Compared with ancient times, the meaning of the Central Plains in contemporary times has been reduced, especially in most parts of Henan and its neighboring areas.
Middle reaches of the Yellow River: most of Shanxi, north-central Shaanxi, and central and western Henan.
Lower reaches of the Yellow River: eastern Henan, south-central Hebei and western Shandong.
The boundary range of the Central Plains in history;
The northern boundary is in the areas of northwestern Shanxi, northwestern Shaanxi and northern Hebei.
South to Qinling-Funiu Mountain, northern Anhui, northern Jiangsu,
East to west Shandong,
West to Longdong and Tianshui.
Its core is centered on Shanxi, Shaanxi and Henan provinces, which is proved by archaeological and historical documents.
There are many ancient capitals in the Central Plains, especially Chang 'an, Luoyang and Kaifeng. Miao Xiyong's "Buried Sutra Wing" in the Ming Dynasty once mentioned: Chang 'an in Guanzhong is the ridge of the world and the first in the Central Plains. Luoyang, Henan, is the quintessence of the Central Plains.
The definition scope of Central Plains in historical ancient books;
The northern boundary is Taiyuan (the north gate of the Central Plains), Yehuling, Zhangjiakou, and Hebei, south of Beijing.
Jin's "Book of Passing Jinyang Old City": "The North Gate of the Central Plains is in a good situation and wants to see the clouds." (Jinyang is now Taiyuan)
In the fourteenth year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty: "Fu Weijing, south of the Central Plains."
Yuan's Northbound Ridge: "The north and south of the Central Plains are limited to Xiling, and the wild fox is higher than Dagengding" (Xiling refers to the mountain of Malaysia, and the wild fox is the wild fox of Zhangbei).
South boundary —————————— Qinling-Funiu Mountain
"Model": "The Central Plains in the north is still in the old capital." Shu is located at the southern foot of Qinling Mountains.
East boundary ———————— Huaian
"Boarding Chuzhou City": "Today's trip to the Central Plains is three miles, and a jade belt wears the sky." (Chuzhou, now Huai 'an, Jiangsu)
West —————————— Longnan, Gansu, Tianshui, Guyuan, Ningxia and Yulin, Shaanxi.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: "Shu soldiers have reached Qishan and invaded the Central Plains. Is Qing Anren sitting idly by? " Qishan is located in Longnan and Tianshui, and its arrival means the invasion of the Central Plains.
Famous Mountain Collection in Ming Dynasty: "Shaanxi Sanchao is also the gateway to the Central Plains." (The three towns in Ming Dynasty were trilateral towns such as Yulin in Shaanxi and Guyuan in Ningxia)