Zhoukou

Taiqing Palace in Luyi county of Zhoukou city, birthplace of Laozi. [Photo/Information Office of Henan Provincial People's Government]

Located in southeastern Henan, Zhoukou covers an area of 11,959 square kilometers with a permanent resident population of 9,026,015 (the 7th national census) and administers 1 county-level city, 7 counties and 2 districts.

Zhoukou has a long history and abundant tourism resources. Laozi, a great ideologist in ancient China and founder of the philosophy of Taoism, was born here. Every year, a large number of tourists come to visit the Native Place of Laozi and Taihao Mausoleum in Huaiyang, which are national 4A scenic spots, and Guandi Temple, one national 3A scenic spot. Longhu Lake, a National Wetland Park in Huaiyang, also enjoys good reputation.

Zhoukou has a complete industrial system with dominating industries in food processing, textile and garments, pharmaceutical, chemical and distinctive industries in electric power, machinery, fur and leather. "Lotus" brand monosodium glutamate produced by Lotus Health Group has successively got twenty-four gold awards at home and abroad and the output of it ranks first in the world. "Songhe" brand baijiu (a Chinese alcoholic beverage made from grain) produced by Henan Songhe Wine-marketing Industry Co., Ltd. has won the national gold award and is named a national liquor. Zhoukou's position as a large production base of commodity grain and quality cotton is attributed to its rich agricultural resources. Yellow cattle in Zhoukou, goats in Huaidian Town and donkeys in Huaiyang County are all famous and fine breeds in China.

Zhoukou enjoys convenient transportation and expressways in Zhoukou have grown to 496 kilometers with the construction of Zhoukou-Nanyang Expressway and the completion of Xinzheng-Zhoukou Expressway and several highways, namely Zhoukou-Xihua Highway, Zhoukou-Huaiyang Highway and Dancheng-Huaiyang Highway. Luohe-Fuyang Railway has been upgraded to a national-level railway and Zhoukou Civil Airport has been approved by the State Council while the construction of Zhoukou Xihua General Aviation Airport is in steady progress.

Zhoukou has established the sister city relationship with Taio City of Brazil.