The prefecture-level city of Baoji has a population of 3,716,731 according to the 2010 Chinese census, inhabiting an area of. The built-up area made of 3 urban districts had a population of approximately 1,437,802 inhabitants as of the 2010 census. 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.
History
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 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. Fa Men Si, 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 from Baoji.
Ancient trackways
still has some remaining traces of roadways built during the Three Kingdoms Period 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 Longshanarchaeological sites have been found north of the Wei River near the North Silk Road.
Baoji is home to the Baoji Bronze Museum which holds more than 120,000 pieces of cultural relics, primarily of Zhou dynasty descent. The museum ranked No.1 on TripAdvisor among 41 attractions in Baoji.
Administrative divisions
Climate
Economy
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. 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.
