ＬＩＵ　ＨＵＡＮＺＨＩ

JIAOZUO in Henan Province, a place known as “Coal City,” has been transformed from a drab and foggy convenience to todays civic emerald. The Taihang Mountains anchor and the Yellow River meanders, fusing with Jiaozuos historic culture and making this city, among all the former resource-based cities in China, an especially good model of successful transition to an information-age economy.

Jiaozuo was called Shanyang and Huaizhou in ancient times. In recent years, it has been taking its eco-consciousness to the bank. By utilizing its abundant natural and human resources, the city has switched to a strategy of tourism-based economic development. By establishing five nature reserves and 10 scenic spots, it positions itself as an eye-catching destination year round – colorful wild flowers in spring, elegant mountain views and waterfalls in summer, red leaves in autumn, and elegant icicles in winter. In 2006, Jiaozuo received the World Outstanding Tourism Service award from the Secretariat of World Tourism Marketing Summit and the World Tourism Assessment Center, the first Chinese city to obtain such an honor.

Mount Yuntai in Xiuwu County is one of the first UNESCO World Geology Parks as well as a national geology and forest park. Its Qinglong and Fenglin gorges offer the best valley scenes in the nation. And the Qingtian River and Mount Shennong in the vicinity make a trip to the area even more rewarding.

Jiaozuos history is so long it has witnessed the earliest stirrings of humankind. A profusion of beautiful legends were inspired by its landscape, like Goddess Nü Wa (who created mankind with mud) patching up the sky, the Yellow Emperor (legendary ancestor of Chinese people) wishing on heaven, and Shen Nong (inventor of farming in Chinese mythology) tasting the grasses and herbs.Ruins of the Shang Dynasty battlefield where King Wu routed despotic King Zhou and the Shanyang City of the Han Dynasty are still well guarded here. National architectural heritage has been preserved intact, like Jiaying Temple, Cisheng Temple, Miaole Temple Stupa, and Sansheng Pagoda. Chenjiagou of Wenxian County is the cradle of taiji, or shadow boxing, which has split into several specialized sects practiced worldwide.

Elegant Jiaozuo, a city of mountain and river, has made a spectacular leap into a sustainable future of its own making.