Xuchang

Xuchang (Simplified Chinese: 许昌; Traditional Chinese: 許昌; Hanyu Pinyin: XÇ”chÄ?ng) is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province, People's Republic of China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest.

According to tradition, the city was named after Xu, an ancient state led by tribal leader Xuyou during the Spring and Autumn Period of the Zhou Dynasty. In ancient times, the city occupied a strategic location in central China.

Xuchang served as the warlord Cao Cao's de facto capital during the Three Kingdoms Period. After finding the Han Dynasty capital Luoyang ravaged by war, Cao moved the imperial court and the emperor to what is now Xuchang in 196.

In 220, Cao Cao's son and successor Cao Pi officially declared the city as the capital of the newly-established state of Wei. The city was renamed "Xuchang", meaning "Xu Rising". The Wei emperors held court at Xuchang until the capital was moved to Luoyang in the 220s.

Xuchang is an important center of the Chinese tobacco industry.

Famous tourist attractions include Baling Bridge and Chunqiu Tower.