Baoji

Since the early 1990s, Baoji has been the second largest city in Shaanxi.

Baoji 宝鸡市 Pao-chi, Paochi, Paoki
Prefecture-level city
Baoji
Location of Baoji Prefecture within Shaanxi
Coordinates (Baoji government): 34°21′47″N 107°14′17″E / 34.363°N 107.238°E / 34.363; 107.238
Country	People's Republic of China
Province	Shaanxi
Founded	2000 BC
Municipal seat	Jintai District
Area
• Prefecture-level city	18,159 km2 (7,011 sq mi)
• Urban	3,670.3 km2 (1,417.1 sq mi)
• Metro	3,670.3 km2 (1,417.1 sq mi)
Elevation	570 m (1,870 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Prefecture-level city	3,321,853
• Density	180/km2 (470/sq mi)
• Urban	1,862,118
• Urban density	510/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
• Metro	1,475,962
• Metro density	400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
GDP
• Prefecture-level city	CN¥ 179 billion US$ 28.7 billion
• Per capita	CN¥ 47,565 US$7,637
Time zone	UTC+8 (China Standard)
Postal code	721000
Area code	0917
ISO 3166 code	CN-SN-03
License Plate Prefix	陕C
Website	www.baoji.gov.cn
Symbols
Flower	Asiatic apple (Malus spectabilis)
Tree	Lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana)

The prefecture-level city of Baoji had a population of 3,321,853 according to the 2020 Chinese census, inhabiting an area of 18,159 km² (7,011 sq mi). The built-up (or metro) area made of 3 urban districts had a population of 1,475,962 inhabitants as of the 2020 Chinese census, Fengxiang District not being conurbated yet. Surrounded on three sides by hills, Baoji is in a valley opening out to the east. Its location is strategic, controlling a pass on the Qin Mountains between the Wei River valley and the Jialing River.

Thriving early in the Tang dynasty, it has roots to 2000 BC. Today it is a large industrial center. Railways first reached Baoji in 1937 and have been key to its modern growth.

 

Passing through Baoji is the ancient Northern Silk Road, the northernmost route of about 2,600 kilometres (1,616 miles) in length, which connected the ancient Chinese capital of Chang'an to the West over the Wushao Ling Mountain to Wuwei and emerging in Kashgar before linking to ancient Parthia.

Baoji is considered the gateway between western and eastern China since most trains from Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an pass through here on their way to Gansu, Sichuan, Xinjiang and Tibet (Lhasa). Famen temple, home to one of Buddha's finger bones, is in Baoji County. The Baoji area was home to the legendary Yandi, one of the Han Chinese forefathers. His tomb is in the southern part of the city and his temple is in the north.

People who are interested in the Three Kingdoms of ancient China can visit Zhuge Liang's Memorial Temple, about 20 km (12 mi) from Baoji.

Ancient trackways

Mount Taibai still has some remaining traces of roadways built during the Three Kingdoms Period (220−280 CE) which are all generally unusable due to decay. They remain a popular attraction because they were built by making wood plank bridges along the side of the mountain.

To the South of Baoji lies the beginning of the plank road into the Qin Mountains. There are also several natural sites such as the Jialing Jiang Fountainhead with its small waterfalls and forests. To the north is Bei Puo, a giant hill made of loess with a panoramic view of the city and a landscape dotted with small farming villages that offer local cuisine.

A number of Longshan archaeological sites have been found north of the Wei River near the North Silk Road.

Baoji Bronze Museum

Baoji is home to the Baoji Bronze Museum which holds more than 120,000 pieces of cultural relics, primarily of Zhou dynasty descent.

 

Panoramic view the Jintai district of Baoji viewed from the top of the Stone Drum Museum, across the Weihe river, in winter.

Industrial Zone

Established in 1992, Baoji Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone was approved as a national hi-tech zone by State Council. It has a long-term planned area of 40 square kilometres (15 sq mi). The transportation system around the zone includes Xi'an Xianyang International Airport and National Highway 310. Its encouraged industries are auto parts, electronics, IT, pharmaceutical and bioengineering industry and new materials.

Baoji is the headquarters of the 21st Group Army of the People's Liberation Army, one of the two group armies that comprise the Lanzhou Military Region responsible for defending China's northwest borders.

The G85 Yinchuan-Kunming Expressway, China National Highway 310, and G30 Lianyungang-Khorgas Expressway are major highways that run through Baoji.

The city is serviced by the Baoji South on the Xi'an-Baoji and Baoji-Lanzhou sections of the Xuzhou-Xinjiang high speed railway. The Longhai, Baocheng and Baozhong railways also call at Baoji railway station.

A metro system is in the planning stages.

College

• Baoji University of Arts and Sciences
• Baoji Vocational & Technical school

High school

• Baoji middle school

Japan

• Yawata, Kyoto Prefecture
• Kitakata, Fukushima
• Gifu, Gifu Prefecture

Other countries

• Belfort, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, France
• Beirut, Lebanon

• List of twin towns and sister cities in China