Caozhou was at the center of the Nian Rebellion during the 1850s and 60s.
In August 1949, Heze was detached from Shandong and given to the experimental province of Pingyuan, but was later returned to Shandong just over three years later.
In April 1953, Heze and Jining gained counties from the former prefecture of Huxi after its abolition.
Mudan is the city flower of Heze. The earliest documentary of Mudan is in Classic of Poetry, written almost 3,000 years ago. Mudan is also called the "king of flowers" from the Bencao Gangmu. It is a symbol of honor, peace, wealth, love, aristocracy and feminine beauty. There are 9 types of Mudan based on the colors: red, white, purple, yellow, blue, green, black, pink, and multi-colored.[4]
Heze has a monsoon-influenced climate that lies between the humid subtropical and humid continental zones (KöppenCwa/Dwa), with four well-defined seasons. The city is warm and nearly rainless in spring, hot and humid in summer, crisp in autumn and cold and dry in winter. The mean annual temperature is 14.22 °C (57.6 °F), with the monthly 24-hour average temperature ranging from −0.5 °C (31.1 °F) in January to 27.1 °C (80.8 °F) in July. Nearly 70% of the annual precipitation occurs from June to September. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 48% in July to 60% in May, the city receives 2,411 hours of bright sunshine annually.[5]
According to the 2020 Chinese census, Heze was home to 8,287,693 people, of whom 1,346,717 live in the built-up area around the seat of government in Mudan District.[10]
One Hundred Lion Square: It is famous for its column carved with 100 stone lions in different postures. It represents best wishes and longevity. The archway is 14 meters high and 9 meters wide. The 100 lions with different shapes represent superb architectural skills and immortal artistic value, which fully embodies the wisdom and strength of the ancient people.[14]
Shui Hu Hero City: It is famous for the teaching and communication of martial arts and ancient buildings. It is also the Chinese ancient residence museum, CCTV-recommended tour routes and the source of water margins.[15]
Fulong Lake Tourism Resort:Located in the southwest of Shanxian County, Heze City, Shandong Province, with a total area of 58.6 square kilometres, Furong Lake Tourism Resort is the second largest plain reservoir in Shandong Province, and is known as the ‘Pearl of the Old Road, the West Lake of the North of the Yangtze River’. Floating Dragon Lake is the site of Mengzhuze, one of the four most famous zones in China.[16]
Shanxian lamb soup: The soup was first made in 1807. The taste is fresh but not mutton, and fragrant but not greasy. After more than 200 years of development and innovation of soup, it can be carried forward and accepted in many years. It is not only refreshing, but also functional in medicinal meal.[17]
Peony cake: During a flower festival in which season when peonies are in full bloom, Wu Zetian led a maid to enjoy the flowers in the garden and ordered the maid to pluck a large number of flowers of various colors. After return to the palace, according to her design, she mashed them with rice, steaming them to make a cake known as the "hundred-flower cake" and used this dessert as a gift to officials.
Pijia roast chicken: The sauce is in color red, and you can smell the rich roast chicken scent just a few feet away from the pot. Its outstanding characteristics are fresh, fragrant, and tender with consistent taste inside and out.
Caozhou sesame cake: Its shape is round as a moon, tender inside with a crispy crust. Its ingredients include wheat essence powder, sesame oil, salt, pepper, fennel powder and other oil-based products.
Ju Ye pot of soup: Jar soup is the most representative of Shandong is the most representative characteristics of the south-west of Shandong traditional food. Originating from Daxieji Town, Juno County, Heze City, Shandong Province, it is the most authentic soup in Daxieji Town. Has been registered in the State Administration for Industry and Commerce ‘Xieji authentic jar soup’ trademark. It is one of the most popular soups among the local people, and has been listed as one of the famous foods in Southwest Shandong Province and Shandong Province, and was named as one of the famous Chinese foods in 2004.[18]
Highway: China National Highway 220; China National Highway 105;[19] China National Highway 106; China National Highway 240; China National Highway 327
Heze is the largest center in China for the cultivation of the "national flower" peony, after which the Mudan District was named. Over 30% of its GDP comes from the sale of peony.[20]
^"李春英当选菏泽市市长" [Li Chunying Elected Mayor of Heze City]. www.ce.cn (in Chinese). 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
^Zhang, Bing (2022-12-23). "中共山东省委组织部干部任前公示公告" [Pre-appointment Announcement of Cadres in the Organisation Department of CPC Shandong Provincial Committee]. 鲁网 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2024-06-13.
^"2022年牡丹区国民经济和社会统计公报" [Mudan District National Economic and Social Statistics Bulletin 2022]. People s Government of Mudan District of Heze City (in Chinese). 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
