Xuzhou (Chinese: 徐州; pinyin: Xúzhōu; Postal Map Spelling: Hsuchow), known as Pengcheng (Chinese: 彭城; pinyin: PéngChéng) in ancient times, is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China. It is known for its convenient location as a transportation hub in northern Jiangsu, as it has expressways an railway links connecting directly to the provinces of Henan and Shandong, the neighbouring city of Lianyungang, as well as the economic hub Shanghai.