Population: 5,290,000

Area: 8,555 square kilometers (3,303 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 2 districts (Sucheng, Suyu); 3 counties (Shuyang, Siyang, Sihong)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0763-3364098
Tourist Inquiries: 0527-4368039
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China: 0527-4210256

Location: Located in the north part of Jiangsu Province, Suqian is bordered by Xuzhou and Lianyungang, sharing the fourth largest freshwater lake in China, Hongze Lake, with Huai'an in the south.

History: Suqian bears a long history. Archeologist discovered the Xiacaowan Cultural Ruin that human inhabited fifty thousand years ago, and towns of Suqian began to be built in this region nearly 2,300 years ago. One of the emperors of Tang Dynasty (618-907) changed its name from Suyu County to Suqian County in 405.

Physical Features: The general terrain of the city slopes downward from the northwest to the southeast. Except small part of low mountainous and hilly areas, majority of its territory is occupied by plains. Undulant plains, and floodplains created by rivers are also important components of Suqian's landform.

Climatic Features: Enjoying a warm temperate monsoon climate, the city has superior light and heat resources. It has clear four seasons and adequate rainfall, with an annual average temperature of 14.2¡æ (58F). Generally, the temperature during a year may range from -8¡æ (17.6F) to 36.5¡æ (97.7F).

When to Go: every May to October of a year

Special Local product: megranate, crystal hawthorn pastry, Baji peanut

Scenic Spots:
Luoma Lake: Situated in the northwest of Suqian City, Luoma Lake Ranks among the four largest freshwater lakes of Jiangsu. It covers a total area of 375 square kilometers (145 square miles), dotted by several natural scenic spots and historical sites.
Qianlong Temporary Palace: This is a well preserved old building complex in the south bank of the Luoma Lake. It was first built around 1684, and the Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty had been to there three times for worship.
Zhangshan Forest Park: 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) north of Suqian city proper, the park gets a fine management of mountain and water landscape.

Tourist Tips:
1. Although Suqian do not have its own airport, it can easily get the aid of surrounding airport. For example, the city is only 60 kilometers (37 miles) east of the Xuzhou Guanyin Airport and 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Lianyungang Baitafu Airport. Nanjing (Lukou) International Airport is a little bit farer. It is about 260 kilometers (162 miles) south of Suqian. Specially the Xuzhou Guanyin Airport, it is only forty minutes' drive to downtown Suqian.
2. Suqian passenger transport company in Huangyun Road (West), west of the city proper, dispatches buses to cities including Shanghai, Beijing and Nanjing. Generally, visitors can get from Suqian to Nanjing within three hours, to Xuzhou for about one hour.