Population: 5,290,000

Area: 20,249 square kilometers (7,818 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 2 districts (Fucheng, Youxian); 5 counties (Santai, Yanting, Anxian, Zitong, Pingwu); 1 autonomous county (Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County); 1 county-level city (Jiangyou)

Seat of the city government: No.74, east section Linyuan Road, Fucheng District, Mianyang City

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0816-96927
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Bank of China Mianyang Branch: No.46, Fucheng Road, Fucheng District, Mianyang City

China Post Mianyang Branch: No.48, west section of Linyuan Road, Fucheng District, Mianyang City

Location: Mianyang is located in the northwest of Sichuan Province on the middle and upper reaches of the Fujiang River. It neighbors Nanchong, Suining, Deyang and Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture within the province, and is bordered by Gansu Province in the north.

History: Mianyang, called Fujun in ancient times, had been advanced in agriculture during the Qin (221BC-206BC) and Han (206BC-220AD) dynasties. It has a history over 2,200 thousand years since the Emperor Gaozu of Han established the first county in this area in 201BC. For the advantageous geographic location, it had always been a town of great military importance as a natural defence for Chengdu.

Physical Features: Northern Mianyang is situated in the northwestern edge of Sichuan Basin. The terrain of the city slops downward from northwest to southeast. The northwestern mountainous area occupies over sixty percent of the city's territory, and the ratio of plain and hill is respectively 22 and 16 percent.

Climatic Features: Mianyang bears a subtropical monsoon climate, and the weather is relatively moderate with an annual average temperature of 19-21¡æ (66.2-69.8F). Mianyang also has four distinct seasons, but winter is comparatively warmer.

When to Go: Mianyang is favorable for visiting all the year round, especially in May and October.

Local Highlights: Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County and Pingwu County in western Mianyang is closely connected with Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous County. Within the two counties, there are many Tibetan and Qiang towns with strong local ethnic flavor.

Special Local Delicacies: Guoguodian steamed stuffed bun, Xi Liang Fen (cold jelly), Guan Guan Tang (pot soup), Cai Dou Hua (tender bean curd with special sauce), Pian Fen (noodles made of mung bean) and crisp cake of Zitong County

Scenic Spots:
Wanglang National Nature Reserve: Located in the northwestern corner of Pingwu County, Wanglang boasts intact ecological environment with well preserved alpine virgin forest, and it is the habitat for one eighth of the total giant pandas in Sichuan. It neighbors Baima Tibetan Area in the southeast and is separated by a mountain with Jiuzhaigou.
Other Scenic Spots: Xiaozhaigou Nature Reserve, Doutuan Mountain, Yuanwang (Ape King) Cave

Tourist Tips:
Mianyang Nanjiao Airport is seated in southern outskirt of Mianyang city proper, operating flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Bus No.48 will get to the airport from downtown Mianyang. Mianyang central bus station is in located in the West Gate of Mianyang City, at the juncture of Mianyang Railway Station and Jichang Dadao. Apart from this bus station, Pingzheng, nanfu and Fule are all the principal stations of the city. Buses to Jiuzhaigou can be found in Pingzheng bus station.