Population: 2,268,800

Area: 3,317 square kilometers (1,281square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 4 districts (Jinghu, Yijiang, Jiujiang, Sanshan); 3 counties (Wuhu, Fanchang, Nanling)

Useful Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0553-3817720
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiries: 184
Bank of China: 0553-3834089

Location: Wuhu City is located in the southeast of Anhui Province, on the south bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It is 119 kilometers (74 miles) from the capital city of the province, Hefei. It neighbors Jianghuai Plain to the north and the mountainous area of south Anhui. The Yangtze River crosses the city from southwest to northeast.

Physical Features: The city stands on the alluvial plain of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and is comprised of floodplains, terraces, and low hills. The predominant geographical feature of the area is alluvial plain, and because of its plentiful supply of water the town has always been considered a production center for both fish and rice.

Climatic Features: Wuhu is in the subtropical zone and enjoys a humid monsoon climate with plenty of sunshine and rainfall. Its annual average temperature is 15-16C (59-61F). January is the coldest month and August is the hottest. The rainy season in the city extends from spring to early winter with the heaviest concentration usually from mid-June to early July.

When to go: Autumn is usually the best time to visit Wuhu as the weather is cool and the chrysanthemums are in blossom.

History: Wuhu was known as Jiuci during the Spring and Autumn Periods (770BC-576BC) for its abundance of cooers, ponds and lakes. Its present name dates from the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD), and it has been reputed as a land of fish and rice since the Song Dynasty (960-1279). During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it became a flourishing commercial center attracting a myriad of businessmen.

Culture: The great poet Li Bai spent his late life in Wuhu, it is said, due to its striking landscape. Li Bai was born in a Central Asian town and raised in the southwestern China. Xie Tiao, one of the most distinctive Six Dynasty poets whom he greatly admired, left many poems when holding positions here.

        In the Tang dynasty (619-907), the poet Du Mu wrote a famous poem Thoughts on Staying Again at Wuhu. A factory in Wuhu carries on the local craft of making wrought iron pictures. Other local handicrafts are embossed lacquerware and rice straw pith patchwork. A famous stone tablet in Wuhu recording local events of the Song dynasty period (ca. 1000 AD) is considered to be a masterpiece of the renowned calligrapher Mi Fu. In the Western world, Wuhu is now known as the home city to many adopted Chinese children.

Folklore: An itinerant blacksmith named Tang Tianchi is reputed to have invented the wrought-iron picture in Wuhu, when a painter whom he admired chided him, "You will never make pictures by beating iron."

        Another blacksmith of the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC) named Gan Jiang was famous for sword making. Zhe Shan (Reddish Brown Hill) is said to get its colour from the flames of Gan Jiang's furnace. Sheng Shan (Sacred Hill) is the legendary location of his sword grinding rock and tempering pool.

Scenic Spots:
Zheshan Park: This is a major tourist destination combining entertainment, historical and scenic attractions, such as a zoo, children's playground, garden, watchtower, and pavilion. Included amongst these attractions is Guangji Temple, constructed during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) it is a famous Buddhist site in Anhui Province.
Other scenic Spots: Tianmenshan Mountain, Jinghu Park, Ma Renqi Mountain, Jiu Zi Plaza, Wuhu Olympic Stadium, Yangtze River Bridge

Food: Wuhu and Anqing are noted centers of the Yanjiang cuisine. It specializes in freshwater fish and poultry, and features special techniques of chopping, shaping, and colouring. The flavour of Yanjiang dishes is often enhanced by sweetening and smoking.

Special Local Products: Melon seeds, iron paintings, tea

Tourist Tips: The Wuhu Yangtze River Bridge is an important transportation link for Wuhu City across the Yangtze River. It is also a good place from which to admire the Yangtze River.

        The Phoenix Delicacy Street in downtown Wuhu is a good choice for travelers when visiting the city. There are many restaurants along the street serving various local delicacies, as well as foreign food. Visitors can also find pubs, cafes, teahouses and many other recreational places here.

Education:
Anhui Normal University (安徽师范大学)
Anhui University of Technology and Science (安徽工程科技学院)
Wannan Medical College (皖南医学院)
Wuhu Radio and TV University (芜湖广播电视大学)
Wuhu Vocational Institute of Technology

Notable people:
Xiao Yuncong (1596 - 1673), Ming Dynasty painter
Zhao Wei (b. 1976), Actress