North China

North China (Chinese: 华北) is a geographical region of the People's Republic of China. It includes five important areas: the cities of Beijing and Tianjin, the provinces of Hebei and Shanxi, and the Inner Mongolia region. Sometimes, a few parts east of the Greater Khingan Range are considered part of Northeast China instead.

This area is part of a larger region called Northern China (Beifang), located north of the Qinling–Huaihe Line. The center of North China is the flat North China Plain. Most people here speak versions of Northern Chinese languages, such as Mandarin. The way people speak in Beijing helped create the official language called Standard Chinese, also known as Standard Mandarin. Other languages spoken in the area include Jin Chinese and Mongolian, shaped by the region's rich history.

History

In ancient times, the area now called North China was home to early cultures like the Yangshao and Longshan cultures. Important fossils, such as Peking Man, were found near today’s Beijing.

The main farming area of China was the Central Plain, between the Yangtze River to the south and the Yellow River to the north. North of the Yellow River lies the dry Gobi Desert and open lands stretching west into Eurasia. This area has long, cold winters and not much water.

Even with these challenges, people farmed here, especially raising animals like horses and camels. Two types of grain, called Panicum Miliaceum and Setaria Italica, which are kinds of millet, grew naturally in northern China. These grains were found in places like Hebei province and Inner Mongolia, showing that people have been growing food in this tough land for thousands of years.

Administrative divisions in the PRC

Cities with urban area over one million in population

Provincial capitals in bold.