Maanshan

Ma'anshan , also written as Maanshan, is a prefecture-level city in eastern Anhui province, China. An industrial city lying on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, Ma'anshan borders Chaohu to the northwest, Wuhu to the southwest, and Nanjing to the east.

The name Ma'anshan means "Horse Saddle Mountain" in Chinese. According to legend, the name came to be when the Western Chu hegemon Xiang Yu was fleeing from the Battle of Gaixia. Rather than be captured, the defeated general killed himself at the area now known as Ma'anshan after ensuring that his beloved horse would be ferried across the river to safety. Upon seeing his master die, the grief-stricken horse leapt into the river and was drowned. As a tribute, the boatman buried the horse's saddle on a nearby hill, giving Ma'anshan its name.

History
The south bank of the Yangtze River from Ma'anshan upstream for 240 km, has long been a mining area. The coming of a railroad and the opening of the Huai-nan coalfield in the 1930s made it possible for the Japanese to open an iron and steel works in 1938. Although destroyed at the end of the Second World War, the industries were restored to production in 1953, and Ma'anshan grew rapidly under the Communists' first and second Five-Year Plans. Ma'anshan also has sulfur and limestone mines, and chemical and cement factories. In 1954, Ma'anshan was elevated to town level and in Oct. 12, 1956, Ma'anshan City was declared to be founded.

Geography and Climate
Surrounded by low hills (Ma'anshan means "horse saddle mountain"), it is not as polluted as other major Chinese steelmaking cities, thanks to the environmental policies taken by the local government that granted the city the recognition as one of the "Ten Green Cities of China".

Its climate is similar to other cities in the Yangtze River Delta, with lower humidity that makes its summers and winters less extreme. There are frequent showers during July and August.

Caishi Rock, a famous ancient battlefield lying to the southwest of the city, is regarded as the best of three rocks that project over the Yangtze River. Taibai pavilion is one of four famous pavilions along the Yangtze river. Caishi scenic area is a national tourism spot, with a combination of natural and man-made scenery.

Culture
There is a memorial to the famous Chinese poet, Li Bai (a.k.a. Li Po c.700-762), just west of Ma'anshan. Li Bai is said to have drowned at Ma'anshan after attempting to embrace a reflection of the moon.

China's first poetry festival was to be held in Ma'anshan from October 25-30 2005. The theme of the festival, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, the Chinese Writers Association, and the Anhui provincial government, is "Poetic China, Harmonious China."