Ankang is a riverside city in southern Shaanxi Province, in China. It sits on the banks of the Han River, and its character is shaped by water, hillsides and the older streets that still stand along the valley. Its Chinese name, 安康, is also used in some sources.
What to expect
Visitors come to Ankang for its traditional architecture and for the feel of a river city that has grown up around its waterfront. The setting makes it an easy place to slow down: walks along the river, the rhythm of local life and the contrast between old rooftops and newer districts all give the city its quiet appeal.
A gateway to the Qinling Mountains
Ankang is also known as a gateway to the Qinling Mountains, a major range that divides northern and southern China. For travellers interested in mountain scenery and the landscapes beyond the city, Ankang serves as a useful base from which to set out.
Planning a visit
- Who it suits: travellers who enjoy riverside towns, traditional streetscapes and a less crowded pace.
- Best combined with: a trip into the surrounding Qinling area for mountain scenery.
- Setting: southern Shaanxi, China, in East Asia.
Ankang rewards a visitor who wants a relaxed stop with a sense of place, set between river and mountains.