Zhījīn

Zhījīn lies in the karst highlands of western Guizhou, a country of limestone hills and caves. The area formed part of the domain of the hereditary rulers of Shuǐxī, whose territory was divided into districts known as zéxī. Following the Qing defeat of the Shuǐxī chief, Píngyuǎn Prefecture was established here in 1665 from four of those districts. The town was long known as Píngyuǎn; Zhījīn Street and Zhījīn Pass east of the old town preserved the name by which the place is now known.