Changzhi Travel Guide
Changzhi Facts
Chinese Name: 长治 (cháng zhì)
Population: 3,478,000
Area: 13,955 square kilometers (5,388 square miles)
Location: in the southeast of Shanxi Province, north China
Administrative Division: 4 districts (Luzhou, Shangdang, Tunliu, Lucheng); 8 counties (Xiangyuan, Pingshun, Licheng, Huguan, Zhangzi, Wuxiang, Qinxian, Qinyuan);
Area Code: 0355
Zip Code: 046000
GDP (2019): CNY 165.21 billion (USD 23.95 billion)
A Quaint City Highlighting Taihang Mountain Gorges
Changzhi City stands in the southeast of Shanxi Province, neighboring Hebei and Henan provinces to the east. Jincheng and Jinzhong are respectively linked by Changzhi in the south and north ends. Changzhi has the meaning of long-term peace and stability. Once you walk into the city, you can see the Lu’ anfu City God Temple which has been guarding the city for more than 700 years. It features many ancient buildings built in the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1912) which worth taking a closer look. The Shangdang Gate on West Street stands toweringly where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Changzhi. This city also highlights Taihang Mountain Gorges which showcase beautiful scenery composed of forests, cliffs, rivers waterfalls, caves and temples.
Changzhi Attractions - Things to Do
Taihang Mountain Gorges: The scenic area lies in the southeast of Huguan County, boasting the most stunning natural beauty of Changzhi, including imposing peaks, arduous crags, elegant pools and waterfalls, secluded limestone caves and astonishingly shaped rocks, accompanied by moving, time-honored legends. Meanwhile, this is an excellent tourist destination containing profound, accumulated cultural content. For instance, the Zhenze Palace built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) is a well preserved complex of Taoist buildings with its historical and artistic value is widely acknowledged.
Shangdang Gate: Shangdang Gate is in the southeast of city proper, being the office gate of the ancient Shangdang Shire. The present gate tower was rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. In the west and east sides of the gate stand the bell tower and the drum tower. Nowadays, it is seen as a representative building of the city.
Other Scenic Spots: Faxing Temple, Xiantang Mountain, Lingkong Mountain and Huangya Cave
How to Get to Changzhi
1. Changzhi Wangchun Airport is 7 kilometers (3 miles) north of downtown. Routes to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Taiyuan have been opened. Taiyuan can be reached in 30 minutes.
2. Changzhi Passenger Transport Center is situated in the Fuhou Xi Jie, from which buses to Taiyuan will depart every 15 to 30 minutes. From the Taiyuan Long-Distance Bus Station in the east of the Wuyi Square, Yingze Da Jie, visitors can find buses which go to Changzhi. The whole journey will take about three hours.
Weather
The city is situated in the interior of China and belongs to a warm temperate zone. Hence, it has a typical continental monsoon climate. Temperature differences are distinct in each of the four seasons. Winter is dry and summer has more rainfall. The annual average temperature of Changzhi weather is constantly between 5℃ (41℉) and 11℃ (52℉). Spring and autumn are suitable time for sightseeing.
Changzhi Travel Tips
History: Primitive agriculture in this area began extremely long ago. Its old name Shangdang was given during the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC). The name of Chanzhi was given in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) symbolizing long-term peace and stability.
Physical Features: Due to the Taihang Mountains in the east and the Taiyue Mountains in the west, the terrain of the city slopes downward from the eastern and northern parts to the western and southern parts. The central area is comparatively flatter and, is scattered among several basins.
Special Local Products: Shangdang preserved donkey meat, Codonopsis pilosula (panax ginseng)