Jiuquan


Jiuquan, or “Wine Spring,” is a major stopover on the "Silk Road" northwestwards from Lanzhou, capital
of Gansu Province.

On a triumphant expedition, as legend has it, Huo Qubing, a celebrated commander of the Western Han
army, visited the town with his troops. Emperor Wudi had decreed that they feast on wine, but there was
not enough to go round. Commander Huo then poured his cup of wine into a spring so that it could be
shared with his soldiers. That was how the city got its name.

From the second century B.C., commissioners and high-ranking officers were dispatched by the rulers of
Western Han Dynasty (306 B.C.- 34 A.D.) to develop the region. As the traffic along the "Silk Road"
became busier and more important, the prefecture of Jiuquan was established more than 1,600 years ago to protect this vital artery.

Meanwhile, the local luminous jade cup for drinking is also well known from then on. Due to its strategic position and historical significance, there
are many attractive relics in Jiuquan such as Bell and Drum Tower, Jiuquan Park and Jiuquan Arts and Crafts Plants for producing the jade cups.

The city's Drum tower, erected in 343, used to be called "Night Watchman's Tower" on the east city gate. As the city expanded, it was edged into the
inner city and its name was changed to "Drum Tower." It is the only remaining structure of the many Marco Polo praised in his writings. 

Jiuquan is famous as the Satellite Launch Center, which founded in 1958, it was the country's earliest
base and where most launches and tests have been conducted. The center is mainly used to send
satellites into lower and medium orbits with large orbital inclination angles. It is also capable of testing
medium- and long-range missiles. More Chinese launches have occurred at Jiuquan than anywhere
else. As with all Chinese launch facilities it is remote and generally closed to foreigners.