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| Introduction |
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Tianshui is located in the southeast part of Gansu province, at the intersection of Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. It covers an area of 14,992 sq km. Population of the city amounted to 3.6 million by the end of 2009.
Tianshui has a temperate continental climate without bitterly cold winter or extremely hot summer. Average temperature of the city is 11.5° C, while average annual precipitation is 574 mm.
Tianshui is rich in natural resources. Xiaolong Mountain Forest Zone is the largest secondary forest zone in Northwestern China. In addition, mineral resources such as lead, zinc, gold, iron, copper, dolomite, granite, serpentinite and marble are abundant.
Transportation in Tianshui is very convenient. The State Highway 312 (Shanghai-Yining), The State Highway 310 (Lianyuangang-Tianshui), and the Xuzhou-Tianshui Railway, run through the city. In addition, Tianshui Airport, 15 km from the city downtown, operates scheduled flights to Lanzhou and Xi'an, capital of Gansu and Shaanxi provinces, respectively.
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| Economic Features |
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Tianshui realized GDP of RMB 26 billion in 2009, representing a rise of 10.4% year on year. The city's GDP accounted for approximately 7.7% of Gansu's total.
The agricultural sector, the smallest contributor to the city’s economy, generated value-added output of RMB 4.8 billion in 2009, accounting for only 18.4% of the city's GDP. Grain output of Tianshui totaled 859,500 tons in 2007, accounting for 10.5% of the province's total. In addition, Tianshui is also one of ten apple planting bases throughout China.
In 2009, the secondary industry (industry and construction) realized value-added output of RMB 10.1 billion, accounting for 38.9% of the city's total.
During 2009, value-added industrial output of the enterprises above designated size reached RMB 4.8 billion, rising 8.3% year on year.
Machinery, textile and electronic equipments manufacturing are pillar industry of the city. Additionally, Tianshui is one of five famous electric industrial bases in Gansu. Tianshui Huatian Technology<002185>, the only Shenzhen-listed local company, is mainly engaged in the testing and packaging of the semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs). In 2009, the company realized sales revenue and net profit of RMB 854 million and RMB 89.6 million, up 15% and down 30% year on year respectively.
Service sector, the largest contributor to the city's economy, generated value-added output of RMB 11.1 billion, accounting for 42.7% of the city's total GDP in 2009.
Tourism is an important pillar of the service sector. During 2009, 5.3 million tourists visited the city, up 36.2% year on year, while tourism income totaled RMB 1.96 billion, representing a rise of 243.9% compared to the previous year.
In 2009, foreign trade value of Tianshui amounted to US$119.8 million, up 1.6% year on year. Agriculture products and electrical products are major export goods of the city.
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| Cultural Highlights |
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Tianshui City was once the first stop that the Silk Road made upon entering the province. The city, said to have been the hometown of Fuxi, one of ancient China's three wise kings, is praised as the root of ancient Chinese culture.
The city was once called Qinting. The name "Tianshui" appeared during the Qin Dynasty when it was given the name Tianshui Shire.
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| Tourist Attraction |
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Tianshui's local highlights include the Tianshui Fuxi Culture and Tourism Festival (June). It's best to visit Tianshui in September, October, and November.
Maiji Mountain, 40 km (25 miles) southeast of Tainshui City, features one of the four famous grottoes of China, the Maiji Caves, which were built between 348 AD and 417 AD. Today thousands of statues and frescoes remain in the grotto.
Fuxi Temple, which was built during the Ming Dynasty, as a means of appeasing Fuxi in hopes that prayers for happiness and safety would be granted. The Tianshui Fuxi Culture and Tourism Festival are held every year.
In Tianshui, there is a most popular snack named Guagua, which is made from buck wheat powder, and flavors such as spicy oil, sesame, mustard, soy sauce, salt, vinegar, garlic. Local people have Guagua as breakfast almost everyday.
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