When it comes to henan's big city, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely the provincial capital Zhengzhou, as the largest city in Henan and the economic, cultural and political center of the province, Zhengzhou has a pivotal position in the province. But in addition to Zhengzhou, Henan has many once famous cities, one of which is also the birthplace and capital of China's first hereditary dynasty, the Xia Dynasty, which is Xuchang in central Henan Province.
Xuchang, Henan, known as Xudu in ancient times, is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese culture. According to records, during the Emperor Yao period, it was named "Xu Di" because Gao Shixu was cultivated by herdsmen and washed his ears on the shore of the Yingshui River. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, it was called "Xu Guo", and the Qin Dynasty set up Xu County. This ancient city that is spirited by water still has a relatively complete moat preserved to this day, because there are many lotus flowers growing in Hanoi, so it is also known as "Lotus City".
In the first year of the Eastern Han Dynasty (196 AD), Cao Cao "ordered the Son of Heaven not to be subordinated" and welcomed emperor Xian of Han to move the capital to Yuxu on the grounds of "luoyang ruins", making it the political, economic and cultural center of northern China at that time. In 221 AD, the Wei Emperor Cao Pi deposed Han Liwei and changed Xu County to "Xuchang" with "Han died in Xu, Wei Jichang in Xu", becoming one of the five capitals of Wei, and the name "Xuchang" has been used to this day.
"Listen to the affairs of the Three Kingdoms, and whenever you want to go to Xuchang." Of the 120 times of the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", 52 times occurred in Xuchang, rich in historical relics and cultural relics, leaving a strong mark in the magnificent history of the Three Kingdoms at the end of the Han Dynasty. Today's Xuchang still preserves more than 80 relics of the Three Kingdoms cultural sites such as the story of The Tomb of Guangong Baling - Baling Bridge, Cao Cheng Xiang Mansion, Spring and Autumn Tower, Huatuo Tomb, etc., and is known as the "Hometown of The Culture of the Three Kingdoms".
When you come to Xuchang, the most worthwhile attraction is Cao Cheng Xiang Mansion. According to records, after Cao Cao ascended to the throne, he lived here and handled major military affairs. Although the relics of a thousand years ago have long ceased to exist, this city, which is famous because of Cao Cao, has not forgotten this hero. In 2008, the local government spent 230 million yuan to rebuild this magnificent Cao Cheng Xiang Mansion on the original site, becoming the first theme scenic spot in China to display Cao Wei culture in an all-round way.
In the fifth year of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao's Eastern Expedition, the Battle of Xia Pi captured Guan Yu and Liu Bei's two wives, Gan and Mi, and Guan Yu temporarily submitted to Cao Cao to protect the safety of the imperial concubine. After returning to Xuchang, Cao Cao asked Emperor Xian of Han to make Guan Yu the Marquis of Hanshouting and give him a mansion for Guan Yu to live with his two imperial concubines. In order to avoid suspicion, Guan Yu divided a house into two courtyards, let the two imperial concubines live in the inner courtyard, and read "Spring and Autumn" at night in the outer courtyard, from which the Spring and Autumn Building was named.
In Xuchang, the story of "Guan Yu Baling Bridge Picking Robes and Ci Cao" can be described as a household name. According to records, after Guan Yu learned of Liu Bei's whereabouts, he decided to hang up the seal and seal the gold and resign Cao To find his brother. Cao Cao led his men and horses to the head of the Baling Bridge in the west of the city, and gave wine and robes to practice for Guan Yu. Guan Yu was afraid that he was deceitful, so he immediately went to the bridge, picked up the brocade robe with the tip of his sword and draped it on his body, and bowed away. Cao Cao and Guan Yu, one loves talent and one loyal, have since become models for future generations to establish and deal with things.
When it comes to the ancient pagoda in Henan, people are most familiar with the Wenfeng Pagoda in the middle of Wenfeng Road in Xuchang City. The tower was built by Zheng Zhenguang of Xuzhou Zhizhou in the forty-second year of the Ming Wanli Calendar (1614), the tower is 51.3 meters high, the structure is rigorous, the momentum is majestic, known as the crown of more than 200 Ming Dynasty brick towers in Henan, "Wenfeng Towering Show" was also rated as one of the "Ten Views of Xuchang".
Today, when China is vigorously developing tourism, the Xuchang cultural tourism industry, which has a strong momentum, has become a major boost to economic development. According to statistics, in 2020, Xuchang City received a total of 14.7045 million tourists throughout the year, with a gdp of 344.92 billion yuan, an increase of 2.7% year-on-year, with the continuous improvement of the influence of Xuchang cultural tourism brand at home and abroad, it is very promising to promote to third-tier cities.