Xuzhou: Where ancient Han Dynasty charm meets modern dynamism

Evening brings a mix of sights and sounds to Xuzhou's busy streets in east China's Jiangsu Province. The smell of mutton broth and Liuqin Opera music blend with sizzling street food and cheers from amateur football games.

Once known as Pengcheng, the city seamlessly weaves together 5,000 years of civilization with cutting-edge innovation.

Ancient heritage lives on

Xuzhou holds a distinguished place in Chinese history as the birthplace of Han culture, with more than 2,600 years of recorded urban development.

Earthenware dancing figures are displayed at the Xuzhou Museum in east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 2, 2025. (People's Daily Online/Su Yingxiang)

Xuzhou's museums showcase extraordinary imperial treasures, including the Western Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-A.D. 25) "Jade Burial Suit Sewn With Gold Threads." This masterpiece demonstrates sophisticated jade-working techniques and burial customs.

Alongside it, legions of terracotta figurines, from soldiers to dancers, offer visitors a glimpse into ancient daily life.

"These figurines embody the aesthetic beauty of Han Dynasty art," explained museum guide Zhang Yizhi. "Through clean lines and masterful technique, ancient artisans captured both the social customs and artistic aspirations of their time."

Huanglou (the Yellow Tower), one of Xuzhou's urban cultural landmarks, is seen on Aug. 1, 2025. (People's Daily Online/Yu Le)

To honor and revitalize this heritage, the city has launched the "Pengcheng Qili" project, a 3.5-kilometer cultural route that connects key historical landmarks. This initiative has breathed new life into ancient streets and buildings, creating an immersive cultural district where heritage and commerce thrive in harmony.

Xuzhou's cultural pulse is felt not only in its historical sites but also in its living traditions.

Xuzhou-style mutton broth is seen on Aug. 1, 2025. (People's Daily Online/Su Yingxiang)

Each summer, Xuzhou comes alive with the Fuyang Festival, where locals gather to enjoy mutton broth following the ancient wisdom of "fighting heat with heat." This tradition, now a national intangible cultural heritage, remains a cherished social event connecting the city to its past.

Spanish traveler Alvaro Lago was skeptical about hot soup in sweltering heat. After his first taste, his perspective changed. "By the time I finish this, I'll be sweating all over... I love it," he said, joining locals in the celebration.

Spanish traveler Alvaro Lago experiences (first from left) Liuqin Opera in Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 4, 2025. (People's Daily Online/Su Yingxiang)

Xuzhou's cultural heritage extends to Liuqin Opera, a regional art form known for soul-stirring melodies. Performed with a distinctive willow-leaf-shaped lute, the folk opera depicts everyday life in the city.

Despite the language barrier, Alvaro found himself captivated by the expressive performances of Liuqin Opera. "The emotions are universal," he observed after watching a traditional show. "Despite culture and language barriers, I could feel the joy and humor in the opera."

"Liuqin Opera embodies our local culture," says Yang Cheng, deputy director of Jiangsu Liuqin Opera Troupe. "Its lighthearted, humorous style perfectly reflects the witty and forthright character of Xuzhou people."

Modern innovation hub

Modern Xuzhou has earned recognition as "China's Capital of Construction Machinery," with industry leader Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (XCMG) showcasing the city's technological prowess.

Autonomous electric mining trucks are seen deployed at the Yimin open-pit mine in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

A fleet of 100 autonomous electric mining trucks developed by XCMG and its partners has been put into operation at an open-pit mine in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, marking the largest-scale application of such vehicles globally.

"This represents the world's largest-scale application of unmanned electric mining trucks," explains Dai Erbo, chief layout engineer at XCMG Mining Machinery. "Integrating autonomous driving, 5G communications, and solar power technology, these vehicles achieve 120 percent of human operator efficiency while saving 15,000 tonnes of fuel annually."

Another of XCMG's creations, the "Steel Mantis" walking excavator, famed for its appearance in the sci-fi blockbuster "The Wandering Earth 2," demonstrates remarkable capabilities in disaster relief and complex rescue operations.

Community spirit in action

The 2025 Jiangsu Football City League, known as "Su Chao," launched in May, has ignited citywide passion for grassroots football. With 60 matches across 10 rounds, the amateur league has drawn an average of 25,000 spectators per game, attracting more than 1.3 billion online views.

A football match at Xuzhou Olympic Sports Center in east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 2, 2025. (People's Daily Online/Yu Le)

Su Chao welcomes players from all backgrounds, unlike professional leagues. Students, delivery workers, programmers and security guards compete together in the amateur league, reflecting community sports' inclusive nature.

"Compared to professional leagues, Su Chao is much closer to ordinary people," says Xuzhou team player Li Guangpeng, who works for a security company. "It brings players and fans much closer together."

The league has evolved beyond sports competition to become a cultural bridge connecting cities across Jiangsu Province. "We're opponents on the field but family off the field," notes Xuzhou player Qiao Yu. "Through Su Chao, we hope more people will discover Jiangsu, visit Xuzhou and experience our food and culture."

From ancient jade burial suits to autonomous mining trucks, from traditional opera stages to packed football stadiums, Xuzhou demonstrates how cultural heritage can thrive alongside technological innovation.