Hsingan

Hsingan, also spelled Xing’an, refers to a major mountain system in Northeast China and the southern reaches of Inner Mongolia. The name derives from the Chinese characters Xing’an (兴安), meaning “prosperous peace.” The spelling Hsingan is the older Wade-Giles rendering still found in some historical texts and place names.

Geography and subdivisions: The Xing’an Mountains extend in a broad arc across parts of Heilongjiang Province, Inner Mongolia, and adjacent areas of Jilin. The chain comprises two principal subranges: the Greater Xing’an Mountains (Daxing’anling) and the Lesser Xing’an Mountains (Xiaoxing’anling). Peak elevations typically reach around 1,000 to 1,600 meters, with the highest points in several sections surpassing 1,600 meters.

Ecology and climate: The range lies at the junction of the Manchurian and Siberian forest belts and is largely covered by boreal and mixed coniferous forests. It acts as an ecological and climatic barrier, influencing regional weather patterns and serving as a significant watershed for surrounding basins. The area includes protected areas and is important for timber resources and biodiversity.

Economy and land use: The mountains have long supported forestry, mining, and pastoral activities. In recent decades, conservation programs and reforestation efforts have been undertaken to address deforestation, habitat loss, and soil stability in some areas.

Etymology and usage: The term Xing’an appears in numerous place names in the region, reflecting the cultural and historical significance of the range. Hsingan remains a historical transliteration found in older Western sources.

See also: Daxing’anling (Greater Xing’an Mountains); Xiaoxing’anling (Lesser Xing’an Mountains).