The Taihang Mountains (Chinese: 太行山; pinyin: Tàiháng Shān) are a Chinese mountain range running down the eastern edge of the Loess Plateau in Shanxi, Henan and Hebei provinces. The range extends over 400 kilometres (250 mi)[1] from north to south and has an average elevation of 1,500 to 2,000 metres (4,900 to 6,600 feet). The principal peak is Mount Xiaowutai (2,882 metres (9,455 feet)).[1] The Taihang's eastern peak is Mount Cangyan in Hebei; Baishi Mountain forms its northern tip.[citation needed]
| Taihang Mountains | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Mount Xiaowutai |
| Elevation | 2,882 m (9,455 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 400 km (250 mi) |
| Geography | |
  Taihang Mountains Location in China  Taihang Mountains Taihang Mountains (China) | |
| Country | China |
| Provinces | Shanxi, Henan and Hebei |
| Range coordinates | 38°N 113°E / 38°N 113°E |
Background
The Taihang Mountains were formed during the Jurassic. Brown forest and Cinnamon soils are found here.[2]
The name of Shanxi Province, meaning "west of the mountains", derives from its location west of the Taihang Mountains.[3] The name of Shandong Province (east of the mountains) originally applied to the area east of the Xiao Mountains, but by the Tang dynasty it refers to the area east of the Taihang Mountains; this entity evolved into the modern-day Shandong Province, though the actual border of the province has moved considerably to the east.[4]
The Hai River system runs through the Taihang Mountains.[2] The Red Flag Canal is located on the south edge of the Taihang Mountains.
The Shijiazhuang–Taiyuan high-speed railway crosses under the Taihang Mountains via the Taihang Tunnel, which, at almost 28 kilometres (17 mi), is the third longest railway tunnel in China.[citation needed]
Many references to this range in “Fanshen” by William Hinton, with their significance in the Chinese Socialist revolution.[citation needed]
Gallery
Scenery of Taihang Mountain
See also
- The Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountains (Chinese: 愚公移山), One of the two mountains mentioned in the ancient Chinese myth, the other is Mount Wangwu.
- Taihangshan Gorge of China
References
External links
- "A Walk in the Taihang Mountains". Shanghai Star. March 10, 2005. Archived from the original on March 22, 2005. Retrieved January 30, 2014.