Smack bang in the middle of Jiangsu Province, the city of Huai’an has witnessed the birth of the truly great; the most famed and respected of Chinese leaders, as well as the author of one of the nation’s most celebrated books.

在江苏省中部，淮安市见证了真正伟大的人的诞生；中国领导人中最著名和最受尊敬的，也是全国最著名的书籍之一的作者。

First and foremost, that would be Zhou Enlai, the longest-ever serving Chinese Premier from 1949 until his death in 1976. Zhou participated in the 1954 Geneva Conference, the 1955 Bandung Conference and helped orchestrate Richard Nixon’s 1972 visit to China. More recently, in 2014, the scenic area at Zhou’s former residence was rated as a National 5A Tourist Attraction.

首先，那就是周恩来，他是1949年至1976年去世的中国总理。 周参加了1954年日内瓦会议、1955年万隆会议，并帮助策划了理查德·尼克松1972年对中国的访问。 最近，在2014年，周故居的景区被评为国家5A旅游景点。

Also born in Huai’an was Ming Dynasty author, Wu Cheng’en (1500–1582 CE), who wrote “Journey to the West”, one of the four masterpieces regarded as definitive classics of Chinese literature.

明朝作家吴成恩（公元1500-1582年）也出生于淮安，他写了《西游记》，这是被认为是中国文学权威经典之作的四大杰作之一。

But the city has churned out more than just politicians and writers. For Huai’an is a centre for grain production. Since ancient times, it has been known as “granary of the world”. Today, Huai’an’s grain output amounts to over 5 million tons annually.

但这座城市不仅有政治家和作家。 淮安是粮食生产中心。 自古以来，它一直被称为“世界粮仓”。 如今，淮安的粮食年产量超过500万吨。

With its location in the alluvial plain of both the Yangtze and Yellow rivers, its crisscrossing rivers and lakes also provide for good soil and water quality. With a favourable climate and little pollution, its the perfect spot to grow rice.

它位于長江和黄河的沖積平原，其横交错的河流和湖泊也提供了良好的土壤和水质。 气候宜人，污染少，是种植水稻的理想场所。

And crayfish. Xuyi County, under Huai’an’s jurisdiction, has in recent years become famed as the crayfish capital of the world. As long ago as 2018, Xuyi signed crayfish-related deals worth US$15 million. With crayfish and rice growing in identical environments, local farmers also quickly realised they could effectively double their lands’ yields by growing them together. 

还有小龙虾。 淮安管辖下的徐义县近年来被誉为世界小龙虾之都。 早在2018年，Xuyi就签署了价值1500万美元的小龙虾相关交易。 由于小龙虾和水稻在相同的环境中生长，当地农民也很快意识到，他们通过一起种植，可以有效地将土地产量翻倍。

The area’s high water table also gave rise to Hongze Lake, and, as long ago as 200 CE, the Hongze Lake Levee, a stone shelter stretching for 60.1 kilometres built along the Lake’s shoreline. Still playing a vital role in guarding the safety of the region today, the Hongze Lake Levee is one of the most important heritage sites on China’s Grand Canal, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

该地区的高水位也催生了洪泽湖，早在公元200年，洪泽湖堤岸就是沿着湖岸线建造的绵延60.1公里的石质庇护所。 洪泽湖堤今天仍然在保护该地区的安全方面发挥着至关重要的作用，是中国大运河上最重要的遗产之一，被联合国教科文组织列为世界遗产。

With waster transport playing such a critical role in Huai’an to this day, so too have major, water-related infrastructure projects been advanced solidly in recent years, among which was the reinforcement of the Hongze Lake Levee.

时至今日，随着瓦斯运输在淮安发挥着如此关键的作用，近年来与水相关的重大基础设施项目也得到了坚实的推进，其中包括加强洪泽湖堤。

On the private-industry front, many Taiwan-based firms have set up operations in Huai’an on account of favourable policies and generous government assistance, notably Foxconn, the infamous supplier to Apple. Then there is the homegrown success story that is CCGrass, the world’s largest producer of artificial grass, which maintains its first mega factory in Huai’an.

在私营行业方面，由于有利的政策和慷慨的政府援助，许多台湾公司在淮安开展了业务，特别是臭名昭著的苹果供应商富士康。 然后是本土的成功故事，CCGrass，世界上最大的人造草生产商，在淮安拥有第一家大型工厂。

When it comes to transportation, presently under construction is the Huai’an metro network that shall ultimately comprise seven lines on a total track length of 255 kilometres. For the moment though, the city stands distinct for having the first of two long tram lines. With no less than 23 stops across the downtown area and over a track length of 20 kilometres, there is no overhead catenary; trams instead recharge onboard batteries at stops en route.

在交通方面，目前正在建设的是淮安地铁网络，最终将由七条线路组成，总轨道长度为255公里。 不过，就目前而言，这座城市因拥有两条长长的有轨电车线路中的第一条而脱颖而出。 市中心不少于23个站点，轨道长度超过20公里，没有高架架；相反，有軌電車在途中的站点上的电池充电。

Huai’an is a bit under 2 hours by high-speed train from Nanjing and less than 3 hours from Shanghai. The city is also served by Huai’an Lianshui International Airport.

从南京乘坐高铁到淮安不到2小时，从上海不到3小时。 淮安连水国际机场也为这座城市提供服务。