12.1C-13.1C (53.8 F-55.6 F). Except for during the chilly winter, this place is favorable for visiting.

 History: Pucheng Kingdom was established in Binzhou during the Shang Dynasty (16th – 11th century BC). Since the Sin Dynasty, there have been county, shire, vassal state and prefectures set up successively in this area.

 Physical Features: The terrain of the city is higher in the south and lower in the north, gradually declining toward the northeast region into the Bohai Sea. With the Xiaoqing River as a limit, a low mountainous and hilly area lies to the south, with alluvial plains in the north.

 Special Local Products: winter jujube, gold thread jujube, pears, peaches, Lucerne, apricots, sea food