Datong Travel Guide Location: 1,200 metres high in the north, northern part of Shanxi Province, the center of Datong Basin Neighboring Areas: Hebei, Henan, and Shaanxi Provinces; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Physical Features: surround by mountains, Yu River running across from south to north, and its central and south part are occupied by plains, topography slopes down from northwest to southeast Population: 926,000 Area: 2,071 sq km Nationalities: Han History: once served as capital during the North Wei dynasty, named Heng'an county in North Qin dynasty, renamed Yunzhong in Sui dynasty, became Datong government office in Ming and Qing dynasties. After the founding of P.R.C., belongs to Shanxi province Climatic Features: dry and windy, big temperature difference between day and night, annual rainfall 400-500mm, and frost-free 125 day Average Temperature: 6.4C Rainfall: an annual precipitation of 400-500mm Rivers: Yu River, Shili River, Kouquan River Products: grain, corn, potato, wheat, hulless oat, vegetable Local Highlights: copper pot, ceramic |