Chinese Name: Xinyang City (xn yng sh)

Population: 7,800,000

Area: 18,819 square kilometers (7,266 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 2 districts (Shihe, Pingqiao); 8 counties (Xixian, Huaibin, Huangchuan, Guangshan, Gushi, Shangcheng, Luoshan, Xinxian)

Seat of the City Government: No.260, Dongfanghong Lu, Shihe District, Xinyang City

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints:0376-6207709
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Bank of China Xinyang Branch: No.158, Dongfanghong Lu, Shihe District, Xinyang City

China Post Xinyang Branch: No.242, Dongfanghong Lu, Shihe District, Xinyang City

Location: In southern Henan Province, Xinyang City neighbors Anhui in the east and Hubei in the south. It is seated between the north foot of Dabie Mountains (in the southern) and the upper reaches of the Huaihe River (in the northern).

History: Xinyang is one of the origins of Chinese civilization with more than 8,000 years of history. During the Xia (21st - 16th century BC) and Shang (16th - 11th century BC) dynasties, it consisted of many vassal states. It had become a vital grain base for the country during the middle period of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and later developed into a wealthy city in Central China.

Physical Features: The terrain of Xinyang declines from its south to the north. Its west and south regions are mountainous formed by Tongbai Mountain and Dabie Mountains. Hills predominate the centre of the city, while the northern region of the city is consists of plains and depressions.

Climatic Features:Xinyang is located in the transitional area between subtropical and warm temperate zones. Weather there is humid and moderate. It has enough sunshine, abundant rainfall and four clear seasons. Xinyang's winter is long, but the chilly period is short. Usually, its annual average temperature is no less than 15¡æ (59F).

When to Go: April and October are the best periods to visit Xinyang. The most popular scenic area, Jigong Mountain, is favorable from April to November.

Special Local Products:Xinyang Maojian Tea, chestnut, Chinese gooseberry, ginkgo, willow knitting, and ox horn handicrafts.

Attractions:
Jigong Mountain is an offshoot of the Dabie Mountains in the area that borders southern Xinyang and Hubei Province. Baoxiao (Crowing) Peak, the main peak of the mountain can be seen from afar much like a cock that announces the rise of dawn, and hence the mountain and the peak gain their names. As a natural land of plant and animals, the nature reserve is also one of the top four summer resorts in China.

Lingshan Mountain in Luoshan County is a Buddhist shrine of great fame in China. There are in total seven temples and three nunneries in the mountain. Lingshan Temple was first built in the Tang Dynasty, reputed as an ode to the four largest ancient temples in Central China. The temple is peculiar in that there are both monks and nuns. Even a princess of the Tang Dynasty took the tonsure in the temple and had her hair shorn.

Tangquan Chi is a beautiful hot spring resort located 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of Shangcheng county seat. The pool has eight mouths of springs. Setting perfectly off with the wonderful sceneries surrounded, it is absolutely a perfect destination for leisure.

Other Scenic Spots: Nanwan Lake

Travel Tips:
Xinyang is the south gate of Henan Province. Beijing-Guangzhou Railway runs across from north to south. No.107 and 312 national highways intersects through the city and allows visitors to reach Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Hefei, Nanyang and several other cities. Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan is only three hours' drive away while Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province, is about four hours away. Xinyang Bus Station is situated on Renmin Lu, adjacent to the railway station. It is the main bus station provides local buses and bus lines to other towns and cities.