Shanxi is one of China's central Provinces lying in the upper North-East of the country, adjacent and west of Hebei Province, the location of the National Capital Beijing. Neighboring Provinces are in clockwise direction - Shaanxi Province in the West (across the Yellow River), very large Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (AR) in the North, to the East lies Hebei Province and to the South and East Henan Province.
Being at a high altitude, Shanxi Province has a cold and dry climate and has an annual rainfall of between 400-600 millimeters. The province is also frequently plagued by sandstorms, especially in the spring, so it is often useful to bring along both sunglasses and a hat when visiting. Generally speaking, the province's climate is the best between May and October.
Shanxi is rich in coal and iron. The largest concentrations of coalmines are around Datong in the north, Taiyuan and Yangquan in the centre, and Jincheng in the south. Pingshuo, China's second-largest open-cast coal mine, is located in the province. Taiyuan is an important iron- and steel-producer, and has engineering and chemical industries. Datong is a major railway junction and coalmining centre, with heavy engineering and cement works. Agriculture in the valley is largely dependent upon irrigation, the principal crops being winter wheat, sorghum, and millet. Cotton and hemp are also grown. Shanxi is traditionally renowned for its pears and Chinese dates. Further west in the province agricultural yields become poorer, mainly because of the dryness of the climate. Shanxi Province produces a great variety of fruits. The main ones are pears and dates. The best pears are produced in Yuangping. Dates from Jihan have small cores, thick pulp and rich sugar content. Qingxu has a long history in grape-growing and is noted for the variety of grape it produces. Other fruits include smooth-shelled walnuts of Fenyang, persimmons of Jishan and wild jujubes of Jiaocheng. Chinese medicinal herbs grown in this province include Dangshen, the roots of membranous milk vetch (Astragalus membranaceus) and licorice roots. Shanxi Province produces the famous Guilingji and Dingkun pellet, patent Chinese medicine. The aged vinegar of Qingxu County is one of the famous vinegars in China.
Taiyuan City is the seat of the Central Government of Shanxi Province, which is a major heavy industrial center with a booming growth, and significant responsibility for the energy supply of China and thus the national economy. Also traditionally functioning as a central railway transportation hub,TaiYuan is an administrative center now easily accesible by air through its National Airport (TaiYuan). Further TaiYuan is recently home to a growing tourist industry, mainly focussed on PingYao TaiYuan, The Capital lies strategically located in the center of the Province, reachable from the rough North from Datong and ShuoZhou West along Heng Shan and Yunzhong Shan, and from the East through the NiangZi Valley (NiangTseGuan) from ShiJiazhuang in Hebei Province and the Central Chinese Plain.
Guandi Temple is situated at Yuncheng, Shanxi province, it nears to the silver lake (salt pond), facing the Zhongtiao mountain. As china’s key Cultural relic preserve, the total area is more than 66,600 square meters. With beaytiful scenery, there is a famous Jieyi garden composed by gentleman pavilion, three righteousness Chinese style pavilions, lotus pond, and rockery.
Famen Temple is located in Baoji, Shanxi province, it was first built in the late eastern Han dynasty. It is famous for preserving the Buddhist relics. The pagoda is very high facing to Taibai mountain groups. It reached its prosperity in Song Dynasdy. |
