Chinese Name: zhou kou (zhu ku sh)

Population: 10,750,000

Area: 11,968 square kilometers (4,621 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division:1 district (Chuanhui); 8 counties (Fugou, Xihua, Shangshui, Taikang, Luyi, Dancheng, Huaiyang, Shenqiu); 1 county-level city (Xiangcheng)

Seat of the City Government: Middle section of Qiyi Lu, Chuanhui District, Zhoukou City

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints:0394-8221411
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Bank of China Zhoukou Branch: Middle section of Bayi Lu, Chuanhui District, Zhoukou City

China Post Zhoukou Branch: No.43, middle section of Qiyi Lu, Chuanhui District, Zhoukou City

Location:Situated in the southeast of Henan Province, Zhoukou City neighbors Luohe and Xuchang in the west, Zhumadian in the south, and Kaifeng and Shangqiu in the north. It also shares a boundary with Anhui Province in the east.

History: Zhoukou has more than six thousand years of brilliant history. It was known as Chen in remote ages, and the Chu State in the late Warring States Period (476BC-221BC) made it the capital. It was rich and prosperous in the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) as the manor of princes.

Physical Features: Zhoukou belongs to the Huanghuai Plain with its flat and broad land. The terrain slopes gently from the northwest to the southeast.

Climatic Features:The city enjoys a warm, temperate, continental monsoon climate with an annual average temperature of 15¡æ (59F). It has four distinct seasons. Spring is windy, and the temperature varies greatly during the day and night. Summer is hot and rainy, while the winter is chilly and dry.

When to Go: Visitors can get to Zhoukou in spring and autumn. Autumn is indeed the best season to visit Zhoukou, not only for moderate sunny weather, but also for delicious fruits and melons that have just appeared on the market.

Special Local Products:melon, nectarine, plum, apricot, Guangtang sesame flake

Attractions:
Temple of Guan Yu (Guandi Temple), originally Shanshan (Shanxi and Shaanxi) Guild Hall, was first built in 1693. Having been expanded and constructed several times, the compound now occupies an area of 12,590 square meters (about 3.1 acres). It is reputed as the top scenic spot in Zhoukou, being a witness to the boom and splendor of commerce in former days.

Fuxi Taihao Mausoleum was built for one of the mythological sage rulers, three august ones and five emperors in Chinese history as early as in the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC). It was constantly expanded after the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. The mausoleum is similar in structure to the imperial palace of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Taiqing Palaceis located 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) east of Luyi county seat. It is the birthplace of the founder of Taoism, Lao Tse. This memorial temple was first built in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220).

Travel Tips:
1. Zhoukou can be connected with the Beijing-Guangzhou and Beijing-Kowloon railway lines through the Luohe-Fuyang Railway. Additionally, there are four expressways which meet in Zhoukou, from where travelers can get to Nanjing, Luoyang, Shenzhen, Shangqiu, Xuchang and Bozhou.

2. Zhoukou City Central Bus Station: middle section of Jiaotong Lu, Chuanhui District

3. Zhoukou City Hehua Bus Station: No.153, Zhongzhou Lu, Chuanhui District