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TOPOGRAPHY. 195
trends eastward, Tung-kwan is the natural junction of several main routes, and in
the neighbourhood is the sacred Hoa-shan, a hill like the Tai-shan of Shantung,
covered with shrines and much frequented by pilgrims. Enthroned on the summit
and encircled by heavenly spirits is the " White Emperor" (Pei-hi), guardian of
the western provinces.
North Shansi, bordering on the Ordos country, is one of the least-known regions
in China. It is known, however, to contain some commercial places,
such as
Fucheic, in the valley of the Lo-ho ; Tangaii, in a rich coal and petroleum district
farther north ; Yulin-fu, at a gate in the Great Wall near the Mongolian steppe.
The northern division of Shansi, being more accessible, has been frequently visited
by European explorers, who have carefully studied its geology
and natural
resources. Here lies Taiyuan-fu, capital of the whole province, in a rich district
watered by the Fuen-ho, a tributary of the Hoang-ho. Like Peking, Taiyuan has
its Manchu quarter separated from the Chinese town by a lofty enclosure. It had
formerly a well-known manufactory of small arms, and it still contains a Government
arsenal and gun foundry. The district produces the best grapes in China,
from which the inhabitants make a good wine, following the method introduced by
the early Roman Catholic missionaries.
South and south-west of the capital are the busy towns of Hicwkno and Clti-
hien, and farther on are the flourishing cities of Taiku-liien and Changlan-chiii,
which have extensive relations with London, Marseilles, and San Francisco. Every
town and village of this district has its special industry woven goods, paper, hard-
ware, porcelain, bronzes while the coal mines are demand.
largely worked for the local
Before the Taiping revolt Piiigyrtng-ftt, in a sandy plain on the Fuen-ho, was
one of the largest places in Shansi ;
now it is a mass of ruins, from which, however,
it is gradually recovering. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, and within
2 miles of its triple enclosures lies the site of the imperial capital during the Yao
period, over forty-two centuries ago. Close by is a temple dedicated to the memory
of the three venerated Emperors, Yao, Shun, and Yu, and according to the legend
Yao lies buried in a grotto amongst the hills east of Pingyang. Several large
places, such as Pucheir-fu, Kiai-chetc, Nganyi, and Yuenching, lie in the south-cast
corner of Shansi, where the rich salt works supply the requirements of the whole
province, besides the greater portion of Shansi, Honan, and Kansu. The chief
saline stretches along the north side of a lake 18 miles long, whence is probably
extracted more salt than from any other spot in the world. The primitive method
of working it seems to have little changed since the time of Yao, yet it still yields
about 154,000 tons yearly, which is forwarded to the surrounding provinces chiefly
through Yuenching. The numerous saline springs of South Shcnsi and Honan
show that vast salt beds exist also in these regions. On the opposite slope of the
FungtttO-dnm salt marshes stretch away to the banks of the Hoang-ho,
the yellow-earth cliffs are everywhere saturated witli salt.
and here
Ik-low Tung-kwan towns and villages follow in rapid succession along both
sides of the Hoang-ho. Honan- fu, occupies the site of a former imperial capital,