Abstract:
The Ming and Qing Dynasties saw the development of local economy and shaping of the urban system in Shaanxi with the help of transaction between the Wei River and Qinling mountainous region. The high mountains and deep valleys in the north of the Qinling Mountains made up an executive whole, in which the development of county economy led to market prosperity and growth of the urban system in the plains. The pattern of urban system shaped by transaction between mountains and plains showed the following two features: firstly, a high degree of market development and complete system of market and great economic towns commercially connected with several provinces around; secondly, a concentrated ribbon-structure distribution of towns. Although located in the centre of northwestern China in Si Jianya’s watershed division, a even-structured and standard-geometric system of towns was little likely to shape with restriction and intervention of geographic features and executive division.
