CHI-NAN FU

chi-nan fu, the capital of shan-tung, china, in 36° 40' n., 117° 1' e. pop. about 100,000. it is situated in one of the earliest settled districts of the chinese empire. the city, which lies in the valley of the present channel of the yellow river (hwang-ho), and about 4 m. south of the river, is surrounded by a triple line of defence. first is the city wall, strongly built and carefully guarded, outside this a granite wall, and beyond this again a mud rampart. three springs outside the west gate throw up streams of tepid water to a height of about 2 ft. this water, which is highly prized for its healing qualities, fills the moat and forms a fine lake in the northern quarter of the city. chi-nan fu was formerly famous for its manufacture of silks and of imitation precious stones. it is now the chief commercial entrepot of western shan-tung but no longer a manufacturing centre. a highway connects it with the yellow river, and it is joined by a railway 280 m. long to kiaochow. the city has a university for instruction on western lines, and an efficient military school. american presbyterians began mission work in the city in 1873; it is also the see of a roman catholic bishop.