Xixia County (simplified Chinese: 西峡; traditional Chinese: 西峽; pinyin: Xīxiá; postal: Sisia) is a county in the southwest of Henan province, China, bordering Shaanxi province to the west. It is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Nanyang, and has an area of 3,452 km2 (1,333 sq mi) and a population of 420,000 as of 2002.

History

The region has a relatively long history. 6000 years ago, there were human settlements within the territory, and throughout history, it was mostly an important county town. In December 1949, Xixia was rebuilt as a county.

Geography

Secondly, the location is relatively unique. Xixia County is located at the boundary between the warm temperate zone and the northern subtropical zone, and the boundary between the humid and semi humid areas.

Economy

It is a transportation hub in adjacent areas. There are relatively abundant resources. There are mainly five types of resources: forest, medicine, mining, water, and tourism.

Administrative divisions

As of 2012, this county is divided to 3 subdistricts, 10 towns and 6 townships.

Subdistricts

  • Baiyu Subdistrict (白羽街道)
  • Zijin Subdistrict (紫金街道)
  • Lianhua Subdistrict (莲花街道)

Towns

  • Danshui (丹水镇)
  • Xiping (西坪镇)
  • Shuanglong (双龙镇)
  • Huiche (回车镇)
  • Dinghe (丁河镇)
  • Sangping (桑坪镇)
  • Miping (米坪镇)
  • Wuliqiao (五里桥镇)
  • Taiping (太平镇)
  • Chongyang (重阳镇)

Townships

  • Tianguan Township (田关乡)
  • Yangcheng Township (阳城乡)
  • Zhaigen Township (寨根乡)
  • Shijiehe Township (石界河乡)
  • Junmahe Township (军马河乡)
  • Erlangping Township (二郎坪乡)

Climate

Climate data for Xixia, elevation 250 m (820 ft), (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1981–present)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)21.3 (70.3)23.8 (74.8)34.6 (94.3)35.7 (96.3)39.5 (103.1)41.2 (106.2)40.5 (104.9)38.2 (100.8)39.1 (102.4)35.1 (95.2)29.5 (85.1)22.5 (72.5)41.2 (106.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)8.1 (46.6)11.3 (52.3)16.5 (61.7)23.0 (73.4)27.7 (81.9)31.3 (88.3)32.1 (89.8)31.1 (88.0)27.0 (80.6)22.1 (71.8)16.0 (60.8)10.3 (50.5)21.4 (70.5)
Daily mean °C (°F)2.7 (36.9)5.5 (41.9)10.5 (50.9)16.4 (61.5)21.3 (70.3)25.3 (77.5)27.1 (80.8)26.0 (78.8)21.5 (70.7)16.2 (61.2)10.1 (50.2)4.6 (40.3)15.6 (60.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−1.2 (29.8)1.4 (34.5)6.0 (42.8)11.4 (52.5)16.2 (61.2)20.6 (69.1)23.4 (74.1)22.4 (72.3)17.9 (64.2)12.3 (54.1)6.2 (43.2)0.8 (33.4)11.5 (52.6)
Record low °C (°F)−8.9 (16.0)−9.7 (14.5)−4.2 (24.4)−0.1 (31.8)4.3 (39.7)12.7 (54.9)16.6 (61.9)15.4 (59.7)8.1 (46.6)0.6 (33.1)−4.3 (24.3)−11.5 (11.3)−11.5 (11.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)15.6 (0.61)15.3 (0.60)34.9 (1.37)51.6 (2.03)79.2 (3.12)96.9 (3.81)184.7 (7.27)138.7 (5.46)101.3 (3.99)60.9 (2.40)31.0 (1.22)11.1 (0.44)821.2 (32.32)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)5.25.77.98.59.89.513.512.511.39.57.15.1105.6
Average snowy days5.13.51.000000000.82.412.8
Average relative humidity (%)63636365646777787671686268
Mean monthly sunshine hours128.9121.6158.5190.5195.1193.8188.5187.5149.4147.9141.1138.61,941.4
Percentage possible sunshine41394249454543464143464544
Source: China Meteorological Administration

Transportation

Specialty

Zhongjing Mushroom Sauce: Zhongjing mushroom sauce uses Xixia mushroom and is cooked using a unique process. The mushroom grains in Zhongjing mushroom sauce are distinct and the sauce aroma is rich. Both rice and noodles are very delicious. And there are many flavors of this mushroom sauce, including original, spicy, and Orleans flavors.

Xixia Kiwi is a specialty of Xixia County, Nanyang, and also a geographical indication product of China. Xixia is located at the junction of temperate and subtropical regions, and is the earliest area in China to carry out artificial cultivation of kiwifruit. The unique climate conditions make the macaques produced in Xixia excellent in quality, rich in taste, and high in vitamin C.