Shanxi Province , abbreviated as “Jin”, is situated in central China , midstream of the Yellow River, and west to the Taihang Mountain . It covers an area of 156,000 square kilometers and has a population of 33.55 million. There are 11 cities and 119 counties under its jurisdiction. Shanxi has continental climate in North Temperate Zone with clear-cut four seasons.

　　The majority of Shanxi is above 1,000 meters in altitude and 2/3 of the province is covered by the mountain area and the hi lls .