It is easy to learn the meaning of the names for Chinese provinces, territories, and regions. Many of the names have geographical references built into the name. Knowing the meaning of the geographical references such as north, south, lake, and river will also help you when you look at other words in Chinese. Some names have the idea of the area, such as peace or cloud, as part of the name.
Chinese Meaning: Geographical area or activity
An=peace
Bei = north
Dong = east
Chuan = river
Fu = strong
Gan = pleasant
Gang = fragrant
Goa = bay
Guang = vast
Gui = noble
Hai = lake
He = river
Hei = black
Hu = lake
Hui = beautiful
Ji = lucky
Jin = ford
Jian = establishment
Jiang = river (usually a large river)
Jiang = territory
Jing = capital
Liao = distant
Lin = forest
Ling = tranquility
Long = dragon
Nan = south
Nei = inner
Ning = peace
Qing = greenish blue
Shaani = narrow
Shan = mountain
Si = four
Su = respectful
Tai = platform
Tian = heavenly
Xi = west
Xia = summer
Xiang = harbor
Xin = new
Yun = clouds
Zhi = winding
Zhou = state
Zhong = middle/central
Chinese Meaning: Provinces
Anhui = peaceful and beautiful
Fujian = strong establishment
Gansu = pleasant and respectful
Guangdong = vast area to the east
Guizhou = noble state
Hainan = south of the sea
Hebei = north of the river
Heilongjiang = black dragon river
Henan = south of the river
Hubei = north of the lake
Hunan = south of the lake
Jiangsu = awakening river
Jiangxi = west of the river
Jilin = lucky forest
Liaoning = distant tranquility
Qinghai = greenish blue sea
Shaanxi = narrow area to the west
Shandong = east of the mountain
Shanxi = west of the mountain
Sichuan = four rivers
Taiwan= platform in the bay
Yunnan = south of the clouds
Zhejiang = winding river
Chinese Meaning: Autonomous Regions
Guangxi = vast area to the west
Nei Monggol = inner Mongolia
Ningxia = summer tranquility
Tibet (Xinjiang) = new territory
Chinese Meaning: Special Administrative Regions
Hong Kong (Xianggang) = fragrant harbor
Macao (Aomen) = ama bay (aomen from ‘ama goa’ [Ama = patron goddess of sailors])
