Guangyuan

Formerly known as Lizhou (利州, or Li prefecture), Guangyuan was the birthplace of Wu Zetian, the only woman in Chinese history to rule directly as emperor.^[6]

On 12 May 2008, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake occurred. 4,822 people were killed, 28,245 injured, and 125 missing in the city as of 7 June 2008.^[7]

Guangyuan's economy is based on a diverse array of heavy industry, as well as mining and agriculture.^{[citation needed]} Plant 821, a former large plutonium producing reactor, now used to process nuclear waste, is located near Guangyuan.^[8] The city is an important production center for traditional Chinese medicine.^[9]

As of March 2024, Guangyuan City has jurisdiction over 3 districts and 4 counties.^[10]

Map
Lizhou Zhaohua Chaotian Wangcang County Qingchuan County Jiange County Cangxi County
Name	Hanzi	Hanyu Pinyin	Population (2010)	Area (km2)	Density (/km2)
Lizhou District	利州区	Lìzhōu Qū	516,424	1,482	348
Zhaohua District	昭化区	Zhāohuà Qū	168,489	1,435	117
Chaotian District	朝天区	Cháotiān Qū	174,333	1,618	108
Wangcang County	旺苍县	Wàngcāng Xiàn	385,787	2,976	130
Qingchuan County	青川县	Qīngchuān Xiàn	222,253	3,269	68
Jiange County	剑阁县	Jiàngé Xiàn	457,656	3,204	142
Cangxi County	苍溪县	Cāngxī Xiàn	559,181	2,330	240

Guangyuan has a subtropical humid monsoon climate with distinct four seasons, abundant rainfall, mild and humid weather, with an average annual rainfall of about 900 mm and an average annual temperature of 16.1 °C.^[11] It has the characteristics of large regional differences, significant three-dimensional climate, and prominent seasonal changes.^[12]

Located roughly between the provincial capitals Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou, Xi'an, Guangyuan is an important traffic hub in northern Sichuan.^[17] The city has a port on the Jialing River, which is the closest inland port to Northwest China, and navigable all the way the east coast.^[18]

• China National Highway 212
• G5 Beijing–Kunming Expressway
• G5012 Enguang Expressway
• G75 Lanzhou–Haikou Expressway
• Baoji–Chengdu railway (part of the main route from Chengdu to Xi'an and Beijing)
• Xi'an–Chengdu high-speed railway (completed in December 2017)
• Lanzhou–Chongqing high-speed railway It is a north–south railway trunk line starting from Lanzhou in the north and ending in Chongqing in the south, passing through cities such as Lanzhou, Dingxi, Longnan, Tongnan, Tongliang, and Chongqing. The total length of the line is about 800 kilometers.^[19]
• Guangyuan Panlong Airport Its geographical coordinates are 32°23'28"N 105°42'07"E.^[20]

Guangyuan has a history of over 2,300 years. Since ancient times, it has been an important gateway to Sichuan, the former territory of the State of Ju, a strategic pass into Shu, a key town during the Three Kingdoms period, the hometown of Empress Wu Zetian, and an important part of the Sichuan–Shaanxi revolutionary base. Today, it is a popular tourist city in Sichuan Province. Guangyuan has received numerous honors, including being recognized as a Demonstration Zone for the Integration of Agriculture, Science, and Education, a National Garden City, a National Hygienic City, an Outstanding Chinese Tourist City, a New-Type Industrialization Base, and the “Hometown of Hot Springs in China.” The city is home to 9 national nature reserves, 18 provincial nature reserves, 8 national cultural heritage sites, and 17 provincial cultural heritage sites, making its tourism resources highly concentrated.^[21] Its famous tourist attractions include:

Jianmen Pass Scenic Area, located on the northern edge of the Sichuan Basin, is a famous natural mountain pass in China, named for its cliffs resembling swords and walls facing each other like a gate. During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, chancellor of Shu, built plank roads and set up guards here, calling it "Jian'ge." The Tang poet Li Bai praised it in Shu Dao Nan with the line, "One man guards the pass, ten thousand cannot open it," which made Jianmen Pass widely renowned. It was listed as one of the first national key scenic spots in 1982, designated a National AAAA-level scenic area in 2010, and included in the national 5A-level tourist attractions in 2015.^[22]

Thousand-Buddha cliff statue，The Thousand-Buddha Cliff was first carved in the late Northern Wei period and reached its peak during the Tang dynasty. It now preserves around 950 niches and more than 7,000 statues, and has been listed as a Major National Historical and Cultural Site. Centered on the Dayun Grotto, the statues are densely arranged like a honeycomb, rising up to thirteen levels, reflecting the artistic style of Tang dynasty Buddhism. The site is designated as a National 4A-level tourist attraction.^[23]

Zhaohua Ancient Town, located in Zhaohua District, Guangyuan, Sichuan Province, is a National AAAA-level tourist attraction. It preserves numerous relics from the Three Kingdoms period and is regarded as one of the better-preserved ancient towns from that era, with historical and cultural significance as well as natural landscapes.^[24]

Qingxi Ancient Town was established during the Three Kingdoms period and retains Ming dynasty city walls and buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was an important pass on the Yinping Ancient Road, with preserved wengcheng-style gates and stone-paved streets. In 2013, it was designated a National 4A-level tourist attraction, and in 2020, it was included among Sichuan’s cultural tourism characteristic towns.^[25]

Guangyuan is known for Wangcang noodles.^{[26][dead link]}

Guangyuan walnut shortbread is a crunchy pastry made with walnuts. It tastes sweet and fragrant.^[27]

Guangyuan-style doufunao is usually savory. It contains coriander, peanuts and chili oil, and has a unique flavor.^[28]