Datong

Location: 1,200 meters high in the north, northern part of Shanxi Province, the center of Datong Basin

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: 6.4℃

Rainfall: an annual precipitation of 400-500mm