Xichang

Xichang is the capital of the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, in Sichuan, China. Population (2004): 126,700.

Geography

Xichang lies in the southwest of China near the border of southern Sichuan. The city is just northeast of the prefecture-level city of Panzhihua. The Anling River, which runs into the Jinsha River (Yangtze River headwaters), is the main river in the Xichang area. Xichang is in a rather mountainous region in Sichuan, especially to the west.

Transportation

Xichang railway station is the main station in Xichang. There are also some other stations in the city, including Xichang north railway station and Xichang south railway station.

The city possesses its own airport, Xichang Qingshan Airport, which is attached to the spaceport by a railroad line and a motorway directly.

Spaceport

Xichang's spaceport is located about 64 km northwest of the city and went into operation in 1984. Communications satellites are the most common payload to be inserted into orbit from here. A number of Long March 3 rockets have been launched successfully from the spaceport.

External links

• http://www.astronautix.com/sites/xichang.htm
• http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/china/xichang.htm
• A World Away From Beijing, By ROSS TERRILL. The New York Times, December 20, 1987.

Coordinates: 27°53′57″N 102°16′12″E / 27.89917°N 102.27°E / 27.89917; 102.27