.jpg "Anshan")
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Anshan is the third largest prefecture level city in Liaoning province. Anshan is on the boundary between the Mountains of eastern Liaoning and the plains of the west. The area contains the famous Qianshan National Park. The city's name is derived from the shape of a nearby mountain that resembles the shape of a horse's saddle, which can be seen on the left (west) about five minutes before the northbound train arrives at Anshan Station. Anshan is home to the Anshan Iron and Steel Group, one of the largest steel producers in China. Anshan is sister cities with Sheffield. Anshan holds one third of the world’s supply of talcum. Anshan holds a quarter of the world’s reserves of magnetite. Anshan also produced the largest ever jade stone, now a local tourist attraction carved as a Buddha.
The area of Anshan has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The area remained of little significance, a small city in Liaodong province, overshadowed by neighboring Liaoyang city, until the mid 20th Century. Anshan was set to become a key part of this industrial development after Civil war. The steel mills had been damaged during the wars. In December 1948, the Anshan Iron and Steel Company, also known as Angang, was founded. August 22, 1954, the central government decided that Anshan should be administered by Liaoning Province.
Anshan has a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate. The four seasons here are distinctive. Nearly half of the annual rainfall occurs in July and August. And average temperature is about 8 centigrade degree to 9 centigrade degree.
The north east of China is a major industrial zone and Anshan is one of the key sites of the north east. The city is renowned as "China's capital of iron and steel". Prior to the development of the Iron and Steel industries, Anshan was a relatively small city of little importance. As the steel mills expanded, spin off industries developed alongside the steel plant making the area a centre of heavy industry. Anshan is rich in other mineral wealth too. The southern and south eastern areas of Anshan are rich in magnetite. Reserves of magnetite here are equivalent to a quarter of all worldwide reserves. Anshan also has the world's largest reserve of talcum, accounting for fully one third of the entire world supply. The Xiuyan area of Anshan is known for the production of the precious stone, Jade. The largest single jade stone ever found came from Xiuyan, now carved into the form of a Buddha; it is a major tourist attraction in the area.
Anshan has convenient transportation. Currently there are two routes in operation at Anshan Teng'ao Airport, Anshan–Beijing and Anshan–Shanghai. The city is beside the Shenyang–Dalian Expressway (part of the G15 Shenyang–Haikou Expressway), a privately funded eight-lane tolled highway and was the first road of its kind in mainland China. Anshan is connected to the Chinese rail network with rail routes to Beijing, Dalian, and to the northeastern provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang as well as to eastern Inner Mongolia, and even a direct, albeit slow, train to Hong Kong.
In recent years, Anshan has been trying to throw off its image as a heavy industrial town along with the dirt and pollution that goes with such industry. It has remodeled itself as a tourist destination. Foremost among the attractions in Anshan is Qianshan National Park. One of the mountains in the park is believed to resemble Maitreya Buddha. It is claimed to be the largest naturally occurring image of Maitreya in the world. Another major tourist location is "219 Park". The name of the park commemorates the liberation of Anshan by the People's Liberation Army on the 19th of February 1948. The park contains the Dongshan (East Mountain) scenic area as well as numerous lakes. Of particular note is the Jade Buddha Palace. Anshan contains naturally hot spring water spas. There are four spas/hotels in Anshan. Visitors may shower and bathe in the spring water.
Population: 3.64 million
Temperature: average 9.60 °C (49.3 °F)
