Because of its convenient traffic, it is dubbed as “the conjunct of 9 provinces and the throat of Shandong ”.Since ancient time, it was regarded as a place with  great military significance and where all businessmen got together. The railway between Beijing and Shanghai connects the south with the north and Xinshi rail, which transcrosses the west and the east, is the most important railway through which all goods are transported and by which people can go almost everywhere in the province. The roads reach everywhere, including 327 National Road, Rihe highway and several scores of mail roads transcrossing the city. The total length of the roads is over 630 kilometres with road intensity that is three times the national average. Rich in nature resources, the city is a very important coal mine base in the country. The storage of these coal mines surpass 20 billion tons, of which over 20 million are explored. The underground water storage is over 2 billion, making it the only area where much untapped water resources exists among the places in Shandong province. The city also takes pride in its long history. In the 21th century BC, Xiayu divided the whole country into nine administrative parts, yanzhou was one of them. Throughout the ups and downs of its history of over 4000 thousand years, yanzhou was the capital city of Jun, Zhou, Fu (all of which are different types of administrative districts) and the political, cultural, military centre. Its culture advocates honesty, attracting talents, toleration and generosity. Over 2000 years ago, Confucious, Mengzi, Zengzi, Zisi used to taught and advocated the ideology of Confucious. In the Tang Dynasty, Li Bai used to lived here for more than 20 years, where and when he wrote many famous poems. Yanzhou also has many renowned places of interest,  including Shaolin temple where Dufu used to mount, Qinglian where Li Bai used to visit, Xinglong tower which “touches the sky”. The sword of Sishui river, a guard of safety against any threat and danger, was made in the Qing Dynasty. It is 7.5 metres long, as heavy as 1500 kilograms. It is seen as the “sword second to none under heaven”.

    In recent years, carders of every level in the city work under the guidance of the important idea of “the three representatives” and with a scientific view on development; stick to the four theories of industrialization, applying the products in daily production, transfer management to the common people and urbanization; attach importance to developing the city through industrialization and urbanization; promote the development of industrial economy groups and teams; strengthen spiritual civilization and establish the “three projects”. They have achieved all tasks demanded by the tenth plan in advance and make major breakthroughs of economical development, opening the outside, the development of social courses, and the transformation of the urban and rural areas. The city is awarded as the top city of food production, technology development, forests planting in plain areas, social culture development people_maneging   economy, safety production, spiritual civilization, grass_roots establishment construction, etc. In 2004, it ranked the 50 place in all the towns of the whole nation in terms of the overall development of the society and the economy. Last year it only ranked the 66 place. In 2005, it maintains the strong momentum of economical development with major breakthroughs in soliciting foreign investments, foreign trade, overseas projects, urban construction, etc. All growth of major economic index surpasses the average level of Jining city. The total production reaches 17.8 billion, increasing by 22.7% from last year. Investment of fixed property above sale reaches 9.636 billion, and increase by 53.3%.The general revenue was 19 billion, increasing by 34.3%. Among them, domestic revenue was 0.96 billion, increasing by 26%. Practical use of foreign investment was 73,600,000 dollars, increasing by 120.6%, finishing the task demanded by the Jining government one month in advance.