HSUAN-CH'ENG

formerly (until 1912) Ning-kuo, Pinyin Xuancheng, or Ningguo, city in southeastern Anhwei sheng (province), China. Hsan-ch'eng is the natural centre of the basin north of the Huang Mountains and lies on the route from Nanking and Wu-hu south to She-hsien and to Kiangsi province. Hsan-ch'eng was founded on its present site in 590. In 592 Hsan-ch'eng became the name of the county, and under the T'ang dynasty (618907) the prefecture was also named Hsan. In the late 8th century it became the seat of a provincial governor, who was made a military governor in 892, Ning-kuo being the name of his command. In 1166 Hsan became a superior prefecture with the name Ning-kuo, retaining this name until 1912, when the superior prefecture was abolished and the city became the seat of Hsan-ch'eng county. Hsan-ch'eng is a regional market for rice, as well as for other grains and oilseeds. The surrounding area also produces silk and green tea; much of the tea is processed in Wu-hu. The town is famous throughout China for its Hsan papera special type used for paintingmade from the bark of the blue sandalwood tree, which is grown locally. Hsan-ch'eng is linked with Wu-hu by road. Pop. (1990) 112,673.