Founded as a Han-dynasty garrison along the Hexi Corridor. The name comes from a legend about General Huo Qubing (
霍去病) pouring imperial wine into a spring (
酒泉 'wine spring') so all his soldiers could share the gift. Today it's globally known for the
酒泉卫星发射中心 (Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center) — China's manned spaceflight base, despite the actual launch site sitting in Inner Mongolia.
