Luoyang

Peony flowers in Luoyang are the best in the world. [Photo/Information Office of Henan Provincial People's Government]

Located in western Henan, Luoyang is a National Historical and Cultural City and a renowned ancient capital. It covers an area of 15,230 square kilometers with a permanent resident population of 7,056,699 (the 7th national census) and administers 7 districts and 7 counties.

As the oldest ancient capital in China, Luoyang has served as a capital for thirteen dynasties, the greatest number of its kind. It enjoys abundant tourism resources, including the renowned Longmen Grottoes and White-Horse Temple. The former is inscribed upon the UNESCO World Heritage List and the latter was the first Buddhist temple established by the government. The annual Luoyang Peony Fair held in April serves both as a window to display the city and Henan's opening-up to the outside world.

Luoyang is a modernized industrial city with a strong industrial base and great scientific strength. With advanced equipment manufacturing, new material, high-end petrochemical, electronic information and tourism as its mainstay, Luoyang is vigorously fostering the growth of emerging industries like robotics and smart manufacturing, new energy, bio-medicine and modern logistics. The city is home to a large number of competitive companies, including Luoyang Petrochemical Engineering Corporation, CITIC Heavy Industries Corporation, YTO Group Corporation and Chinalco Luoyang Copper Corporation. It also serves as an important national base for scientific research and development, new material production and high-end equipment manufacturing. Luoyang leads the country in high-tech industry, especially in such field as new materials, aerospace and electronic information.

Luoyang has always been "the heart and thoroughfare of China” since ancient times. It's a transport hub in central and western China, linking the East and the West and connecting the North and the South.

Luoyang has set up sister city relationship with seven cities, including Okayama of Japan, Tours of France, La Crosse of America and Togliatti of Russia.