Liuzhou

Lore & Background

The Liujiang men, among the earliest modern humans in East Asia, were discovered in Tongtianyang Cave in Liujiang County. Liuzhou itself was founded in 111 B.C. under the name Tanzhong, later becoming Longcheng in 742 A.D., and finally Liuzhou in 1736, named after the Liu River. The city lies on the winding Liu River, where swimming is a local tradition; the river is normally green but can turn yellow in summer due to sediment from upstream floods. A serious cadmium spill in early 2012 caused pollution concerns. The river depth varies, and in 2000 a bus carrying 78 passengers fell from a bridge into the water, with no survivors. Liuzhou has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters, long hot summers, and year-round humidity, with heaviest rain from May to August. The landscape features rolling hills, mountain peaks, caves, and karst scenery, similar to much of Guangxi. The city is the region’s industrial center and second largest in Guangxi, hosting major companies including LiuGong, a multinational construction machinery manufacturer, and SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile, a joint venture. Liuzhou is the birthplace of Guangxi’s most famous dish, Luosifen, which has recently attracted culinary tourists. Historically, the city was the site of Liuchow Airfield, used by Nationalist Chinese and American forces in World War II, captured by the Japanese in November 1944 and recaptured in June 1945. The 75th Group Army of the People’s Liberation Army is headquartered here. A traditional saying notes, “Born in Suzhou, live in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, die in Liuzhou,” referencing the city’s historic reputation for high-quality coffins made from fir, camphor, and sandalwood, which were said to preserve the body. Today, miniature coffins are sold as souvenirs or good luck charms, often inscribed with characters meaning “get promotion and get rich,” and some are used as caskets for ancestral ashes. Notable native Li Ning, a gymnast and entrepreneur, was born here in 1963.

Reader's Guide

Liuzhou's significance lies in its role as Guangxi's industrial center, hosting major companies like LiuGong and SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile. The city is also the birthplace of Luosifen, a famous Guangxi dish, and its landscape of karst scenery and minority villages attracts tourists. Historically, it is known for the Liujiang man fossils and the poet Liu Zongyuan, who died there. The saying 'Born in Suzhou, live in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, die in Liuzhou' reflects its past fame for coffins, now sold as miniature souvenirs. Liuzhou serves as headquarters of the 75th Group Army of the People's Liberation Army.

Did You Know?

• Liuzhou's Liu River can reach depths of 90 meters before flooding.
• Liuzhou is the birthplace of Luosifen, Guangxi's most famous dish.
• The city was known historically for its coffins made from firwood, camphor wood, and sandalwood.