About Zaozhuang
Coal built modern Zaozhuang, but a canal and a battle made its name. This city in southern Shandong, home to nearly four million people, has mined coal since the Ming dynasty, while the Grand Canal, dug through the area in 1604, brought centuries of trade to its riverside town of Taierzhuang.
In the spring of 1938 Taierzhuang saw one of the fiercest battles of the Second Sino-Japanese War, remembered in China as the first major Chinese victory of the war, and the town was almost entirely destroyed. Rebuilt from 2008 around its canal, docks and surviving ruins, Taierzhuang Ancient Town is now the region's star attraction, with boat rides at night and a large memorial hall.
Elsewhere the city recalls the Railway Guerrillas who fought along local rail lines, and Tengzhou, a county-level city within Zaozhuang, honors the ancient philosopher Mozi. Hills in Yicheng are covered with pomegranate orchards, and local tables are famous for spicy chicken, vegetable pancakes and mutton soup.
Best seasonApril to June and September to October; late spring brings pomegranate blossom in Yicheng.
Ideal stayOne to two days, including an evening and night in Taierzhuang Ancient Town.
ArrivingZaozhuang and Zaozhuang West stations are on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway.
