Han Dynasty Origin — Terracotta Warriors — Yunlong Lake
Xuzhou (徐州) is a major city in northern Jiangsu Province with a history spanning over 2,600 years. It served as the capital of the Chu Kingdom during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC–9 AD) and is the birthplace of Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty. This makes Xuzhou one of the most historically significant cities in China, often called "the hometown of Han culture." The city has witnessed countless battles throughout Chinese history due to its strategic location at the junction of four provinces — Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Anhui.
The city is world-famous for the Xuzhou Han Terracotta Warriors, discovered in 1984 and dating back 2,100 years — predating the more famous Xi'an warriors by 20 years! Over 2,500 miniature warriors, horses, and chariots were unearthed across six pits, each with unique facial expressions reflecting individual craftsmanship. Beyond the warriors, Xuzhou boasts over 200 Han Dynasty tombs, making it the largest concentration of Han royal burials in China. The Xuzhou Museum houses over 50,000 artifacts including the finest jade burial suits ever discovered.
Today, Xuzhou is a modern industrial city of 9 million people, but its heart remains its Han heritage. Yunlong Lake, a sprawling 5.8-square-kilometer urban lake surrounded by Yunlong Mountain, provides green space and recreation for locals and visitors alike. The city has transformed into a major transport hub with the high-speed rail station connecting to Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing in under 3 hours. Xuzhou's cuisine reflects its position at the crossroads of northern and southern culinary traditions, featuring hearty meat dishes alongside delicate fish preparations.
Discovered in 1984 by a farmer digging a well, these 2,100-year-old terracotta warriors are smaller than Xi'an's (40 cm tall vs life-sized) but equally historically significant. Over 2,500 warriors, horses, and chariots were unearthed from 6 pits covering 5,000 square meters. The museum also displays exquisite jade burial suits and Han Dynasty gold artifacts, including a stunning gold belt buckle weighing over 100 grams.
The warriors were made in local workshops using individual clay molds — not mass-produced like Xi'an's — giving each warrior a unique facial expression and hairstyle. The adjacent Han Culture Scenic Area features meticulously reconstructed Chu Kingdom buildings, a 100-meter-long Han Dynasty street, and daily hanfu (traditional costume) shows at 10:00, 14:00, and 16:00. The museum's highlight is the "Golden Jade Clothes" — a burial suit made from 2,000+ pieces of jade sewn together with gold thread, weighing approximately 1,000 grams. English audio guides available for 20 yuan. Allow 2–3 hours for a complete visit.
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00)
Admission: 90 yuan (includes Han Culture Scenic Area)
How to get there: Bus 5, 12 from city center, 20 minutes
Yunlong Lake is a sprawling 5.8-square-kilometer urban lake (1.5 times larger than Beijing's Kunming Lake) surrounded by parks, walking paths, and Yunlong Mountain — the "Dragon Mountain" sacred to Xuzhou residents since ancient times. The lake features 18 islands connected by elegant stone bridges, with boating, fishing, and cycling paths around the 15-km shoreline. The lake is divided into eastern, western, and southern sections, each offering different experiences.
The eastern shore features the most developed recreational facilities including the Xuzhou Water Park, an aquarium, and a 3-km long waterfront promenade with cafes and restaurants. The western shore is more natural with lotus ponds and bird-watching platforms. Yunlong Mountain rises 142 meters above the lake and offers a 45-minute climb to the summit with panoramic city views. The mountain is home to Xinghua Temple (built 451 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty), one of China's oldest Buddhist temples. Boat rentals cost 50 yuan per hour for paddle boats and 80 yuan per hour for electric boats. The annual Yunlong Lake Marathon in October draws over 10,000 runners from across China. Spring (March–May) is the best time when peach and cherry blossoms surround the lake. Allow 2–3 hours for walking and boating.
Hours: Park: 24 hours, Mountain: 8:00–17:00
Admission: Free (park), 30 yuan (mountain)
How to get there: Bus 2, 11 from city center, 15 minutes
A spectacular Han Dynasty tomb complex dating to 128 BC, with 15 interconnected chambers carved from solid rock 30 meters underground. The tomb belonged to Liu Zhu (Prince of Chu) and his wife, and its engineering precision is stunning — the 56-meter-long corridor has a margin of error of just 5mm over its entire length, a feat that still puzzles engineers today.
The tomb complex includes a banquet hall (100 square meters), weaponry chamber, bedroom quarters, and a stable, all decorated with original stone reliefs depicting scenes from Han Dynasty court life. Liu Zhu's jade burial suit, reassembled with over 2,000 pieces of jade sewn with gold thread, is displayed in the on-site museum alongside over 1,000 artifacts including bronze chariot fittings, pottery figurines, and gold ornaments. The most remarkable feature is the "ghost wall" — a 6.3-meter-high stone screen carved from a single block. Audio guide: 20 yuan. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Hours: 8:30–17:00
Admission: 80 yuan
How to get there: Bus 8 from city center, 25 minutes
A massive memorial complex honoring the decisive Huaihai Campaign (November 1948–January 1949), the largest of the three major battles during the Chinese Civil War. Over 600,000 PLA soldiers fought against 800,000 Nationalist troops in this 66-day campaign that ultimately led to Communist victory. The museum displays over 5,000 artifacts, detailed dioramas, and actual military equipment used in the battle.
The main exhibition hall covers 6,000 square meters across two floors, with interactive electronic maps showing troop movements. Outdoor exhibits include a remarkable collection of tanks, artillery pieces, and fighter jets. The 360-degree panoramic cinema (45 yuan, 20 minutes) puts you in the middle of the Battle of Shuangduiji, the campaign's most famous engagement. The adjacent Peace Garden features 100,000 trees planted by war veterans and a 45-meter-tall memorial tower. The site's museum shop sells replica military medals and historical books. Thursday mornings at 10:00 offer free guided tours with English interpretation. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (closed Mondays)
Admission: Free (ID required)
How to get there: Bus 3, 7 from city center, 10 minutes
The tomb of Liu Wu (Prince of Chu, 154 BC), discovered accidentally during road construction in 1994. This is considered the most important Han archaeological discovery in China after the Mawangdui tombs. Liu Wu's jade burial suit, composed of over 2,400 pieces of jade sewn with gold thread, is regarded as the finest ever found — each piece of jade was individually polished to fit perfectly.
Visitors can compare two extraordinary jade suits at this site: Liu Wu's (2,400 pieces, 1,500 grams of gold thread) and Liu Zhu's from Turtle Hill (2,000 pieces, 800 grams of gold thread). The tomb chamber itself is 20 meters long and carved 10 meters deep into the hillside. A small terracotta army of 200 warriors accompanies the prince, along with real horse skeletons from his chariot. The museum displays 2,000+ accompanying artifacts including bronze mirrors (still reflective after 2,000 years), gold seals, and inscribed bamboo slips describing daily court life. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Hours: 8:30–17:00
Admission: 80 yuan (combined ticket with Turtle Hill)
How to get there: Bus 8, 15 from city center, 20 minutes
A historic hill with exceptionally well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty merchant houses, narrow cobblestone lanes, and a lively traditional market street. Hubu Mountain was historically the most prestigious address in Xuzhou — home to wealthy salt merchants who controlled the Jiangsu salt trade. The hill takes its name from the Ministry of Revenue (Hubu) that collected taxes here during the Ming Dynasty.
Highlights include the Wang Family Mansion (built 1680), a sprawling 5-courtyard complex with exquisite wood carvings and a private opera stage; the Salt Merchant Museum inside the former Li Family Residence (built 1720), tracing Xuzhou's 2,000-year salt history; and the ancient Dragon Well, still providing water to local residents after 400 years. The hill comes alive at night when red lanterns illuminate the alleys and over 50 food stalls open for business selling traditional Xuzhou snacks. The morning market (6:00–9:00) specializes in antiques and second-hand books. Allow 1–1.5 hours for the hill itself and another hour for the market.
Hours: Streets open 24 hours (mansion 9:00–17:00)
Admission: Free (mansion 30 yuan)
How to get there: Bus 4, 9 from city center, 10 minutes
Housed in a striking modern building near Yunlong Lake, the Xuzhou Museum presents the city's 2,600-year history through meticulously curated exhibits. The highlight is unquestionably the jade gallery, featuring Han Dynasty jade burial suits (the finest collection in China), jade swords, jade cups, and ceremonial jade objects — over 1,000 pieces spanning 2,000 years of Chinese jade craft.
The museum's collection includes over 50,000 artifacts organized across 8 galleries: Ancient Xuzhou (Neolithic through Zhou Dynasty), Han Dynasty Treasures, Tang & Song Art, Ming & Qing Porcelain, the Salt Trade, Calligraphy & Painting, Folk Art, and Modern Xuzhou. Interactive touchscreens with English translations at every exhibit make the museum accessible to international visitors. The rooftop garden offers a panoramic view of Yunlong Lake and the surrounding mountains. The museum's cafe serves surprisingly good coffee (25 yuan) overlooking the lake. Free English guided tours available on Saturdays at 10:00, no reservation needed. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (closed Mondays)
Admission: Free (ID required)
How to get there: Bus 5, 12 from city center; 5-minute walk east of Yunlong Lake
Xuzhou is often called the "Cradle of Han Dynasty Culture" because Liu Bang, the dynasty founder, was born in nearby Pei County (沛县), now part of Xuzhou's administrative area. The county features the Liu Bang Memorial Hall, a temple built on the supposed site of his birthplace, and a 30-meter-tall bronze statue of the emperor. Visitors can explore the Pei County Han Street, a reconstructed Han-style commercial street with 20+ shops selling traditional crafts. The county is accessible by bus from Xuzhou (40 minutes, 8 yuan).
The city also has a strong literary connection — Xuzhou is where the famous Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi wrote some of his most celebrated works while serving as a government official. The Bai Juyi Cultural Park near Yunlong Lake features a replica of his study and interpretive panels with his poetry translated into English. The park spans 50 acres and includes a picturesque lotus pond, a bamboo grove, and a traditional teahouse where visitors can sample Xuzhou green tea while reading his poems.