A report on Shaanxi, Qinling, Xi'an and Mount Hua

The Qinling or Qin Mountains, formerly known as the Nanshan ("Southern Mountains"), are a major east–west mountain range in southern Shaanxi Province, China.

Xi'an (, ; ; Chinese: ), frequently spelled as Xian and also known by other names, is the capital of Shaanxi Province.

Mount Hua is a mountain located near the city of Huayin in Shaanxi Province, about 120 km east of Xi'an.

Xi'an – which includes the sites of the former Chinese capitals Fenghao and Chang'an – is the provincial capital as well as the largest city in Northwest China and also one of the oldest cities in China and the oldest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals, being the capital for the Western Zhou, Western Han, Jin, Sui and Tang dynasties.

It is located near the southeast corner of the Ordos Loop section of the Yellow River basin, south of the Wei River valley, at the eastern end of the Qin Mountains, in Southern Shaanxi Province.

Central Shaanxi (or "Shaanzhong") is also known as the Guanzhong region and comprises the drainage basin of lower Wei River east of Mount Long and north of the Qinling Mountains, where the majority of Shaanxi's population reside.

The highest mountain in the range is Mount Taibai at 3767 m, which is about 100 km west of the ancient Chinese capital of Xi'an.

Three culturally significant peaks in the range are Mount Hua (2155 m), Mount Li (1302 m), and Mount Maiji (1742 m).

One of the most devastating earthquakes in history occurred near Hua Shan, in south-eastern part of Shaanxi Province on January 23, 1556, killing an estimated 830,000 people (see 1556 Shaanxi earthquake).

The city borders the northern foot of the Qin Mountains (Qinling) to the south, and the banks of the Wei River to the north.

Hua Shan, one of the five sacred Taoist mountains, is located 100 km away to the east of the city.