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Provinces of Shensi and Kánsuh.
Shensi (west of the Pass) and Kánsuk, previous to the reigns of Kienlung, formed but one province. The territory thus formed ex- sends from lat. 32° to 40′ N., and long 5o 5 to 17° W. of Peking. It borders to the north upon Inner Mongolia, to the south upon Húpeh and Sz'chuen ; to the east upon Shármí, and to the west upon Mongolia and Soungaria. The Great Wall runs along its northern frontiers. Several mountain ridges pass through Sbensí. The Yellow river flows along the Great Wall, crossing it twice before entering Mongolia. The Wei Ho
one of the largest rivers
in China, flows into the Yellow River in lat. 34° 40′. The Loh ho are two large tributaries of the
洛河 and Wáting ho無定河
same falling into it further north.
The capital of Shensi, Si-ngán, fú, situated in lat. 34° 16′ 45′′ N. long. 108° 57′ 45′′ E. is renowned as the metropolis of the empire in the Táng dynasty, and is still much the largest city in this part of the country, containing some remains of its former grandeur. This eity is celebrated abroad as the place where an ancient monu- ment of the Nestorian missionaries in China was discovered. The governor-general of this and Kansuh province resides here, having under his control a large body of troops. Of the remaining towns, Hánchung fú in the west, on the Hán river is the largest. Its latitude is 32° 56′ 10′′ N. long. 107° 12′ 25′′ E. The city of Yülin fú in lat. 38° 18′ 08′′ N, and long, 109° 22′ 30′′ E. is the station of a force to overrule the Mongols beyond the Great Wall, and receive the peltry brought in from that region.
The capital of Kánsuh is Lánchau fú in lat. 36° 08^ 24 " N. and long 103° 55′ E. on the south side of the Yellow River. At Sining fú, in lat. 36° 39' 20" N. long. 100° 48' E. the governor of Koko-nor has his residence. Ninghia fû in the north-east part of the provonce in lat. 38° 32′ 40′′ N. and long, 106° 07′ 30′′ E. is the largest town on the borders of the desert. The pass called Kiayu kwán is gradually rising in importance from its being the first settlement when coming in from the desert. Duties are levied here, and a garrison maintain. ed. West of this pass lie the towns of Barkoul, Hami, Turfan, and Oroumtsi, with other settlements, ruled partly by Chinese officers, and partly by the chieftains of the various tribes. Oroumtsi is more than two thousand miles from Peking, and the communication be. tween them is constant,