Línxiàn

Linxian occupies rugged country in western Shanxi, above the Yellow River. South of the county town, the river receives the Qiushui and rushes over the Datong rapids. The river port of Qikou grew near this difficult stretch of water, becoming a trading centre in the Ming and Qing periods. Merchants brought goods to its wharves and moved them overland across the mountains, while temples and houses clustered on the slopes above the river.