Liuzhou (柳州)

1. Introduction

Liuzhou (Postal romanization: Liuchow, Liuzhou dialect pinyin: Liou zou, Zhuang script: Liujcouh), abbreviated as Liu, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. Located in the north-central part of Guangxi, its terrain is described as "three rivers converging and embracing the city like a pot," earning it the nickname "Pot City."

The total area of Liuzhou is 18,600 square kilometers, with an urban area of 3,554 square kilometers and a built-up area of 281.92 square kilometers. By the end of 2020, the city had a permanent population of 4,157,934, of which 2,519,051 resided in the urban area. Ethnic minorities account for over half of the permanent population, at 56.4%, with the Zhuang ethnic group making up 64.1% of the minority population. While Mandarin is commonly spoken among all ethnic groups, the Southwestern Mandarin dialect is also widely used. Since 111 BC, when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty destroyed the Nanyue Kingdom and established Tanzhong County, Liuzhou has had a history of over 2,100 years. It is recognized as a historical and cultural city by the State Council and a national Class A tourist city. The municipal government is located at No. 66 Wenchang Road, Chengzhong District.

Wen Jiabao once inscribed for Liuzhou: "Green mountains, clear waters, and clean land." Liuzhou ranks 55th in population among Chinese cities, comparable in size to Nuremberg in Germany and Tampa in the United States.

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2. History

2.1 Ancient Human Period

Liuzhou is one of the most significant sites for the discovery of ancient human fossils in China and even East Asia.

2.1.1 Paleolithic Age

The Liujiang Man might be the earliest anatomically modern human (Homo sapiens) discovered in East Asia to date. There is no precise data for their survival period yet. Based on uranium-series dating results, the minimum age is approximately 67,000 years ago, and the maximum age ranges from about 227,000 to 101,000 years ago. They may have some relationship with the late Paleolithic humans of Japan. The Ganqianyan site has also yielded over ten human tooth fossils, belonging to the late Paleolithic Age, contemporaneous with the Liujiang Man and displaying Mongoloid racial characteristics. The lower layer of the Bailian Cave site is a Paleolithic site. The Bailiandong people lived around 50,000 years ago. Archaeological excavations at their living site have uncovered over 500 stone tools, 2 human tooth fossils, more than 3,500 animal bone fossils, and 2 traces of human fire use. China's first cave museum was built here, and it is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Other sites from this era include: the Duleyan site, the Liujiang Zhoudong site, and the lower layer of the Liyuzui site.

2.1.2 Mesolithic Age

This period dates from approximately 18,000 to 10,000 years ago. The Dalongtan human bones excavated from the Liyuzui site date back about 12,000 to 7,000 years and are also a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Other sites from this era include: the Liujiang Siduoyan site, the Chenjiayan site, the third and second cultural layers of Bailian Cave, and the middle cultural layer of Liyuzui. Besides cave sites, rock shelter sites also appeared during this period.

2.1.3 Neolithic Age

This period dates from approximately 10,000 to 6,000 years ago. There are many Neolithic sites. The Lanjiacun site belongs to the early Neolithic Age, with densely distributed pottery shards, totaling 943 pieces discovered, mostly decorated with impressed coarse cord patterns. Other sites from this era include: the upper cultural layer of Bailian Cave, the upper cultural layer of Liyuzui, the Xiangshui site, the Luguling site, and the Gongdiancun site.

2.2 History of City Establishment

2.2.1 Baiyue Period

Liuzhou was located in the Baiyue territory during the pre-Qin period, related to branches such as the Xi'ou Yue and Nanyue. The Manwangcheng (Barbarian King City) site in Liuzhou dates to the patrilineal clan commune period, approximately 4,000 years ago.

2.2.2 Qin Dynasty Period

In 219 BC, Emperor Qin Shi Huang appointed Tu Sui as commander, mobilizing 500,000 troops to launch the prolonged Qin campaign against the Baiyue. They encountered the Xi'ou army led by Yi Xusong and Jie Jun. The first war cost heavy casualties, resulting in Tu Sui's death. After the Lingqu Canal was completed, a second campaign was launched, ultimately penetrating deep into Lingnan by 214 BC. The area of present-day Liuzhou was under the Qin's Guilin Commandery, but Qin authority's control over the region was not strong.

2.2.3 Nanyue Kingdom Period

After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, the region became part of the Nanyue Kingdom established by former Qin generals and the Yue people (founded around 204 BC). The rule of the Nanyue Kingdom lasted nearly a century.

2.2.4 Han Dynasty Period

During Emperor Wu of Han's reign, Lu Bode led the Han army in the Han conquest of Nanyue (112 BC). In the winter of the 6th year of Yuanding (111 BC), the Nanyue Kingdom was destroyed. In the same year, a city was established in the area of present-day Liuzhou, named Tanzhong County under the Yulin Commandery. Local governance was primarily handled by indigenous leaders, and the Tusi (chieftain) system continued until the "Gaitu Guiliu" (replacing native chieftains with state-appointed officials) policy during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Han Dynasty tombs at Jiutoushan in Liuzhou are representative of this period. Over 40 Wu Zhu coins from the reigns of Emperor Wu and Emperor Xuan of Han were unearthed, representing the earliest evidence of monetary trade in Liuzhou. Iron spades and iron bars indicate that Tanzhong County had entered the era of iron agricultural tools. The unearthed glass ornaments might have originated from Southeast Asia or the eastern coast of India, landing at Hepu and imported via the Nanliu River and Beiliu River up the Liujiang River.

2.3 Ancient History

2.3.1 Three Kingdoms Period

In the 3rd year of the Fenghuang era of Eastern Wu (274 AD), Guilin Commandery was separated from Yulin Commandery, and Tanzhong County belonged to Guilin Commandery. During the Three Kingdoms period, to the west of Tanzhong County, Dingzhou (present-day Yizhou District, Hechi City), the only county seat in the western Guangxi region at the time, had its administrative establishment abolished. The Hongshui River basin and the present-day Longjiang and Rongjiang river basins, i.e., northwestern Guangxi encompassing the present-day Liuzhou and Hechi regions, completely lacked local administrative structures of the central dynasty. This marked a trough period in economic exchange between the ethnic minorities of northwestern Guangxi and the more Sinicized eastern Guangxi and the Central Plains.

2.3.1 Western Jin Dynasty Period

In the 3rd year of the Taikang era (282 AD), Tanzhong County was elevated from a county seat to the seat of Guilin Commandery.

2.3.2 Northern and Southern Dynasties Period

During the Southern Qi Dynasty (479–502 AD), Qixi Commandery was established from part of Tanzhong County's territory. After the 6th year of the Datong era of the Liang Dynasty (540 AD), it served as the seat of both Tanzhong County and Maping Commandery.

2.3.3 Sui Dynasty Period

In the 11th year of the Kaihuang era (591 AD), Tanzhong County was renamed Guilin County, and later changed to Maping County. In the 1st year of the Daye era (605 AD), Maping County belonged to Guilin Commandery. In the 3rd year of the Daye era (607 AD), it belonged to Shi'an Commandery.

2.3.4 Tang Dynasty Period

In the 4th year of the Wude era of Tang (621 AD), Maping County became the seat of Kunzhou, which was later renamed Nankunzhou, under the Lingnan Circuit. In the 8th year of the Zhenguan era of Emperor Taizong of Tang (634 AD), Nankunzhou was renamed Liuzhou, marking the origin of the name "Liuzhou." In the 1st year of the Tianbao era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (742 AD), it was renamed Longcheng Commandery. In the 1st year of the Qianyuan era (758 AD), Longcheng Commandery reverted to the name Liuzhou, which has been used ever since. During Emperor Taizong's reign, a horse trading route was opened from Guizhou through present-day Liuzhou to Yongzhou. According to the "Yuanhe Junxian Zhi": the distance from Guizhou to Liuzhou was 530 li, from Liuzhou to Yanzhou (Laibin County) 200 li, from Yanzhou to Binzhou 190 li, and from Binzhou to Yongzhou (Nanning) 245 li. During Empress Wu Zetian's reign, the Guiliu Canal was constructed at the Lin'gui Xiangsi Weir, connecting the waterway from the Xiang River via the Li River and Luoqing River to Liuzhou. Liuzhou is renowned for Liu Zongyuan (773–819 AD), the initiator of the Tang Dynasty Classical Prose Movement and a reformer. At that time, the Liu Hou Temple commemorating Liu Zongyuan, his cenotaph, Luochi Pond, and the ruins of the Tang Kaiyuan Temple were built in the city center. The economy was still primarily agricultural.

2.3.4 Northern Song Dynasty Period

The walls between residential wards were dismantled, vendors' stalls penetrated deep into residential areas, and residences also spread throughout the city and suburbs. Large quantities of timber from the upper reaches of the Liujiang River, including the Longjiang and Rongjiang regions, were gathered and distributed in Liuzhou via river transport. During the Dazhong Xiangfu period (1008–1016), when the imperial court constructed Taoist palaces like Yuqing and Zhaoying, eight types of timber from various regions were listed, including Liuzhou fir. Liuzhou wood products thus became famous worldwide, forming the historical background for the later proverb about Liuzhou coffins: "Dress in Suzhou, play in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, die in Liuzhou." From 1052 to 1053, Liuzhou was briefly controlled by Nong Zhigao's army. Afterwards, the Northern Song government established trade markets (Boyi Chang) in present-day Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, Rongshui, Luocheng, Nandan, Jinchengjiang, Yizhou, etc., leading to large-scale export of mountain products, especially timber. The "Song Huiyao Jigao" records the bulk water transport of planks from Wangkouzhai in Rongzhou to Liuzhou. Liuzhou cloth was sold to various places. Celadon kilns were once built along the Liujiang River, possibly selling to Southeast Asia. There is a group of slope-style dragon kilns at Dapu in Liucheng. Besides transporting lead and tin ores from the Yizhou region, the docks under Liuzhou city might also have sold porcelain to overseas markets. The Lingquan Temple at Ma'anshan attracted "scholars coming to dwell, numbering in the thousands," indicating the development of service industries like lodging.

2.3.5 Southern Song and Yuan Dynasty Periods

The arrival of many officials transferred to Liuzhou during the Tang and Song dynasties contributed to Liuzhou's economic and cultural development. Southern Song Chancellors Wu Min, Wang Anshi (Southern Song), and Wang Boyan all once resided in Liuzhou. The Jiahe Academy was built south of the city during the Song Dynasty. In the 1st year of the Xianchun era of Southern Song (1265 AD), to guard against Mongol cavalry attacks, the Song Dynasty relocated the prefectural administrative offices from Liuzhou city to Liucheng County northwest, away from the main Gui-Yong road. For the following century, spanning the Yuan Dynasty, this marked the first major decline in Liuzhou's history. The Yuan Dynasty greatly strengthened the management of the courier route system. There were four land courier stations from Guilin to Maping County town, such as Dongquan Yi, and five water courier stations along the Luoqing River, such as Suqiao, Dashi, Hengtang, and Jiuxian. These were primarily for military needs but also played a role in promoting local economic exchange.

2.3.6 Ming Dynasty Period

In the 1st year of the Hongwu era of Ming (1368 AD), Liuzhou was renamed Liuzhou Prefecture, and the prefectural administrative offices moved back from Liucheng to Maping County. Maping County was elevated from a prefectural seat (pre-Song status) to a prefectural capital seat, and Liuzhou once again became the seat of a prefecture governing two subprefectures and ten counties. In the 12th year of Hongwu (1379 AD), the Ming government expanded the city walls of Liuzhou. The walls were 1 zhang 8 chi high according to the old system, 3 li long east-west and 2 li wide north-south, covering the area from the southern half of present-day Chengzhong District to the slopes north of the Liujiang River. Five city gates were arranged around the city: East, North, West, Zhennan (Guard the South), and Jingnan (Pacify the South). Sections of the ancient Zhennan Gate city wall and the Dongmen Gate Tower rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty still exist. A poem says: "The Pot City was built in early Ming, named for its shape; the Li River bends four times, embracing the city like a ring." Hence, "Pot City" (Hu Cheng) and "Dragon City" (Long Cheng) became alternative names for Liuzhou. During the mid to late Ming Dynasty, Liuzhou entered a development stage as a prosperous prefecture in western Guangdong. Portuguese merchants once bought tung oil from Guangzhou to transport to Europe, which likely originated from Liuzhou. Famous Ming Dynasty figures include the "Eight Worthies of Liuzhou." In the late Ming, fleeing Ming emperors went south to Liuzhou. The decades-long tug-of-war between the Ming and Qing dynasties in northern Liuzhou caused significant damage to the city.

2.3.7 Qing Dynasty Period

After the Qing Dynasty pacified the Southern Ming, relative stability made Liuzhou city a trade center between Guangdong, Guizhou, and Hunan. In the present-day Yufeng District area around Taiping Street, there were markets like Taiping Xu, Chashan Xu, Labao Xu, Shangting Xu, and Silang Xu. In the 10th year of the Yongzheng era of Qing (1732 AD), Liuzhou established the Guizhou Transport Office to handle shipping and transport business between Liuzhou and Guzhou (present-day Rongjiang County, Guizhou).Liuzhou primarily transported timber and grain to the south and salt to the north. During that period, the Guangdong Guild Hall was established at the site of present-day Liuzhou High School, the Hunan Guild Hall at the site of present-day Jingxing Primary School, the Jiangxi Guild Hall at the location of the current Mass Art Center (formerly No. 12 Middle School), the Fujian Guild Hall near the present-day Liuzhou Theater, and the Luling Guild Hall near Qiaojia Lane on Qingyun Road, among others. Liuzhou's commercial status reached a peak at that time. Numerous place names reflecting industry characteristics emerged within the city, signifying the development of urban handicrafts and service industries.

2.4. Modern History

2.4.1 The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement Period

A folk song circulated in Wuxuan Dongxiang, the place where Hong Xiuquan proclaimed himself the Heavenly King: "Sister, don't worry or grieve, pack your bundle and head to Liuzhou, follow the Heavenly Army to fight, a peaceful world brings joy and ease." Liuzhou was once occupied by the Dacheng Kingdom, an insurgent regime established by the Heaven and Earth Society.

2.4.2 Late Qing Dynasty

As several cities in Guangxi were opened as treaty ports, following Wuzhou's opening (1887), the export of products from China's greater southwest via the West River and down the Pearl River increased substantially. In the 30th year of the Guangxu reign (1904), the commercial steamships Guifu and Liuping were already plying the Liuzhou-Wuzhou route. In the 31st year of Guangxu (1905), France stationed troops in Liuzhou under the pretext of protecting merchants and civilians due to the Lu Yafa secret society uprising incident in Liuzhou. In the year Nanning was opened as a commercial port (1907), the British Hong Kong firm Tianhe Yanghang dispatched eight passenger ships, including the Dianlong and Dianma, to operate on the Wuzhou-Nanning and Wuzhou-Liuzhou routes. The following year, it also deployed four passenger ships it represented, such as the American Liguo, into service on the Wuzhou route. That same year, the French gunboat "Ajushi" sailed from the Yu River to Liuzhou. A large influx of foreign yarn entered, leading to the emergence in Liuzhou's countryside of specialized households leaving agricultural production to engage in spinning. Simultaneously, local silk exports became popular. During the tenure of Liuzhou Prefect Yang Daolin (from the 10th month of the 33rd year of Guangxu (1907) to the 11th month of the 1st year of Xuantong (1909)), a trend of establishing industries arose in Liuzhou. In the 34th year of Guangxu (1908), an attempt was made to establish the Liuzhou Official Bank, but it failed to compete with foreign capital and did not succeed. On the 1st day of the 5th lunar month, the Liuzhou General Chamber of Commerce was established. A joint venture trial was conducted to establish the Huaxing Improved Timber Planting Company, which purchased sawing and lifting machinery from Hong Kong to process timber using advanced technology for export, distributing to ports like Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tianjin.

2.4.3 Early Republic of China Era

During the rule of local warlords, the New Guangxi Clique advocated the slogan "Build Guangxi," vigorously developing finance and manufacturing in Liuzhou. However, Liuzhou suffered a massive fire in 1928, which burned down half the city. Subsequently, most of the Ming Dynasty city walls were demolished to build roads. At that time, Huang Shaohong, Chairman of Guangxi Province, originally planned to move the provincial capital to Liuzhou in 1928, initiating large-scale urban construction in Liuzhou. In the plan, Yufeng Road was designated as the center of the new Liuzhou, and an exhibition center was built on Dalong Ridge; the thirty-meter-wide Yufeng Road was then the premier road in Guangxi; radiating roads like Dongda Road and Zhengnan Road were very prosperous. In the 1930s, due to the Jiang-Gui War, Liuzhou missed its best opportunity to become the provincial capital. However, in 1937, the Guangxi Machinery Factory in Jila produced Liuzhou's first military fighter aircraft in history.

2.4.4 The Period of Total War of Resistance Against Japan

The strategically important city of Liuzhou in the southwest became a major rear area for the War of Resistance. Liuzhou once served as the seat of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea (November 1938–May 1939). After the fall of Wuhan and Guangzhou, Liuzhou continuously suffered air raids by Japanese aircraft. Construction of the Liujiang Railway Bridge began in 1939 and was completed the following year. Together with the Qian-Gui Railway, it established Liuzhou's status as a transportation hub in the southwest region.

2.4.5 The Battle of Henan-Hunan-Guangxi and the Japanese Occupation Period

In the spring of 1944, to open a land transport corridor from Northeast China to Vietnam, the Japanese army launched the Battle of Henan-Hunan-Guangxi. After the Guilin-Liuzhou Campaign, Guilin and Liuzhou were successively occupied by Japanese forces. From November 1944 to June 1945, Liuzhou was occupied by the Japanese army. During the War of Resistance, the urban area of Liuzhou suffered large-scale destruction and burning.

2.4.6 The Final Period of Nationalist Government Rule

In April 1949, the Chinese People's Liberation Army launched the Crossing the Yangtze Campaign. After the Hengbao Campaign, over 180,000 troops controlled by the Guangxi Clique and the Nationalist Government retreated to Guangxi. On November 25, the 343rd Regiment of the 39th Army of the Fourth Field Army entered and occupied Liuzhou from the Shatang direction. On December 19, the Liuzhou Municipal People's Government was established, with Wei Bo serving as the first Mayor of Liuzhou. In 1950, Liuzhou was designated as a province-administered city.

2.5 Contemporary History

In 1950, Liuzhou's total industrial output value was less than 10 million yuan, ranking second in Guangxi after Wuzhou. During the three-year economic recovery period, the predecessor of the Zinc Products Factory—the Liuzhou Lead-Zinc Mine—was built in the Baisha area, along with a timber factory and a brick and tile factory. A dyeing and weaving factory was also established. By 1952, two years later, the total industrial output value had reached 26 million yuan. In June 1950, Huang Shaohong, a former Guangxi Clique figure and member of the Government Administration Council, proposed at a Government Administration Council meeting that the central government relocate the capital of Guangxi to Liuzhou. However, the proposal by Huang Shaohong and others did not get an opportunity for a vote.

2.5.1 During the First Five-Year Plan Period

Liuzhou's industry formed three pillar industries: machinery, non-ferrous metallurgy, and timber processing. In July 1954, Ho Chi Minh held talks with Zhou Enlai at the site of the present-day Red Building in Liuzhou, exchanging views on major issues related to the Geneva Conference for the peaceful settlement of the Indochina problem, and issued a joint communiqué.

2.5.2 During the Great Leap Forward Movement

The central government planned a new industrial zone in Liuzhou and deployed ten key construction projects: Liuzhou Iron and Steel Plant, Liuzhou Thermal Power Station, Liuzhou Air Compressor Plant, Liuzhou Chemical Fertilizer Plant, Liuzhou Second Chemical Plant, Liubei Water Plant, Liuzhou Miniature Automobile Plant, Liuzhou Cement Plant, Liujiang Paper Mill, and the Construction Machinery Factory relocated from Shanghai (now Guangxi Liugong Machinery Co., Ltd.). Soon after, under the mindset of war preparedness, enterprises such as knitting mills and standard parts factories were again relocated from Shanghai to Liuzhou. While actively absorbing the advanced management, personnel, and technology brought by the relocations, Liuzhou also built a paint factory, a pharmaceutical factory, and a switch factory. By 1960, Liuzhou's total industrial output value had exceeded 300 million yuan, and the city's population had increased to 350,000. The Great Leap Forward was a period of rapid development for Liuzhou, establishing its status as an industrial city.

2.5.3 The Cultural Revolution Period

The Liujiang Bridge was reconstructed in 1966. In 1969, Liuzhou's first "Liujiang" brand automobile was produced, marking the beginning of Liuzhou's automobile industry. In the early 1970s, the Liuzhou Transistor Factory successfully manufactured high-frequency transistors.

2.5.4 Early Period of Reform and Opening-Up

Liuzhou's industrial development accelerated rapidly, and it once became the second-largest industrial city in South China after Guangzhou. State-owned enterprises such as the Liuzhou Electric Fan Factory, Liangmianzhen Toothpaste Factory, and Liuzhou Switch Factory were hailed as the "Eight Great Guardians" at that time. In 1992, Liuzhou achieved a total industrial output value exceeding 10 billion yuan. Although a once-in-a-century flood hit Liuzhou in late summer 1993, the city's industrial output value reached 14.2 billion yuan that year, ranking 27th in the national comprehensive city rankings. Guangxi Liugong Machinery Co., Ltd. was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 1993, becoming the first engineering machinery listed company in mainland China. Large-scale projects such as the Art Center, Wenhui Bridge, Yufeng Building, Donghuan Avenue, and the Aquatic Center were commenced during this period.

2.5.5 Late 20th Century – First Decade of the 21st Century

The Liuzhou Municipal Government strengthened environmental pollution control, built new sewage treatment systems, gradually relocated factories out of the urban area, and added environmental protection facilities. Early constructions included high-rise buildings like the Jubao Building and the Lijing Grand Hotel. Later constructions included the Huatian Century Hotel, Radisson Hotel (2009, located in Sunshine 100 City Plaza), the reconstruction of the Liuzhou Museum, and the renovation of Central Square. A dam was built on the lower reaches of the Liujiang River, making the river channel wider. New flood control facilities were constructed, riverside roads were beautified, and more cultural, sports, and recreational facilities were installed. The artificial waterfall group on Panlong Mountain on the Liujiang River, the Liujiang River Music Fountain, the Liujiang Pearl Aquatic Grand Stage, and the nighttime lighting system for the Twin Pagodas on Jianpan Mountain were all completed during this period. The number of bridges over the Liujiang River increased to 14. International water sports competitions began to be held. After 2002, Liuzhou became a true construction site, with real estate values rising rapidly. The fastest-growing area was Hedong in the Chengzhong District, which became Liuzhou's new administrative, commercial, educational, and residential center. It houses the Liuzhou Municipal Government and Civic Square, the Liuzhou Municipal Court, Liuzhou Television Station, Sunshine 100 City Plaza, the new campus of Liuzhou People's Hospital, the new campus of Liuzhou High School, and the headquarters of several enterprises, as well as high-rise residential areas.

2.5.6 Industrial Development

Liuzhou began the construction process of the Yanghe Industrial Park and the Liuzhou Automobile City. In February 2007, Liuzhou Steel Co., Ltd. was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. To address the challenges brought by joining the World Trade Organization, the Liuzhou Municipal Government successively introduced industry giants such as China FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, SAIC Motor, Nissan, Renault, and General Motors to restructure the automobile industry's assets. Liute cooperated with FAW, with the government transferring all of Liute's equity to FAW. For the cooperation between Liuqi and Dongfeng, Liuzhou transferred 75% of Liuqi's shares to Dongfeng free of charge. In 2006, Dongfeng Liuqi sold 25% of its equity to Nissan and Renault, marking the formal entry of Nissan and Renault into Liuzhou. Liuwei cooperated with SAIC Motor and General Motors to restructure SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., Ltd. To achieve the cooperation, the government transferred all 84.1% of Liuwei's equity to SAIC Motor. Subsequently, General Motors injected $99 million in capital to obtain a 34% equity stake, which caused considerable controversy.While steadily enhancing the market competitiveness of products such as the "Wuling Guang," SAIC-GM-Wuling successfully launched the Chevrolet SPARK. In 2007, Liuzhou ranked first in the national market share of micro commercial vehicles, with a penetration rate of 43%. By 2009, Liuzhou's automobile production exceeded one million units, with SAIC, FAW, Dongfeng, and Sinotruk all establishing vehicle production bases in the city. The automotive industry has formed a relatively complete industrial chain for vehicles and components, with a local parts localization rate exceeding 50%. In 2011, Guangxi Liugong Machinery Co., Ltd. acquired the construction machinery division of the Polish military enterprise Huta Stalowa Wola. The transaction value could reach up to 63.5 million euros (equivalent to 94 million USD).

3. Geography

Liuzhou is located in the north-central part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, between 108°50′ to 109°44′ east longitude and 23°54′ to 24°50′ north latitude.

The urban area of Liuzhou features flat terrain with slight undulations, at an elevation between 85 and 105 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and north, exhibiting typical karst landform characteristics. Influenced by the Liujiang River flowing through the city, as well as climate, lithology, and geological structure, the area forms a natural basin characterized by a combination of river terrace landforms and karst topography.

The Liujiang River flows from north to south around the peninsula-shaped Liubei Peninsula, then turns north, northeast, southwest, and finally southeast before exiting. Consequently, the Liubei Peninsula is often hailed as the "World's First Potted Landscape." In the early 21st century, following the construction of dams for water storage, the Liujiang River's surface became wider than before, and it now features the world's longest artificial landscape waterfall.

Peaks dot the cityscape, including famous ones such as Yufeng Mountain, Ma'an Mountain, E Mountain, Jianpan Mountain, Wenbi Peak, and Que'er Mountain. In the southern part of the city lies Dule Karst, a typical karst cave formation.

3.1 Climate

Liuzhou experiences a subtropical monsoon climate with relatively distinct four seasons, mild temperatures, and abundant rainfall. The average annual sunshine duration is 1,634.9 hours, the average annual temperature is 20.5°C, the frost-free period lasts up to 314 days, and the average annual precipitation is nearly 1,450 mm. These conditions are favorable for crop growth and the breeding of livestock, poultry, and fish.

Average Meteorological Data for Liuzhou City (1981-2010)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|------|------|------|------| | Record high °C (°F) | 27.5(81.5) | 32.9(91.2) | 34.1(93.4) | 35.6(96.1) | 36.7(98.1) | 36.8(98.2) | 39.0(102.2)| 38.9(102.0) | 38.5 (101.3)| 36.0 (96.8) | 32.7(90.9) | 29.2(84.6) | 39.0(102.2)| | Average high °C (°F) | 14.3(57.7) | 15.9(60.6) | 19.3(66.7) | 25.1 (77.2) | 29.3(84.7) | 31.7(89.1) | 33.4(92.1) | 33.7(92.7) | 31.9 (89.4) | 27.8 (82.0) | 22.7(72.9) | 17.7(63.9) | 25.2 (77.4) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | 10.6(51.1) | 12.4 (54.3)| 15.7(60.3) | 21.1 (70.0) | 25.1(77.2) | 27.7(81.9) | 29.0 (84.2) | 29.1 (84.4) | 27.2(81.0) | 23.1(73.6) | 17.9(64.2) | 12.9(55.2) | 21.0 (69.8) | | Average low °C (°F) | 8.0 (46.4)| 9.9(49.8) | 13.1(55.6) | 18.2(64.8) | 21.9(71.4) | 24.7(76.5) | 25.8 (78.4) | 25.8 (78.4)| 23.7 (74.7) | 19.6(67.3) | 14.5(58.1) | 9.6 (49.3) | 17.9(64.2) | | Record low °C (°F) | 0.1 (32.2) | 0.3 (32.5) | 2.3(36.1) | 8.0(46.4) | 12.2(54.0) | 17.7 (63.9) | 20.0 (68.0) | 20.4(68.7) | 15.0(59.0) | 9.6 (49.3) | 3.3(37.9) | -0.3 (31.5) | -0.3 (31.5) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 54.0(2.13) | 59.5 (2.34) | 95.3(3.75) | 137.4(5.41) | 228.8(9.01) | 281.0(11.06) | 190.2(7.49) | 161.7(6.37) | 73.4 (2.89) | 58.7 (2.31) | 55.4 (2.18)| 35.7 | 1,431.1(56.35) | | Average precipitation days (≥0.1 mm) | 13.4 | 14.2 | 16.6 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 16.0 | 15.4 | 14.4 | 8.8 | 8.8 | 7.5 | 7.2 | 156.3 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 72 | 75 | 77 | 77 | 76 | 77 | 75 | 74 | 69 | 67 | 68 | 67 | 73 |

Source 1: China Meteorological Data Network (http://data.cma.cn/data/weatherBk.htm)

Source 2: China Weather Network (precipitation days from 1971-2000)

3.2 Pollution Treatment

Following the Ninth Five-Year Plan in 1996, Liuzhou began comprehensive efforts to address air and water pollution. In 2009, the urban area of Liuzhou recorded 125 days of excellent air quality and 231 days of good air quality, achieving an excellent/good air quality rate of 98%. The annual average concentration of the main pollutant, sulfur dioxide, was 0.063 mg/m³, a decrease of 11.3% compared to 2008. The annual acid rain frequency was 20.7%, down 23.1% from 2008, with an annual average acid rain pH value of 5.45, approximately equivalent to the acidity of tea.

In 2009, the centralized disposal rate of medical waste in Liuzhou reached 50%. The city's wastewater treatment capacity was 350,000 cubic meters per day, with a centralized treatment rate for urban domestic sewage of 81.1% and a harmless treatment rate for domestic waste of 100%.

5. Administrative Divisions

Liuzhou City administers 5 municipal districts, 3 counties, and 2 autonomous counties.

• Municipal Districts: Chengzhong District, Yufeng District, Liunan District, Liubei District, Liujiang District
• Counties: Liucheng County, Luzhai County, Rong'an County
• Autonomous Counties: Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County

Additionally, Liuzhou City has established the following administrative management areas: National-level Liuzhou High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Liudong New District (Liuzhou Automobile City), and Yanghe New District (Yanghe Industrial Park).

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin / Zhuang (Phonetic Transcription) | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--| | 450200 | Liuzhou City | Liǔzhōu Shì / Liujcouh Si | 18,596.64 | 4,157,934 | Chengzhong District | 545000 | 31 | 53 | 33 | 6 | | 450202 | Chengzhong District | Chéngzhōng Qū / Cwngzoh Gih | 77.56 | 243,628 | Chengzhong Subdistrict | 545000 | 7 | | | | | 450203 | Yufeng District | Yúfēng Qū / Yizfung Gih | 861.80 | 668,961 | Qilin Subdistrict | 545000 | 8 | 4 | | | | 450204 | Liunan District | Liǔnán Qū / Liujnamz Gih | 541.37 | 617,925 | Tanxi Subdistrict | 545000 | 8 | 3 | | | | 450205 | Liubei District | Liǔběi Qū / Liujbwz Gih | 301.27 | 484,765 | Que'ershan Subdistrict | 545000 | 8 | 3 | | | | 450206 | Liujiang District | Liǔjiāng Qū / Liujgyangh Gih | 1,772.04 | 503,772 | Labao Town | 545100 | | 8 | | | | 450222 | Liucheng County | Liǔchéng Xiàn / Liujcwngz Yen | 2,114.37 | 314,242 | Dapu Town | 545200 | | 10 | 2 | 1 | | 450223 | Luzhai County | Lùzhài Xiàn / Luzcai Yen | 2,974.80 | 337,298 | Luzhai Town | 545600 | | 6 | 3 | | | 450224 | Rong'an County | Róng'ān Xiàn / Yungzanh Yen | 2,898.09 | 253,360 | Chang'an Town | 545400 | | 6 | 6 | | | 450225 | Rongshui Miao Autonomous County | Róngshuǐ Miáozú Zìzhìxiàn / Yungzsuij Myauzcuz Swcden | 4,638.17 | 412,445 | Rongshui Town | 545300 | | 7 | 13 | 2 | | 450226 | Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County | Sānjiāng Dòngzú Zìzhìxiàn / Samgyangh Dongz Swcden | 2,417.17 | 321,538 | Guyí Town | 545500 | | 6 | 9 | 3 |

Note: The figures for Yufeng District include the two towns of Luorong and Luobu under the jurisdiction of Liudong New District and the Yanghe Subdistrict under the jurisdiction of Yanghe New District.

6. Economy

Liuzhou is a major industrial hub situated between Southwest China, Central China, South China, and Southeast Asian countries. Its products are primarily sold to South China, Southeast Asia, and worldwide. The city currently has over 3,400 industrial enterprises, including 430 above a designated scale, 11 large-scale industrial enterprises, and nearly 200,000 industrial workers. Four companies—Guangxi Automobile Group, Liuzhou Iron and Steel Group (Liugang), Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co., Ltd., and Liugong—rank among China's top 500 industrial enterprises. Presently, a modern industrial system has been established, led by three pillar industries—automobiles, machinery, and metallurgy—with thriving sectors such as sugar refining, tobacco, papermaking, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, building materials, and textiles.

6.1 Automobile Manufacturing

Since manufacturing its first "Liujiang" brand automobile in 1969, the automobile industry in Liuzhou has developed particularly rapidly. It is the only city in China that hosts assembly plants of all three of China's major automobile groups and the third city in China to achieve an annual automobile production exceeding one million units (reaching one million on November 19, 2009; Beijing and Shanghai also reached this milestone the same year). It is home to well-known automobile brands such as "Liugong," "SAIC-GM-Wuling," "Dongfeng Chenglong," "Fengxing," and "SPARK." Major automobile enterprises include:

• Liuzhou Wuling Motors Co., Ltd.
• SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., Ltd.
• Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co., Ltd.
• FAW Jiefang Liuzhou Special Vehicle Co., Ltd.
• China National Heavy Duty Truck Group Liuzhou Yunli Special Vehicle Co., Ltd.

6.2 Machinery Manufacturing

The machinery manufacturing industry has a long history, with major companies established in the early years after the founding of the People's Republic of China.

• Guangxi Liugong Machinery Co., Ltd.
• Liuzhou OVM Machinery Co., Ltd.
• Liuzhou Rolling Stock Works (rail transport machinery manufacturing)

6.3 Metallurgy and Chemicals

• Guangxi Liuzhou Iron and Steel (Group) Company
• Huaxi Group
• Guangxi Yufeng Cement Co., Ltd.
• Liuzhou Zinc Products Co., Ltd.
• Liuzhou Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

6.4 Light Industry

The light industry boasts several China Famous Trademarks, such as "Liangmianzhen Toothpaste," "Golden Throat Lozenges," and "Huahong Pharmaceuticals," with products sold both domestically and internationally. Related enterprises include:

• Liuzhou Liangmianzhen Co., Ltd.
• Guangxi Golden Throat Co., Ltd.
• Guangxi Huahong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

7. Transportation

As a major city in South China, Liuzhou serves as a transportation hub connecting Southwest, Central South, South China, and Southeast Asia, and is historically known as the "Commercial Hub of Central Guangxi." Liuzhou was the headquarters of the former Liuzhou Railway Bureau, making it the only non-provincial capital city in China to host a railway bureau. The Xianggui Railway, Hengliu Railway, Qiangui Railway, and Jiaoliu Railway converge here, with intercity trains operating between Nanning, Liuzhou, and Guilin. The urban area is encircled by the North Ring Expressway, Guiliu Expressway–Liunan Expressway, and Yiliu Expressway, with existing expressways connecting to Yizhou, Nanning, Beihai, Guilin, and other cities. National Highways 209, 322, and 323 pass through the city. Liuzhou Bailian Airport offers flights to major cities across China, with nearby airports including Guilin Liangjiang International Airport and Nanning Wuxu International Airport.

7.1 Public Buses

As of 2018, Liuzhou Hengda Bus Company operates 102 bus routes with a fleet of 1,391 buses, covering all urban and suburban areas of Liuzhou. The annual passenger volume reaches 211 million. Starting from June 2018, all bus routes in Liuzhou officially support WeChat Pay for fare payment. Fares: air-conditioned lines 2.00 yuan, ordinary lines 1.00 yuan, and some lines range from 1.50 yuan to 2.40 yuan.

7.2 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Liuzhou has a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system consisting of eight routes. The Liuzhou BRT system officially commenced operations on December 30, 2013. Currently, the routes include BRT Line 1, BRT Line 1 Interval, BRT Line 2, BRT Line 3, BRT Line 5, BRT Line 6, BRT Line 7, BRT Line 8, BRT Line 9, and BRT Line 9 Interval, totaling 10 lines. Fare: 1.00 yuan (free transfers within intervals).

7.3 Water Bus

On March 31, 2014, the Liuzhou Water Bus system officially launched, operated by Liuzhou Shunda Water Bus Co., Ltd., becoming the first water bus system in Guangxi. The Liuzhou Water Bus operates a total of 9 routes, including 7 cross-river lines, 1 circular line, and 1 rapid circular line. Fares: cross-river lines 2.00 yuan, circular and rapid circular lines 3.00 yuan.

8. Education

8.1 Higher Education Institutions

• Public Undergraduate Institutions: Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou Campus of Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University
• Private Undergraduate Institution: Liuzhou Institute of Technology
• Public Vocational Colleges: Guangxi Vocational & Technical College of Ecological Engineering, Liuzhou Vocational & Technical College, Liuzhou Railway Vocational & Technical College, Liuzhou City Vocational College

8.2 Key High Schools

Liuzhou has a large number of regular high schools, among which the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Model Regular High Schools include:

• Liuzhou Senior High School (First Batch) One of the Top 100 High Schools in China
• Liuzhou Tieyi High School (First Batch) One of the Top 100 High Schools in China
• Liuzhou No.1 High School (First Batch)
• Liuzhou No.2 High School (Second Batch)
• Liuzhou Tier High School (First Batch)
• Liujiang High School (Second Batch)
• Liucheng County High School (Third Batch)
• Liuzhou No.3 High School (Fourth Batch)
• Liuzhou No.40 High School (Liugang No.1 High School) (Fifth Batch)
• Luzhai High School (Fifth Batch)
• Liuzhou Ethnic High School (Approved in 2013)

9. Population

At the end of 2022, the city's total registered population was 3.9679 million, an increase of 19,000 from the end of the previous year. The city's permanent resident population at the end of the year was 4.1753 million, an increase of 12,100 from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban population was 2.9365 million, accounting for 70.33% of the total population (urbanization rate of permanent residents), an increase of 0.40 percentage points from the end of the previous year. The urbanization rate of the registered population was 50.73%, an increase of 0.31 percentage points from the end of the previous year. The annual number of births was 32,800, with a birth rate of 8.28‰; the number of deaths was 22,000, with a death rate of 5.56‰; the natural growth rate was 2.72‰.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 4,157,934. Compared with the 3,758,704 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 399,230 people over the ten-year period, a growth of 10.62%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.01%. Among them, the male population was 2,156,439, accounting for 51.86% of the total population; the female population was 2,001,495, accounting for 48.14% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 107.74. The population aged 0–14 was 792,391, accounting for 19.06% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 2,650,701, accounting for 63.75% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 714,842, accounting for 17.19% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 517,362, accounting for 12.44% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 2,907,694, accounting for 69.93% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 1,250,240, accounting for 30.07% of the total population.

9.1 Ethnic Groups

Liuzhou is a multi-ethnic region, with residents belonging to over 30 ethnic groups. Due to ancient wars, migration, intermarriage between Zhuang and Han peoples, and official Sinicization policies since the Qin and Han dynasties, the Han ethnic group has become the largest. The combined population of ethnic minorities such as Zhuang, Miao, Dong, Yao, Hui, and Mulao exceeds 1.8 million, accounting for over 52% of the city's total population. There are two ethnic autonomous counties: Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County and Rongshui Miao Autonomous County. Additionally, there are five ethnic townships: Tongle Miao Ethnic Township and Gaoji Yao Ethnic Township in Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County; Tonglian Yao Ethnic Township and Gunbei Dong Ethnic Township in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County; and Guzhi Mulao Ethnic Township in Liucheng County.

• The Han population originates from various regions of mainland China due to reasons such as wars, land reclamation, and the relocation of modern enterprises. Hunan, Guangdong, Sichuan, Shanghai, and Jiangxi are the main modern sources of population.
• The Zhuang people are mainly distributed in counties and urban districts such as Liujiang, Liucheng, Rong'an, and Luzhai.
• The Miao, Dong, and Yao peoples are mainly distributed in Rongshui and Sanjiang counties.
• The Mulao people are mainly distributed in urban districts and Liujiang and Liucheng counties.
• The Hui people are mainly distributed in urban districts and Luzhai County.

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han population is 1,964,765, accounting for 47.25%; the Zhuang population is 1,481,872, accounting for 35.64%; and other ethnic minority populations total 711,297, accounting for 17.11%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han population increased by 126,117, a growth of 6.86%, with its share of the total population decreasing by 1.66 percentage points. The combined population of all ethnic minorities increased by 273,113, a growth of 14.22%, with their share of the total population increasing by 1.66 percentage points. Among them, the Zhuang population increased by 160,814, a growth of 12.17%, with its share of the total population increasing by 0.49 percentage points; the Miao population increased by 48,981, a growth of 20.41%, with its share of the total population increasing by 0.56 percentage points; the Dong population increased by 35,270, a growth of 14.91%, with its share of the total population increasing by 0.24 percentage points; the Yao population increased by 18,964, a growth of 26.45%, with its share of the total population increasing by 0.27 percentage points.

Ethnic Composition of Liuzhou City (November 2020)

| Ethnic Group | Han | Zhuang | Miao | Dong | Yao | Mulao | Hui | Shui | Maonan | Tujia | Other Ethnic Groups | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Population | 1,964,765 | 1,481,872 | 288,985 | 271,748 | 90,867 | 30,897 | 6,311 | 4,982 | 3,402 | 3,237 | 11,068 | | Percentage of Total Population (%) | 47.25 | 35.64 | 6.95 | 6.54 | 2.18 | 0.74 | 0.15 | 0.12 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.27 | | Percentage of Minority Population (%) | - | 67.57 | 13.18 | 12.39 | 4.13 | 1.41 | 0.29 | 0.23 | 0.16 | 0.15 | 0.50 |

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10. Culture

10.1 Languages

• Guiliu Mandarin: The common language in Liuzhou City is Liuzhou dialect, which belongs to the Guiliu cluster of Southwestern Mandarin. Most of the population can use Guiliu Mandarin and employ it as the lingua franca for communication. Mandarin is also widely used, being the language of instruction in schools and the primary language in most public media. Native speakers of Liuzhou dialect often have an accent when speaking Mandarin; this variant of standard Mandarin is referred to as Liuzhou Mandarin.
• Zhuang Language: Zhuang language is commonly spoken in rural and some urban areas, specifically the Liujiang local dialect of the Northern Zhuang dialect. The literacy rate in written Zhuang is very low. Zhuang script is written using a Latin alphabet-based phonetic system. Speakers of Zhuang can typically learn to read and begin writing in Zhuang script within about three days of familiarizing themselves with the spelling rules.
• Railway Language: Employees of the Liuzhou Railway Bureau and their families use a "Railway Language" that is very similar to Liuzhou Mandarin. The distribution of speakers of this language in Liuzhou largely corresponds with the residential areas of the railway bureau's staff.
• Hakka: The Hakka dialect spoken in the Liuzhou area is called "Magaihua" in Guiliu Mandarin. Magaihua is distributed across central, northern, and western Guangxi, centered around Liuzhou, with speakers also found in Laibin, Guilin, and other areas. According to 1996 data, the number of Magaihua speakers ranges from 500,000 to 1 million. Magaihua exhibits a pattern of wide dispersion with small concentrations, mostly in rural areas but also in some towns. The Magaihua spoken in Liuzhou is significantly influenced by Guiliu Mandarin but can still facilitate simple communication with Hakka speakers from Bobai in Guangxi, Shaoguan in Guangdong, and Meizhou in Guangdong. Hakka people from Bobai, Guangxi, consider Magaihua to be a fusion of Hakka and Guiliu Mandarin, though it remains fully mutually intelligible.
• Pinghua: In Guiliu Mandarin, Pinghua is referred to as "Tuguaihua". Conventionally, Pinghua is divided into Northern Pinghua and Southern Pinghua by using Liuzhou City as the boundary. The differences between the northern and southern varieties are significant, and there are also considerable internal variations within Northern Pinghua. The phonological system of Northern Pinghua does not closely resemble Southwestern Mandarin, Northern Hunan dialects of Guangxi, Hakka, Cantonese, or Min dialects; it shows a high degree of mixture and low mutual intelligibility. Southern Pinghua is heavily influenced by Cantonese in terms of phonetics, vocabulary, and grammar, with relatively minor internal variations. Traditionally, Southern Pinghua was classified under Cantonese, but in 1987, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences categorized Pinghua as a separate Chinese dialect not belonging to Cantonese.
• Cantonese (not limited to Yongxun variety): In Liuzhou's urban districts and some counties along the Liujiang River basin, a small number of residents who speak Cantonese (specifically the Yongxun variety) are distributed along both banks of the river. They are likely descendants of merchants from Nanning or Guiping (or even Wuzhou or Guangdong) who traveled upstream along the river for trade many years ago. Their primary language for communication is Guiliu Mandarin, but they can still use Yongxun Cantonese to communicate. However, overall, the distribution of Yongxun Cantonese speakers in the Liuzhou area remains quite limited.
• Min Language: A small number of residents in Liucheng County and Rong'an County can communicate in Min language at home or with neighbors. Similar to areas in Hechi's Luocheng County, Guigang's Pingnan County, and some parts of Yulin, the ancestors of Min speakers in these regions likely migrated from Fujian to escape war and turmoil in earlier times. These language users report that they can fully understand the Taiwanese variety of Min (often called "Taiyu") when they occasionally hear hosts speak it on Taiwanese variety shows. However, there is a lack of official data and literature regarding the number, distribution, and migration history of Min language users in Guangxi. The population of Min speakers is likely smaller than that of Yongxun Cantonese speakers.

10.2 Cuisine

• Snack Streets: Various snack streets are also a major feature of Liuzhou, such as Qingyun Food Street, which gathers a wide variety of foods. Culinary innovation is constant, with offerings from various regions of China, as well as Japanese, Korean, and some European and American varieties.
• Luosifen (River Snail Rice Noodles): A local specialty rice noodle dish of Liuzhou, primarily found in small, distinctive shops. Each establishment has its own slightly different recipe. The broth is made by simmering river snails. After the noodles are cooked, side dishes are added, along with toppings such as sour bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, peanuts, scallions, fried tofu skin, etc. Sour and spicy seasonings are added according to personal preference, creating a fragrant and spicy flavor that is incredibly satisfying, earning it the title "Liuzhou's Unique Delicacy." Liuzhou natives living away from home often deeply miss its taste. Since the introduction of portable packaged versions, Luosifen has become a bestseller on major online platforms and is even sold in international supermarkets overseas. It has gradually become a characteristic gift item imbued with strong hometown sentiment.
• Yunpian Gao (Cloud Slice Cake): Most famous from Liucheng County, it was already well-known during the Ming Dynasty. Made primarily from glutinous rice and white sugar, with fillings like lard, dried tangerine peel, and osmanthus flowers, it maintains a delicate, soft texture, is snow-white and fragrant. It gets its name because it can be pulled apart into thin slices resembling clouds.
• Suan Cai (Pickled Vegetables): First invented in the late Qin Dynasty, it is a type of pickled vegetable and a local snack of Liuzhou. It uses ingredients like vinegar and sugar to pickle vegetables and fruits, giving it properties believed to promote salivation, aid digestion, have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and relieve fatigue. It is also an important source of natural plant fiber and vitamins. With modern improvements in ingredient selection and production techniques, it has gained even more regional character.
• Sui Liu Pastry Shop: A Western-style pastry company established in 1985. By 2010, it had over 30 locations in Liuzhou, operating both pastry shops and Chinese-Western restaurants, known for their high quality. Their red bean cakes, mung bean cakes, and other pastries are popular for their cooling and heat-relieving properties.
• Rongshui Glutinous Rice Pomelo: Produced in Rongshui County, it has been cultivated since as early as 1755 (the 19th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign). It has thin skin, tender flesh, abundant juice, a sweet taste, and a glutinous rice-like fragrance. It was approved as a Chinese Geographical Indication product on August 27, 2008.
• Dog Meat: As the saying goes, "Let dog meat roll three times in the pot, and even immortals cannot sit still." Regarding regional brands for dog meat, Yanbian dog meat is famous in the north, while Liuzhou dog meat is considered the most fragrant in the south. The fragrance of Liuzhou dog meat comes from its fresh, delicious meat. Dogs are specifically raised for hot pot and slaughtered just before cooking. Some are pre-salted and then coated with special seasonings, resulting in equally rich and flavorful meat. Another reason for its delicious taste is the use of a broth simmered with a blend of natural spices like cinnamon, star anise, and shiitake mushrooms. Moreover, Liuzhou dog meat has a unique characteristic: its skin is crispy, adding a distinctive fragrant and crispy texture.
• Liucheng Taiping Beef Jerky: Legend has it that during the Yuanhe period of the Tang Dynasty, when the famous scholar Liu Zongyuan was demoted to serve as the prefect of Liuzhou, he and his companions passed through what is now the Taiping area. Seeing it was getting late, they stayed at a small inn run by a family named Xu. The hospitable host served them homemade wine and their ancestral secret recipe beef jerky ("niu la ba"). The spicy, crispy, and endlessly回味 beef jerky paired wonderfully with the wine. Unconsciously, Prefect Liu became quite drunk. Waking the next day, he found the wine and beef jerky on the table completely gone. Prefect Liu sighed, "Upon sobering up, the beef jerky is nowhere to be seen!" ("Jiu xing bu jian niu la ba a!"). Hence, the典故 "Upon sobering up, the beef jerky is gone" originated. Whether called "niu la ba" or beef jerky, it is dry and flavorful, with many口味可供选择, including spicy and original flavors. The flavorful jerky sprinkled with white sesame seeds creates an unforgettable taste.
• Ma Dagun (Horse Rolling): This interestingly named snack is said to have been invented by people from Rong'an and later became commonly available in state-owned snack shops in Liuzhou. Made from glutinous rice flour, bean flour, sesame seeds, and brown sugar powder, it resembles tangyuan (sweet rice balls). To eat, it is rolled several times in soybean flour. It is hot, tender, smooth, and deliciously fragrant. The most famous version was created by an elderly couple surnamed Peng from Hunan, who sold it from pushcarts on the streets and alleys of Liuzhou, mainly near Qingyun, the book market, Dongmen, and major parks. Because they always adhered to using fresh ingredients and handmade methods, the pre-made Ma Dagun is placed in a rolling drum, given a roll, and emerges coated in fruit powder, making it very popular with customers. They also offered seasonal snacks like oil doughnut skewers and lotus seed paste. Due to the摊位的不固定, finding these delicious treats often requires being a regular customer in the know.

10.3 Specialties

• Liuzhou Coffins: Since the Northern Song Dynasty, timber from upstream Rongshui and Sanjiang was traded in Liuzhou, making Liuzhou wood famous. The wood used for Liuzhou coffins is called "yousha shanmu" (oil-sand fir). It sinks in water, resists decay in soil, is fragrant like catalpa or cypress, and has a color like ancient bronze. These fir logs have large diameters, allowing the four pieces (top, bottom, left, right) of a coffin to be made from a single, continuous piece of wood without拼接. After crafting, the coffin is coated with multiple layers of熟桐油 (processed tung oil) or raw lacquer, resulting in excellent quality and beautiful form. (Yufeng Wenshi, 1993) Due to their superior quality, dense and sturdy yet lightweight wood that avoids rodent and insect damage, and ability to remain intact underground for a century, they were once畅销大江南北 during the盛行厚葬之风 era. Hence, the ancient Chinese saying流传: "Be born in Suzhou, live in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, die in Liuzhou." In the late 1960s, with the government promoting cremation, traditional coffins lost their purpose, and the Liuzhou coffin industry gradually declined. After the改革开放, they were transformed into exquisite miniature coffin工艺品. Crafted from high-quality rosewood, they feature bright colors and辅助 carvings of dragons, phoenixes,福 (fortune),寿 (longevity), etc., with sizes ranging from 2 cm to 30 cm. Each piece is an artistic masterpiece with精巧造型,工细雕镂,秀雅纹饰, and an莹洁闪亮 appearance. They look贵气十足 and富喜气, suitable for display on a desk. The lid can be opened and closed to store seals, gold, jade, jewelry, etc., making them十分雅致. The工艺品棺材寓意 "rising in rank and making a fortune" (升官发财) and are often given as gifts.
• Strange Stones: Longcheng (a poetic name for Liuzhou), renowned as a "natural giant盆景," not only has奇丽山水风光 but also abounds in特色观光奇石, with large reserves, numerous varieties, and good quality. The民间自古玩石成风, and for a long time, there has been the saying "Liuzhou's strange stones are the finest under heaven." Liu Zongyuan mentioned in his Shanshui Ji (山水记): "Below the龙壁, there are many秀石可砚 (elegant stones suitable for inkstones)." Han Yu also used "white stones齿齿" in his Luochi Miao Bei (罗池庙碑) to describe the奇 of Liuzhou's mountain stones. Liuzhou City has become recognized by赏石界人士 nationwide and even across Southeast Asia as the "City of Strange Stones,"初步 forming a unique "stone玩产业."Within the city, there are "three halls and four markets" including the Bagui Rare Stone Museum, Yufeng Fine Stone Collection Museum, Liuhou Bonsai and Stone Collection Museum, Ma'anshan Rare Stone Market, Liuzhou Rare Stone City, China Stone Capital, and Longcheng Stone Capital.
• Brocade: The four ethnic minorities in Liuzhou each have their own distinctive and colorful brocades, namely: Zhuang brocade, Dong brocade, Miao brocade, and Yao brocade. Among them, Zhuang brocade had already become a tribute to the imperial court as early as the Tang Dynasty, while Miao brocade is hailed as "a brilliant colorful cloud" in Chinese brocade. Brocade is the most representative textile handicraft of Liuzhou's ethnic minorities. Due to the different environments and aesthetic concepts of each ethnic group, the brocades also exhibit their own unique styles, either gorgeous and elegant or simple and generous, fully showcasing their charm.

10.4 Intangible Cultural Heritage

Liuzhou preserves multiple intangible cultural heritage items, including three that are recognized across the entire Guangxi region, reflecting rich ethnic characteristics and the cultural heritage accumulated by the city itself.

• National-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage: Dong Grand Song (Liuzhou City, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County), Guiju Opera (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Caidiao Opera (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Zhuang Opera (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Dong Wooden Architecture Construction Techniques (Liuzhou City, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County), Miao Series Slope Fair Groups (Rongshui Miao Autonomous County)
• Autonomous Region-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage: Liuzhou Folk Songs, Gaosha Gongs and Drums, Dong Opera
• Municipal-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage: Rongshui Miao Lusheng Horse Fighting, Luzhai Pingshan Folk Songs, Liucheng Traditional Folk Songs, Liujiang Zhuang Shigong Dance, Rong'an County Chang'an Wenchang, Sanjiang County Firecracker Festival, Dong Hundred-Family Banquet, Dong Embroidery, Dong Medicine, Dong Kuan Culture, Dong Musical Instruments, Liuzhou Luosifen Handmade Craftsmanship

10.5 Festivals

Liuzhou City is a multi-ethnic region with a variety of festivals:

• Spring Festival (Lunar New Year's Day): Generally a time for returning home to visit relatives and gather.
• Lantern Festival (15th day of the first lunar month): Fireworks displays are often held at centralized locations such as the city center square, with magnificent displays. Activities like lantern riddles are also held simultaneously.
• Firecracker Festival (3rd day of the first lunar month, 3rd day of the second lunar month, and 3rd day of the third lunar month): A traditional Dong festival featuring activities like "grabbing the green." Lion dance teams visit households, and in front of each house, a human ladder of over ten people is formed, with the lion head biting gifts wrapped in leaves extended from the courtyard on bamboo poles. Firecrackers are set off immediately upon success to celebrate. The largest-scale celebration is in Fulu Town, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, at the border of Guizhou, Hunan, and Guangxi, often attracting tens of thousands of participants.
• Mangao Festival (17th and 18th days of the first lunar month): A traditional Miao festival. Mangao is a deity in Miao legend, with a strange and terrifying appearance and boundless magical power. Those dressed as Mangao wear "grass raincoats" and masks, dancing to the accompaniment of Lusheng, known as the Mangao dance.
• Song Fair Festival (3rd day of the third lunar month): The third day of the third lunar month is the Zhuang Song Fair Festival, where love is expressed through antiphonal singing and throwing embroidered balls. Yufeng Mountain and Jiangbin Park are the main venues, offering five-color rice and colored eggs. The Standing Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Government passed a resolution to include the Zhuang March Third Festival as a statutory holiday in Guangxi starting from 2014, with two days off each year on the third day of the third lunar month.
• Lusheng Festival (27th day of the ninth lunar month): A Miao festival lasting one week. Men wear buttoned or right-lapel short jackets and long pants, with green cloth headbands, wide belts, and hold Lusheng, suona, and bronze drums. Women wear embroidered dresses with various patterns, green headbands, embroidered colorful belts, and silver ornaments, dancing around the erected Lusheng pillar.
• Panwang Festival (16th day of the tenth lunar month): A Yao festival to worship their ancestor Panhu. The "Panwang dance" ceremony is held, with participants wearing traditional costumes and holding long drums about 80 cm long to accompany the dance, performed as duets or quartets. The songs are mainly "Panwang Songs," dedicated to pleasing the gods.
• Horse Fighting Festival (November 26th solar calendar): A festival of the Miao and Yao ethnic groups. It is said to originate from matchmaking activities five hundred years ago and later evolved into a public event.

10.6 Scenic Spots and Historical Sites

10.6.1 Ancient Human Sites

• Liucheng Gigantopithecus Cave: Located on Lengzhai Mountain in Shechong Township, Liucheng County, three mandibles and over 1,000 tooth fossils of Gigantopithecus were discovered here, representing more than seventy individuals. Gigantopithecus lies between apes and humans, belonging to the hominid system, and is of significant value for studying human origin and evolution.
• Liujiang Man Site: Belonging to the late Paleolithic period, with disputed specific age. Located 12 km from downtown Liuzhou and 2 km from the Bailian Cave site, it includes a complete human skull and some limb bones. Liujiang Man exhibits characteristics of primitive Mongoloids, belonging to an early type, and may have some relationship with late Paleolithic humans in Japan. It is one of the earliest late Homo sapiens fossils discovered in East Asia, indicating that Lingnan might be one of the birthplaces of the Paleo-Mongoloid race. Animal fossils include those of Stegodon and giant pandas.
• Bailian Cave Site: Spanning from the late Paleolithic through the Mesolithic to the early Neolithic period, covering a time span of 37,000–7,000 years. Located 12 km southwest of the city. It houses China's first cave museum, the Bailian Cave Science Museum, now known as the Bailian Cave Ancient Human Site Museum. Excavations yielded 3,550 animal bone fossils, 390 tooth fossils, stone tools, stone ornaments, primitive sand-tempered pottery shards, and traces of ancient human fire use. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.
• Ganqian Rock Site: Belonging to the late Paleolithic period. Over ten human tooth fossils were unearthed, showing Mongoloid characteristics and primitive features compared to modern humans. Animal fossils include nineteen species such as orangutan, gibbon, macaque, Chinese bear, giant panda, hyena, South China porcupine, hog badger, wolf, giant tapir, Chinese rhinoceros, Stegodon, and Asian elephant, belonging to the giant panda-Stegodon fauna, dating to the late Pleistocene.
• Liyuzui Site: Located in Longtan Park in the southern part of the city. The Dalongtan human bones belong to the Mesolithic period, dating back about 12,000–7,000 years. Other cultural layers belong to two superimposed cultural accumulations from the early to late Neolithic period, dating back about 7,000 years. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.
• Xiangshui Site: A terrace site from the early Neolithic period, located about 7 km south of Liuzhou City, designated as a municipal key cultural relics protection unit.
• Jiuhushan Site: The upper layer consists of hard-cemented gray shell middens, with some cultural layers covered by collapsed stone flakes from the cave walls.
• Lanjiacun Site: Belonging to the early Neolithic period. A total of 146 stone tools were discovered in the first cultivated soil layer and the second cultural layer. Pottery shards were densely distributed, with 943 pieces found, mostly decorated with coarse cord patterns from stamping.
• Jiutoushan Site: Not far from the Jiutoushan Han tombs. Fifty-eight pottery shards and one stone axe were discovered. The pottery shards are severely damaged and are sand-tempered coarse pottery.
• Liuzhou Luguling Site: An early Neolithic terrace site. The stratigraphy and cultural relics are basically consistent with those of the Lanjiacun Site. There are also nine terrace sites that have been surveyed but not excavated.
• Wuzhaishan Man: Belonging to the late Neolithic period.
• Miaogongshan Site: The stream 10 meters in front of the karst cave formed earlier than the Quaternary period. A shell midden was found inside the cave, along with one chipped stone tool (chopper).
• Other Sites: Luowei Site, Liujiang Zhoudong Site, Ancient City Site, Tantouling Site, Dudengcun Site, Gongdiancun Site, Chenjiayan Site, Zengjiacun Site, Siduoyan Site, etc.

10.6.2 Eight Scenes of Liuzhou

According to the "Maping County Annals" from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the ancient eight scenes of Liuzhou are: Fish Leaping in South Pond, Heavenly Horse Soaring in the Sky, Pen Peak Rising in Emerald Green, Waterfall Flying from Goose Mountain, Moonlit Night at Luo Pond, Evening Glow at East Terrace, Clear Mist at Crane Riding, and Waves Returning at Dragon Wall. In the seventh year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1637 AD), the famous traveler Xu Xiake visited Liuzhou in search of "Moonlit Night at Luo Pond," indicating that the naming of the eight scenes of Liuzhou should be no later than the mid-Ming Dynasty.

• Liyu Peak Scenic Area (Fish Leaping in South Pond among the eight scenes)
• Ma'anshan Park (Heavenly Horse Soaring in the Sky among the eight scenes)
• Wenbi Mountain (Pen Peak Rising in Emerald Green among the eight scenes)
• Eshan Park (Waterfall Flying from Goose Mountain among the eight scenes)
• Liuhou Park (Moonlit Night at Luo Pond among the eight scenes)
• Longxu Cliff (Evening Glow at East Terrace among the eight scenes)
• Jiahe Xiaotaoyuan (Clear Mist at Crane Riding among the eight scenes)
• Longbi Mountain (Waves Returning at Dragon Wall among the eight scenes)

10.6.3 Historical Sites of the Eight Worthies of Liuzhou in the Ming Dynasty

• Longtan Park: Zhang Chong's cliff inscriptions and fishing spot.
• Zhang Chong's Tomb: Located in Youzha Village, Liudong Township, Liuzhou.
• Dai Qin's Tomb: Located at the foot of Yufeng Mountain in Yufeng Mountain Park, Liuzhou.
• Memorial Arch for Pleading for the People: Long Wenguang Memorial Arch. Located at the cross street of North Gate, Liuzhou.
• She Chongfeng's Tomb: Located in Shewan Village.
• Lianxian Memorial Arch: She Mianxue Memorial Arch. In Liuzhou (now west of Liuxin Street).
• Tomb of She Mianxue's Wife, Madame Luo: Located in Shewan Village.
• She Li's Tomb: She Li participated in suppressing the Japanese invasion during the Renchen period.

10.6.4 Qing Dynasty Guildhalls in Liuzhou

• Guangdong Guildhall: Located within the old campus of Liuzhou High School.
• Hunan Guildhall: Now within Jingxing Primary School.
• Jiangxi Guildhall: Now within the Mass Art Center of the Twelfth Middle School.
• Fujian Guildhall: Near the current Liuzhou Theater.
• Luling Guildhall: Near Qiaojia Lane on Qingyun Road.#### 10.6.5 Riverside Scenery and Recreational Facilities
• Panlongshan Park: Bordering the Liujiang River, the park features the "Wenguang Pagoda" and "Panlong Pagoda" on the hill, forming part of the Liujiang River nightscape.
• Panlongshan Artificial Waterfall Group: The world's largest artificial waterfall group.
• Liujiang River Water Music Fountain: The world's largest lifting floating music fountain.
• Liujiang Pearl Water Stage: Located on the north bank of the Liujiang River.
• Jiangbin Park: Situated along the banks of the Liujiang River.

10.6.6 Unique Stone Culture

• Jianpanshan Unique Stone Garden: China's largest specialized garden for unique stones.
• Liuzhou Unique Stone City: A Chinese ornamental stone base.

10.6.7 Other Natural and Cultural Landscapes in the Urban Area

• Liuzhou East Gate Tower: Part of the Liuzhou city wall, initially built in the 12th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1379 AD).
• Liuzhou Zhennan Gate Ancient City Wall: Remnants of the Ming Dynasty city wall, located in the middle section of Shuguang Road.
• Site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea: Served as the office for the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea from November 1938 to May 1939.
• Ho Chi Minh's Former Residence: Includes historical sites related to Ho Chi Minh during World War II: the former site of Lequn Club, the Panlongshan Detention Center, and the Red Building.
• Liuzhou Mosque: An Islamic architectural structure initially built in the 12th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1673 AD).
• Longtan Park: A national 4A-level tourist attraction integrating karst landscapes, Tang and Song cultural sites such as the place where Liu Zongyuan offered sacrifices to heaven, Southwest ethnic minority customs, and botanical research and education.
• Dule Caves: Karst landscape caves.
• Que'er Mountain Park: A large park featuring modern recreational facilities like a water world amusement center.
• Liuzhou Martyrs' Cemetery: Originally Yangjiaoshan Cemetery, established in 1955 at the north slope of Leitang in Dalongtan Park. The cemetery was relocated in February 1995 to Pangxie Hill, southwest of Leipiling, at No. 18 Liutai Road. It is a national key protected unit for martyr memorial buildings.

10.6.8 Counties and Autonomous Counties under Liuzhou City

The northern part of Liuzhou is part of the natural and cultural scenic area of northeastern Guangxi, including Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, and Rong'an County, characterized primarily by karst landscapes.

10.6.8.1 Rongshui Miao Autonomous County

• Eight Scenes of Rongcheng: Evening Rain on Rongjiang River, Night Moon over West Tower, Verdant Layers of Xiangshan, Anling Dragon Pool, Yuhua Immortal Cave, Solitary Elegant Green Peak, Water-Moon Cave Heaven, and Roses of Nanyuan.
• Laojun Cave Scenic Area: Also known as Zhenxian Rock, Lingcheng Rock, and Lingyan. It features karst landscapes. The garden and religious buildings were initially constructed during the Tang and Song dynasties.
• Yuanbao Mountain National Forest Park: A natural and cultural scenic area integrating China's unique millennium-old fir trees, the over 300-meter-high Yancaiyun Waterfall, Miao, Yao, and Dong villages, and terraced fields.
• Bei River: Approximately 146 kilometers long, featuring numerous pools and rapids, with multi-ethnic historical and cultural landscapes along its banks.

10.6.8.2 Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County

• Chengyang Eight Villages: A Dong architectural complex featuring characteristics of the original Baiyue people's stilted buildings and influences from Chu culture.
• Sanjiang Wind and Rain Bridges: There are 110 wind and rain bridges in this autonomous county, representing Dong architecture.
• Sanjiang Drum Towers: There are 186 drum towers within Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, representing Dong architecture.

10.6.8.3 Rong'an County

• Black Tea Gully Forest Park: Located 3 kilometers west of Rong'an county town. It grows national first-class rare protected plants like Cyathea spinulosa. The scenery changes with the seasons.
• Baizhu Mountain Primeval Forest Scenic Area: The forest area contains rare tree species such as Pinus armandii, ornamental bamboo, square bamboo, black bamboo, and various animals including wild ox, South China tiger, pangolin, and giant salamander.

10.6.8.4 Liucheng County

• Kaishan Temple: 40 kilometers from Liuzhou city. Initially built in the 10th year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1805 AD), featuring 18 ancient banyan trees nearly a hundred years old.
• Song Dynasty Kiln Site: Located along the Rongjiang River from Luoya to Fengshan.
• Gigantopithecus Cave: Located on Lengzhai Mountain, south of Shechong Village, Shechong Township. It yielded 3 individual Gigantopithecus fossils and over 1,000 Gigantopithecus tooth fossils.

10.6.8.5 Luzhai County

• Xiangqiao Rock Scenic Area: Features natural landscapes such as natural bridge caves.
• White Elephant Rock: Located in Zhongdu Town. A limestone cave. The cave's name was inscribed during the Southern Song Dynasty.
• Xiangshui: Located in Dazhao Village, Zhongdu Town. The rushing water at the rapids creates sound; not far from the rapids is a waterfall called Xiangshui Waterfall, with a water flow about 100 meters wide.

10.7 Sports Activities

10.7.1 Water Sports

Leveraging the Liujiang River, Liuzhou has hosted various water competitions for many years:

Chinese Dragon Boat Competition Finals (2009)

International Aquatic-Speed Competition (IAC):

• Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup series (IWWF event): Held again in Liuzhou from October 1 to 3, 2011.
• F1 Powerboat World Championship (Technical support: Italian Mercury Marine company), held again in Liuzhou on October 2, 2011.

Aquabike World Championship: Held again in Liuzhou from October 5 to 6, 2011.

Guangxi Liuzhou Water Sports Training Base of the Water Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China: Includes the "National Water Sports Training Base," "Liuzhou Motorboat Sports Association," and "Liuzhou Motorboat Club." The state arranges training for water sports such as motorboating, water skiing, fin swimming, extreme sports, swimming (diving, water polo, open water swimming), triathlon, dragon boating, and fishing here. Additional recreational services like specialty dining, tea bars, pubs, and board/card games are also provided.

10.7.2 Other Sports

Liuzhou city has numerous sports venues, providing relatively ample facilities for sports such as table tennis, badminton, football, basketball, bowling, golf, shooting, skating, swimming, weightlifting, and gymnastics.

10.8 Modern and Contemporary Architecture

10.8.1 Liuzhou Bridges

As of 2019, there are twenty-one bridges in the urban area of Liuzhou:- Liujiang Grand Bridge on the Hunan-Guangxi Railway (Constructed 1939–1940, rebuilt August 30, 1950): First opened to traffic in 1941. Following the Japanese occupation of Guangzhou and Wuhan in October 1938, which cut off the supply of imported steel and cement, bridge expert Luo Ying proposed a design using available materials. The manufacturing was undertaken by the Suqiao Machinery Factory under Lang Zhonglai. Destroyed by Japanese forces on November 7, 1944, and rebuilt by August 30, 1950, it is currently the longest-serving bridge in Liuzhou City.

• Liujiang Bridge (Constructed 1966–1968): The first urban road bridge in Liuzhou City to span the Liujiang River, and the first large-span prestressed reinforced concrete bridge in mainland China designed and constructed independently using a T-shaped cantilever and suspended beam system. As the first highway bridge across the Liujiang River in Liuzhou, it is commonly referred to as "First Bridge," with subsequent bridges numbered sequentially (e.g., "Second Bridge," "Third Bridge").
• Hedong Bridge (Completed 1984): With a total length of 776.6 meters, it is the longest and heaviest box girder highway bridge in mainland China, commonly known as "Second Bridge."
• Jinglan Bridge (Constructed 1990–1992): The first reinforced concrete box-rib arch highway bridge in Guangxi, with a total length of 551.32 meters.
• Wenhui Bridge (Constructed 1993–1994): The first half-through concrete-filled steel tubular arch bridge in Guangxi, with a total length of 587 meters.
• Huxi Bridge (Completed 1994): A cable-stayed bridge with a length of 700 meters, commonly known as "Fourth Bridge."
• Luowei Bridge (Constructed 1996–1998): A continuous rigid-frame bridge with spans of 80 m + 125 m + 80 m, dedicated to the G72 Liuzhou-Nanning Expressway.
• Wenchang Bridge (Constructed 2003–2004): Connecting Wenchang West Road in the east to Youyi Road in the west, it serves as a vital link between the Hedong area and the city center. The bridge is 1,713 meters long, with a main span of 583 meters and a width of 29.5 meters, featuring four lanes for motor vehicles in both directions.
• Hongguang Bridge (Constructed 2002–2004): A suspension bridge with a total length of 1,040 meters, currently the longest single-span bridge in Liuzhou City.
• Shuangchong Bridge (Constructed 2002–2004): With a total length of 4,088 meters, it is the bridge with the most lanes and the longest overall length in Liuzhou City.
• Yanghe Bridge (Constructed 2003–2004): A prestressed reinforced concrete continuous box girder bridge, with a main span of 575 meters and a width of 30.5 meters.
• Sanmenjiang Bridge (Constructed 2003–2004): A double-tower, double-cable-plane partially cable-stayed bridge, with a main span of 360 meters and a width of 41 meters.
• Luosiling Bridge (Completed 2005): A major bridge on the G78 Northern Ring Expressway of the Liuzhou Ring Expressway, spanning over 650 meters. It stretches from Luosiling in Shatang Town in the east to Lunan Village in Luoman Town, Liujiang County, in the west, with a total length of 651.5 meters and a width of 29.6 meters. The roadway is 26 meters wide, accommodating four lanes in both directions, with 1.5-meter sidewalks on each side. The bridge features a continuous steel girder structure, similar to the Luowei Expressway Bridge downstream on the Liujiang River.
• Zhegujiang Bridge (Completed 2012): Also known as Shuangyong Bridge, opened to traffic on August 6, 2012. It is China's first single-main-cable inclined hanger ground-anchored suspension bridge, with a total length of 1,937 meters. The main bridge, made of steel box structure, spans 510 meters, with a main span of 430 meters crossing the river in a single leap. The main tower is an A-shaped three-dimensional variable-section steel box structure, standing 105 meters tall with a sag-to-span ratio of 1/9. The total cost was 730 million yuan, with a construction period of 30 months.
• Bailu Bridge (Constructed 2009–2012): Originally named Weiyi Bridge, located near Weiyi Village in Bailu Township, Liubei District, Liuzhou City, Guangxi. It is part of the Northern Outer Ring Road and serves as a critical crossing over the Liujiang River. The bridge features a steel truss arch structure, with a total investment exceeding 600 million yuan. It used 14,000 tons of steel and 100,000 cubic meters of concrete. Spanning east-west, the bridge is 2,090 meters long, with a main bridge length of 504 meters and a main span of 288 meters. It is 43.5 meters wide, accommodating six lanes in both directions. The deck is about 20 meters above the river surface, and the maximum vertical distance between the main arch crown and the deck is 51 meters. It is the first steel truss arch highway bridge to cross the river in Liuzhou. Construction began on June 1, 2009, with a contract period of 28 months, and it opened to traffic on August 6, 2012.
• Guangya Bridge (Completed 2013): With a width of 30 meters and a roadway of 24 meters, it accommodates six lanes in both directions. The eastern end connects to the intersection of Guangya Road and Yaru Road, while the western end connects to the intersection of Motan Road and Hexi Road.
• Liujiang Double-Track Grand Bridge (Completed 2013): An electrified railway bridge constructed by China Railway 25th Bureau Group, a key control project for the Hunan-Guangxi Railway expansion and upgrading. Designed for a speed of 200 km/h, with a maximum speed of 250 km/h.
• Longtou Liujiang Grand Bridge (Completed 2017): Located in Longtou Village, Baisha Town, downstream of the Liujiang River, it is a critical bridge for the G6511 Wuzhou-Liuzhou Expressway to cross the Liujiang River.
• Baisha Bridge (Completed 2018): Spanning from Yuejin Road in the west to Gaosanxin Road in the east, the bridge has a total length of 1,920 meters and a main span of 400 meters. The deck is a six-lane urban arterial road in both directions, with a design speed of 50 km/h. The total project investment was 1.3884691 billion yuan.
• Guantang Bridge (Completed 2018): With a total length of approximately 1.2 kilometers, the bridge connects Lianhua Avenue in the west and crosses the Liujiang River to link with the road network of Liudong New District. It is an urban expressway bridge designed for a speed of 80 km/h, with six lanes in both directions.

10.8.2 Hydropower Stations

• Honghua Hydropower Station (Completed 2006): Located near Honghua Village, Liyong Forest Farm, in the lower reaches of the Liujiang River, 35 kilometers from Labao Town and 25 kilometers from downtown Liuzhou. It generates 902 million kWh of electricity annually. The water level in the Liuzhou section of the river has been raised by 4–5 meters, allowing 1,000-ton ships to travel directly from Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangzhou Port to Liuzhou Port. Related terminals include Zhegujiang Terminal, Yanghe Terminal (near Yanghe Industrial New District), and Guantang Terminal. The riverside scenery in Liuzhou has been transformed as a result.

10.8. Recreational Facilities on the Liujiang River

• Liujiang River Water Music Fountain: The world's largest lifting floating music fountain.
• Panlong Mountain Artificial Waterfall Group: The world's largest artificial waterfall group.
• Liujiang Pearl Water Stage

11. Friendly Cities

11.1 Sister Cities

• Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
• Muntinlupa City, Philippines
• Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
• Cincinnati, USA
• Passau, Germany

4. 城市规划

柳州市将按一主三新（主城区、柳东新区、北部新区、柳江新区）的模式在改造原有柳州半岛主城区基础上，新建柳东新区（阳和工业园、柳州汽车城），北部生态新区，柳江新区。

柳州半岛已建成311米的柳州地王国际财富中心与254米的柳州保利国际中心等超高层建筑，以及五星步行街、步步高购物中心等商业集聚区，再进行高强度开发将会对柳州半岛区域产生过大的压力，故柳州市提出“一主三新”，将产业向市区外扩散。

柳东新区包括多个新企业总部及住宅项目建设工程，柳州汽车城将建设东风柳汽，上汽通用五菱及一汽集团的多个生产、研发、会展、住宅项目，同时也建设了广西科技大学柳东校区、广西科技大学鹿山学院等高等院校、柳州铁一中学柳东校区、柳州二中、柳州铁一中学初中部等基础教育设施，柳州妇幼保健院（柳州儿童医院）等民生设施也在稳步推进中。

北部生态新区是当前市政府主推新区，以工业设计、科技研发、电子信息产业等生态友好型产业为主，目前正在建设柳州广西工业设计城、电子科技大学广西智能制造研究院等项目。

柳江新区为柳江区主导的新区，以传统制造业、物流业为主，目前已与志高集团签约建设粤桂智能家电集聚区，与香港毅德国际控股集团签约建设柳州毅德城。

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In the fourth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (621 AD), Maping County served as the seat of Kunzhou, which was later renamed Nankunzhou and belonged to the Lingnan Circuit. In the eighth year of the Zhenguan era of Emperor Taizong of Tang (634 AD), Nankunzhou was renamed Liuzhou, marking the beginning of the name Liuzhou.

Central District

Yufeng District

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Azalea, Bougainvillea (2010)
Hong Kong Orchid Tree (2018)

Small-leaved Banyan, Willow (2010) Small-leaved Banyan (2018)