Cities and Towns in China that Start with Y

Below is the list of cities and towns in 🇨🇳 China whose name begins with the letter Y. You will also find some general information about each of them.

Name Province Population
Yantai Shandong 7,020,000
Yangzhou Jiangsu 4,460,000
Yibin Sichuan 4,610,000
Yinchuan Ningxia 2,300,000
Yingkou Liaoning 2,320,000
Yueyang Hunan 5,350,000
Yuxi Yunnan 2,430,000
Yuncheng Shanxi 5,130,000
Yan’an Shaanxi 2,250,000
Yangquan Shanxi 1,360,000
Yichang Hubei 4,160,000
Yining Xinjiang 1,550,000

Yantai

**Pronunciation:** “Yen-tai” Yantai is a coastal city in Shandong province, known for its wine production and beautiful seaside views. The name “Yantai” means “smoke tower,” referring to watchtowers used in ancient times to warn against pirates. Today, Yantai is known for its vineyards and seafood, making it a popular tourist destination.

Yangzhou

**Pronunciation:** “Yang-joe” Yangzhou, located in Jiangsu province, is famous for its historical canals and gardens. The city’s name means “Yang Prefecture,” and it has been a center of trade and culture for centuries, especially during the Tang dynasty. Known for Yangzhou fried rice and its traditional craftsmanship, Yangzhou remains a city of cultural significance.

Yibin

Pronunciation: “Ee-bin” Yibin, located in Sichuan province, is famous for its production of Wuliangye, one of China’s most famous brands of baijiu (a Chinese liquor). The name “Yibin” means “the city where the river begins,” referencing its location at the confluence of the Jinsha and Min rivers, which form the Yangtze River.

Yinchuan

Pronunciation: “Yin-chwan” Yinchuan is the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The name “Yinchuan” means “silver river” or “silver plains,” a reflection of its scenic landscape along the Yellow River. The city is known for its Muslim Hui culture and serves as an important center for trade and history along the ancient Silk Road.

Yingkou

Pronunciation: “Ying-kow” Yingkou, a port city in Liaoning province, has historically been an important trade hub due to its access to the Bohai Sea. The name “Yingkou” refers to the “mouth of Ying” (a river), symbolizing its location at the river’s mouth. Today, it remains a vital port for northeastern China.

Yueyang

Pronunciation: “Yoo-ay-yang” Yueyang, located in Hunan province, is known for its famous Yueyang Tower, which overlooks Dongting Lake. The city is steeped in literary and historical significance, with its name meaning “mountain of Yue.” It is an important industrial city, but it also draws tourists for its scenic lake views and ancient architecture.

Yuxi

Pronunciation: “You-she” Yuxi is a city in Yunnan province, known for its tobacco industry and scenic beauty. The name “Yuxi” means “jade stream,” symbolizing its connection to the natural landscape. The city’s mild climate and rolling hills make it a notable location for tea and tobacco production.

Yuncheng

Pronunciation: “Yoon-cheng” Yuncheng, located in Shanxi province, is rich in history and culture, especially connected to ancient salt production. The name “Yuncheng” means “transport city,” reflecting its historical role in the salt trade. The city is also home to several historic temples and scenic landscapes.

Yan’an

Pronunciation: “Yan-an” Yan’an, in Shaanxi province, is historically significant as the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party during the 1930s and 1940s. The city’s name refers to its location along the Yan River. Today, it is known for its revolutionary history and serves as a pilgrimage site for people interested in China’s modern history.

Yangquan

Pronunciation: “Yang-choo-an” Yangquan, located in Shanxi province, is an industrial city known for coal mining. Its name, which means “sunny spring,” contrasts with its industrial nature. Despite its heavy industry, the city has made efforts to improve its environmental conditions while continuing to be a significant energy producer for China.

Yichang

Pronunciation: “Ee-chang” Yichang, in Hubei province, is famous for its proximity to the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric power station in the world. The city’s name means “benefit and prosperity,” reflecting its growing economic significance. Yichang is a key city along the Yangtze River and an important hub for logistics and energy production.

Yining

Pronunciation: “Ee-ning” Yining, also known as Gulja, is located in Xinjiang and serves as a cultural crossroads near the Kazakhstan border. Its name refers to the peace (“ning”) in its fertile plains. Yining is known for its ethnic diversity, with a large population of Uyghur, Kazakh, and other Central Asian groups, making it a melting pot of cultures.

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