Nanyang

Nanyang has a long history. As early as four to five hundred thousand years ago, the "Nanzhao Ape Man" had been thriving and thriving in the upper reaches of the Bai River. About five or six thousand years ago, villages and houses emerged here, giving rise to handicrafts such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and pottery making. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, Nanyang belonged to Jingzhou and was called "Zhou Tu" by the Zhou people because it was located in the southern part of the Zhou Dynasty. In the early 35th year of King Zhao of Qin (272 BC), Nanyang Commandery was established. During the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period, Nanyang had become one of the eight major cities in China, and iron tools had already been used. There were handicrafts and commerce such as iron smelting and silk production, especially the rapid development of the copper casting industry with a high level of craftsmanship.

After the unification of the six states by Qin, the migration of unscrupulous people to Nanyang led to the gathering of wealthy and skilled merchants and artisans from the six states, promoting the economic development of Nanyang. During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, the construction industry was particularly developed, with ancient buildings such as Wuhou and Shanshan Guild Hall towering and magnificent. Nanyang was a transportation hub from Beijing to Huguang and Yunguichuan, and the land post road connected to the waterway dock, earning it the nickname of "South Ship and North Horse".

On November 4, 1948, the entire territory of Nanyang was liberated, and the rule of the Kuomintang came to an end. In March 1949, the newly established Henan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China decided to establish the Nanyang District Committee. In July 1994, the State Council approved the revocation of the Nanyang region and the establishment of a prefecture level Nanyang city, implementing a leadership system of cities leading counties. Nanyang entered a new historical development period.

Henan Province is located in the transitional zone between warm temperate and subtropical regions, mainly controlled by the atmospheric circulation of the westerlies. The climate characteristics of its transitional zone are obvious, with basic characteristics such as distinct four seasons, simultaneous rainfall and heat, complexity and diversity, and frequent meteorological disasters. The general characteristics are cold winter with less rain and snow, dry spring with more sandstorms, hot summer with abundant rain, and clear and sunny autumn. The average annual temperature in the province is generally between 12-16 ℃, with an average of -3-3 ℃ in January and an average of 24-29 ℃ in July. The extreme minimum temperature is -23.6 ℃, and the extreme maximum temperature is 44.2 ℃. The difference between mountains and plains is quite obvious. The annual frost free period from north to south is 189-240 days.

• 🌍 Nanyang Jiangying Airport (南阳姜营机场), Wancheng District (宛城区) (Bus no. K4 links the airport to the city center and the Nanyang Railway Station), ☏ +86 377 62232053 (general enquiries), +86 377 63801345 (ticket enquiries). As of late 2019, flights to Nanyang were available from 20 different cities in China, including Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guiyang, Guilin, Nanning, Haikou, Hohhot, Lanzhou and Urumqi. There are plans to move the airport to a new location in the near future. (updated Apr 2020)

There are two railway stations in Nanyang's main urban area:

• 🌍 Nanyang Railway Station (南阳站), 3 Tiedong Street, Wolong District (卧龙区铁东街3号) (In the city center). Serves regular-speed trains. (updated Apr 2020)
• 🌍 Nanyang East Railway Station (南阳东站), Cha'an Township, Wancheng District (宛城区茶庵乡) (in the city's east; there is a bus stop outside the station, which is served by bus nos. 35, g11, g25, g35, g39, g40, k11, k25, k39, k40, y1 and y2. All of these buses can take you to the city center). Serves high-speed trains. (updated Apr 2020)

• 🌍 Nanyang Zhuge Liang Cultural Tourism Festival (南阳诸葛亮文化旅游节), Wolonggang in the southwest of Nanyang City, ☏ +88 377-63512907. In order to vigorously promote the cultural spirit of Zhuge Liang and inherit the essence contained in it as a cultural ancient city, Nanyang City regularly holds the "Nanyang Zhuge Liang Cultural Tourism Festival". During the festival, people who have participated in the Nanyang Zhuge Liang Cultural Theme Series activities have been deeply influenced by culture, and at the same time, tourists who come to Nanyang for tourism are also returning with excitement. (updated Dec 2023)
• 🌍 Jade Carving Festival (玉雕节), Zhenping County, Nanyang City, ☏ +88 371-65508110. As one of the birthplaces of Chinese jade carving culture, Nanyang City holds regular jade carving festivals every year to promote the transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development of the jade culture industry. The Jade Carving Festival is usually held on September 25th. (updated Dec 2023)