Shaanxi Administrative Divisions
Shaanxi Province has a rich administrative history that has evolved significantly over the decades. Shaanxi Province, abbreviated as "Shan" (陕) or "Qin" (秦), is a provincial-level administrative region of the People's Republic of China. The capital city is Xi'an (西安). It is located in the heart of China, along the middle reaches of the Yellow River. To the east, it borders Shanxi (山西) and Henan (河南); to the west, Ningxia (宁夏) and Gansu (甘肃); to the south, Sichuan (四川), Chongqing (重庆), and Hubei (湖北); and to the north, Inner Mongolia (内蒙古). The province lies between longitudes 105°29′ and 111°15′ east, and latitudes 31°42′ and 39°35′ north, covering a total area of 205,624.3 square kilometers.
Historical Changes in Administrative Division
On March 12, 1953, Xi'an (西安) was designated as a municipality directly under the central government. In June 1954, it was reclassified as a provincial city and merged into Shaanxi Province.
- August 1, 1966: Tongchuan (铜川) became a provincial city.
- 1984: Xianyang (咸阳) region was abolished; Xianyang City established.
- August 1980: Baoji (宝鸡) region merged with Baoji City, changing to a prefecture-level city administration.
- May 1995: Weinan (渭南) region abolished; Weinan City established.
- February 21, 1996: Hanzhong (汉中) region abolished; Hanzhong City established.
- January 8, 1997: Yan'an (延安) region reclassified as Yan'an City.
- July 1997: Yangling (杨凌) Agricultural High-tech Industry Demonstration Zone established.
- July 1, 2000: Yulin (榆林) region abolished; Yulin City established.
- December 2000: Ankang (安康) region abolished; Ankang City established.
- August 2001: Shangluo (商洛) region abolished; Shangluo City established.
- January 2014: Xixian New Area (西咸新区) approved.
- January 2017: Xi'an managed Xixian New Area.
Administrative Structure as of June 2023
Shaanxi Province consists of 10 prefecture-level cities, with a total of 31 urban districts, 7 county-level cities, and 69 counties. The People's Government of Shaanxi Province is located in the New District of Xi'an City.
Details of Administrative Divisions in Shaanxi Province
Xi'an (Xi'an 西安)
Historically known as Chang'an (长安), Xi'an is one of the four great ancient capitals and the starting point of the Silk Road. The total area is 10,752 square kilometers, comprising 11 districts and 2 counties:
- Districts: Xincheng (新城区), Beilin (碑林区), Lianhu (莲湖区), Yanta (雁塔区), Baqiao (灞桥区), Weiyang (未央区), Yanliang (阎良区), Lintong (临潼区), Chang'an (长安区), Gaoling (高陵区), Huyi (鄠邑区).
- Counties: Lantian (蓝田县), Zhouzhi (周至县).
Tongchuan (Tongchuan 铜川)
Located at the junction of the Guanzhong Basin and Shaanbei Plateau, Tongchuan covers an area of 3,882 square kilometers and administers:
- Districts: Wangyi (王益区), Yintai (印台区), Yaoxian (耀州区).
- County: Yijun (宜君县).
Baoji (Baoji 宝鸡)
Known as the "hometown of the Flame Emperor," Baoji covers 18,117 square kilometers, divided into:
- Districts: Weibin (渭滨区), Jintai (金台区), Chencang (陈仓区).
- Counties: Qishan (岐山县), Fufeng (扶风县), Meixian (眉县), Long (陇县), Qianyang (千阳县), Linyou (麟游县), Feng (凤县), Taibai (太白县).
Xianyang (Xianyang 咸阳)
Xianyang, in the Qin River Valley, covers 10,189.4 square kilometers and consists of:
- Districts: Qindu (秦都区), Yangling (杨陵区), Weicheng (渭城区).
- Counties: Sanyuan (三原县), Jingyang (泾阳县), Qian (乾县), Liquan (礼泉县), Yongshou (永寿县), Changwu (长武县), Xunyi (旬邑县), Chunhua (淳化县), Wugong (武功县), Xingping (兴平市), Binzhou (彬州市).
Weinan (Weinan 渭南)
Weinan, the hometown of historical figures like Cang Jie, covers 13,030 square kilometers, comprising:
- Districts: Linwei (临渭区), Huazhou (华州区).
- Counties: Tongguan (潼关县), Dali (大荔县), Heyang (合阳县), Chengcheng (澄城县), Pucheng (蒲城县), Baishui (白水县), Fuping (富平县), Hancheng (韩城市), Huayin (华阴市).
Yan'an (Yan'an 延安)
Yan'an, situated in the northern part of Shaanxi, covers 37,000 square kilometers and includes:
- Districts: Baota (宝塔区), Ansai (安塞区).
- Counties: Yanchang (延长县), Yanchuan (延川县), Zhidan (志丹县), Wuqi (吴起县), Ganquan (甘泉县), Fu (富县), Luochuan (洛川县), Yichuan (宜川县), Huanglong (黄龙县), Huangling (黄陵县), Zichang (子长市).
Hanzhong (Hanzhong 汉中)
Hanzhong, the birthplace of Han culture, covers 27,000 square kilometers, with:
- Districts: Hantai (汉台区), Nanzheng (南郑区).
- Counties: Chenggu (城固县), Yang (洋县), Xixiang (西乡县), Mian (勉县), Ningqiang (宁强县), Lueyang (略阳县), Zhenba (镇巴县), Liuba (留坝县), Foping (佛坪县).
Ankang (Ankang 安康)
Ankang, known as the "land of abundance," covers 27,000 square kilometers, with:
- Districts: Hanbin (汉滨区).
- Counties: Shiquan (石泉县), Ziyang (紫阳县), Hanyin (汉阴县), Ningshan (宁陕县), Langao (岚皋县), Pingli (平利县), Zhenping (镇坪县), Baihe (白河县), Xunyang (旬阳县).
Shangluo (Shangluo 商洛)
Shangluo, a "green oasis," covers 25,000 square kilometers, consisting of:
- Districts: Shangluo (商州区).
- Counties: Danfeng (丹凤县), Zhashui (柞水), Shanyang (商南县), Luochuan (洛川县).
Shaanxi Province has undergone significant administrative changes, reflecting its rich historical and cultural background. Today, it consists of diverse cities and counties, each contributing to the province's heritage and development.
