Facts about Jiuquan

Located at the west end of the Hexi Corridor, Jiuquan was one of the four prefectures established in the area west of the Yellow River in Gansu during the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D 24). Jiuquan, literally meaning wine spring,has a story behind its name. When he was stationed in what is present-day Jiuquan, General Huo Qubing who lived during the Western Han period receivec a jar of wine from the emperor. Because the wine was not enough to go round among his men, heed it  into a spring fountain so that one and all could have a share of it. Hence the name of Jiuquan. Jiuquan was known as Suzhou in the Sui Dynasty (581-618).

Measuring 680 kilometers from east to west and 550 kilometers from north to south, it boasts seven groups of grottoes including those at Mogao and Yulin, more than 27 sites of ancient towns and strongholds, 13 well-preserved sections of the Great Wall, 100 beacon towers, and over 30 ancient temple structures. The average annual temperature is between 3.9 ℃ and 9.3 ℃. With the Sulei, Heihe, and Haleteng rivers running through the area, Jiuquan has a flourishing oasis agriculture.