When Geography Defies Expectations

China’s vast landscape is dotted with place names that seem straightforward—Shanxi (west of the Taihang Mountains), Henan (south of the Yellow River), Hunan and Hubei (north and south of Lake Dongting). Yet many others defy logic. Why does Beijing, a landlocked city, have landmarks like “Zhongnanhai” (Central and South Seas)? Why does Zaoyang (literally “Jujube Sun”) not produce jujubes? These names, seemingly mismatched with reality, hold layers of history, cultural adaptation, and linguistic evolution.

The Case of “Seas” Without Water

Take Shichahai, a scenic area in Beijing whose name translates to “Ten Temple Sea.” Despite its aquatic moniker, it’s a network of lakes. The term “hai” (sea) traces back to the Yuan Dynasty, when Mongolian rulers referred to lakes as “haizi.” Historical records describe a sprawling waterway system linking the Grand Canal to Beijing’s urban core, vital for transporting grain and goods. Over time, temples and shrines (the “ten temples”) dotted the shores, cementing the name. Similarly, Zhongnanhai, now China’s political nerve center, inherited its “sea” label from this era.

Zaoyang: A Jujube Mystery

Zaoyang, Hubei, poses another riddle. Named during the Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE), its “jujube” prefix has no agricultural basis. Theories abound: Some argue it derives from “Zaoyang Village”; others point to the archaic character “棘” (jujube) used in nearby Yiyang County’s ancient name. A third, less plausible claim suggests jujubes once thrived here. Modern efforts to cultivate winter jujubes now aim to align the name with reality—a literal “makeover” centuries in the making.

Xiantao: From Goose Feathers to Peaches

Xiantao (“Immortal Peach”), another Hubei city, spent over a millennium as Mianyang until 1986. Folklore offers two explanations for its fruity rebrand: One ties it to the peach-shaped land between the Han and Jinrui Rivers; the other cites a Tang Dynasty envoy’s poetic plea to Emperor Taizong after losing a tribute goose (“A gift’s worth lies in sincerity, not size—goose feather from afar”). The tale birthed the name “Xian’e Tao” (Escaped Immortal Goose), later simplified to Xiantao. Today, the city grows “Xiantao No. 1” peaches, finally living up to its name.

When Names Outgrow Geography

### Shandong: Not Where You’d Think

Shandong (“East of the Mountains”) doesn’t refer to the Taihang Mountains, as commonly assumed. Historically, “Shan” denoted the Xiaoshan and Hangu Pass east of Qin Dynasty territory. The Jin Dynasty (1115–1234) formalized Shandong as an administrative region, later expanded under Ming rule to include Liaodong (now part of Liaoning). Modern Shandong, far smaller, sits mostly northeast of Taihang—proof that names often outlive their original contexts.

### Hainan… in Qinghai?

Qinghai’s Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, south of Qinghai Lake, dwarfs Hainan Province in size (44,500 vs. 35,400 sq km). Similarly, Henan County in Qinghai, named for its position south of the Yellow River, shares only a homonym with Henan Province. These administrative quirks highlight how geography and bureaucracy intertwine.

The Ultimate Reversal: When Names Contradict Reality

### Haifeng and Lufeng: Coastal Irony

In Guangdong’s Shanwei City, Haifeng (“Sea Abundance”) and Lufeng (“Land Abundance”) defy expectations. Historically, Haifeng encompassed vast coastlines under its Jin Dynasty name, “Nanfeng” (Southern Abundance). Yet today, Lufeng boasts more harbors and islands. The twist? Lufeng was carved from Haifeng in 624 CE, its name blending “Lu’an” (an old county) and “Haifeng.” The Ming Dynasty’s military settlements here left linguistic traces like “Junhua dialect,” still spoken by descendants of garrison troops.

### Dongfang: The “Eastern” City in the West

Hainan’s Dongfang City (“Eastern City”) sits on the island’s western edge. Its name hails from the Dongfang Village in the eastern highlands—”Dongfang” being a transliteration of the黎 (Li) ethnic word for “village.” Established in 1952, the county’s misplaced directional name stuck, a reminder of how indigenous languages shape geography.

Legacy and Modern Identity

These names, though perplexing, reflect China’s layered history—Mongolian toponyms, Tang poetry, and黎族 (Li) linguistics coexist on modern maps. Today, cities like Zaoyang and Xiantao bridge past and present by cultivating namesake crops, while places like Dongfang own their quirks as cultural artifacts. As historian Mark Elliott notes, “Place names are palimpsests,” each erasure and addition telling a story. In China, where a “sea” can be a lake and “east” can mean west, the stories are particularly rich.

From imperial decrees to folk legends, the tales behind these names invite us to look beyond the map—and listen for the echoes of history in every syllable.