Life

In English, we refer to origin of certain things by turning city, region or even country names into adjectives. Some examples are Sicilian cuisines, Broadway theatre, and Texan accent.

This is done differently in China due to the language. In Chinese, we use single-character abbreviations instead.

For example, the abbreviations are used to describe the cuisine, such as 湘 Xiang dishes (Hunan cuisine), 川 Chuan dishes (Sichuan cuisine), or 粤 Yue dishes (Cantonese cuisine). They can be also for opera, such as 京 Jing opera (Peking opera) or 豫 Yu opera (Henan opera).

These abbreviations appear in vehicle license plates, and they are often used in restaurant names and menus.

Municipalities

Beijing – 京 (Jīng)

The abbreviation of Beijing is 京 (jīng), as a shortening of its name and also emphasise that it is the capital.

Beijing literally means north (北 bĕi) capital (京 jīng). The character 京 (jīng) means capital. It acquired the name during the Ming dynasty to distinguish it from the previous capital, Nanjing, which literally means south (南 nán) capital (京 jīng).

Chongqing – 渝 (Yú)

Chongqing is abbreviated as 渝 (yú). It was the Yu Prefecture (渝州) during the Sui Dynasty. Although the city was renamed during Northern Song, the old town in the city centre is called Yuzhong (渝中). The name Yu identified strongly with the city and is used as a nickname and official abbreviation for the city.

Shanghai – 沪 (Hù)

Shanghai’s abbreviation is 沪 (hù), a contraction of 沪渎 (hù dú), which literally means “harpoon ditch”. During the Jin Dynasty, the hù was a harpoon used by fishermen living in the Shanghai area, where the mouth of the Suzhou Creek flowed into the ocean. Thus, the area became known as Hudu, and hù became a common nickname and eventually the official abbreviation for Shanghai.

Tianjin – 津 (Jīn)

Tianjin is abbreviated as 津 (jīn), a shortening of its name. Tianjin literally means heaven (天 tīan) ford (津 jīn).

There are several stories attributed to the origin of the city’s name. The most common is that Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty bestowed the name after he crossed Tianjin’s Gu River to overthrow his nephew Emperor Jianwen in the south.

Provinces

Anhui – 皖 (Wǎn)

The Anhui Province was established during the Reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. Prior to that, the region was known as the Wan (皖) area because it was the State of Wan during the Spring and Autumn Period.

The mountain and river in the small kingdom of Wan were known as Mount Wan and Wan River respectively. Thus, the name Wan has been associated with the region historically. The significance of this heritage led to the province having the official abbreviation of 皖 (wǎn).

Fujian – 闽 (Mǐn)

Fujian’s official abbreviation is 闽 (mǐn). The term refers to the Min-speaking people, the group of people living in the Fujian region historically. It also refers to the main river in the province, the Min River.

The State of Yue was a kingdom from the Spring and Autumn Period in Zhejiang. The State of Chu annexed the kingdom in 306 BC and the surviving royal family fled to Fujian where it continued to reign as the Minyue Kingdom. It lost its status as a kingdom under the Qin Dynasty, but regained its status as a tributary kingdom under the Han Dynasty. The Minyue Kingdom was eventually conquered by the Han Dynasty as it expanded south.

After the fall of the Tang Dynasty, General Wang set up the Min Kingdom during the period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. The Southern Tang absorbed the Min Kingdom after the latter succumbed to internal strife after the death of its founding monarch. Despite the fall of the Kingdom, the Min heritage persisted through the cultural and language.

Gansu – 甘 (Gān)

The Gansu province has the official abbreviation 甘 (gān), a contraction of its name. The term Gan refers to the Zhangye city that was formerly known as Ganzhou (甘州 gān zhōu), also known as Campichu in Marco Polo’s Travels.

Guangdong – 粤 (Yuè)

Guangdong is officially abbreviated as 粤 (yuè) due to the Yue-speaking people in the province. The people in the region spoke Yue Chinese, often referred to as Cantonese. The term Canton is etymologically derived from Cantão, the Portuguese transliteration of the term Guangdong.

Guizhou – 贵 (Guì)

Guizhou’s official abbreviation is 贵 (guì), a contraction of its name.

Hainan – 琼 (Qióng)

The Hainan province has the official abbreviation 琼 (qióng) due to its former names Qiongya (琼崖 qióng yá) and Qiongzhou (琼州 qióng zhōu).

Hebei – 冀 (Jì)

Hebei is abbreviated as 冀 (jì) as a nod to the Ji Province (冀州 jì zhōu) of the Han Dynasty.

Heilongjiang – 黑 (Hēi)

Heilongjiang is officially abbreviated as 黑 (hēi), a shortening of its name. The province is named after the river Amur, known as Heilongjiang in Chinese, which literally means Black Dragon River.

Henan – 豫 (Yù)

The Henan province is abbreviated as 豫 (yù). Yu the Great (大禹 dà yŭ), the founding ruler of the Xia Dynasty, divided ancient China into Nine Provinces. Yu Province (豫州 yù zhōu) was the area where Henan is.

Hubei – 鄂 (È)

Hubei’s official abbreviation is 鄂 (è) due to its heritage from the Western Zhou Dynasty. The eastern part of Hubei was known as the State of E during the Western Zhou Dynasty.

Another popular abbreviation for the province is 楚 (chǔ), named after the State of Chu that existed in the region during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.

Hunan – 湘 (Xiāng)

The Hunan province uses the abbreviation 湘 (xiāng), after the Xiang River that runs through the province from south to north.

Jiangsu – 苏 (Sū)

Jiangsu is abbreviated as 苏 (sū), a contraction of its name. Jiangsu is named after the two cities, Jiangning (now known as Nanjing) and Suzhou.

Jiangxi – 赣 (Gàn)

The Jiangxi province has the official abbreviation 赣 (gàn), named after the Gan River that runs across the province from south to north, into the Yangtze River. Jiangxi is also known as the Ganpo Dadi (贛鄱大地), which literally means the Great Land of the Gan River and the Poyang Lake.

Jilin – 吉 (Jí)

Jilin is officially abbreviated as 吉 (jí), a shortening of its name, which literally means auspicious (吉 jí) forest (林 lÍn). Jilin is actually shortened from the Manchu phrase jilin wula (吉林乌拉), which means along the river.

Liaoning – 辽 (Liáo)

Liaoning province has the abbreviation 辽 (liáo), a contraction of its name, and also a nod to the Liao River that flows through the region.

Qinghai – 青 (Qīng)

The official abbreviation for Qinghai is 青 (qīng), a contraction of its name. The province is named after the Qinghai Lake, the largest lake in China.

Shaanxi – 陕 (Shǎn)

The Shaanxi province’s abbreviation is 陕 (shǎn), a shortening of its name. Shaanxi literally means West of the Shan pass.

Shandong – 鲁 (Lǔ)

Shandong is abbreviated as 鲁 (lǔ), after its nickname 齐鲁 (qílǔ). During the Spring and Autumn period, the States of Qi and Lu existed in the region. Although the State of Qi was a major power during its time, the State of Lu became renowned for being the home of Confuscius and Mozi. Thus, the State of Lu bears immense cultural influence and the term Lu holds great heritage significance for the province.

Shanxi – 晋 (Jìn)

Shanxi’s official abbreviation is 晋 (jìn), named after the State of Jin that existed in the province during the Spring and Autumn period.

Sichuan – 川 (Chuān)

Sichuan province uses the abbreviation 川 (chuān), a contraction of its name. Sichuan is the contraction of the term Sì Chuānlù (四川路) referring to division of the Northern Song Dynasty’s administrative circuit in the area into four. Chuan refers to plains.

Sichuan also has the nickname 巴蜀 (bāshŭ), in reference to the States of Ba and Shu that occupied the Sichuan Basin during the Spring and Autumn period. The term Shu continued to be a significant heritage for the region, with later states in the area using the same name, such as Shu during the Three Kingdoms period, and Former Shu and Later Shu during the Ten Kingdoms period. The term Shu is still often used to refer to Sichuan.

Yunnan – 云 (Yún)

Yunnan’s official abbreviation is 云 (yún), a contraction of its name. Yunnan literally means South of the Yunling Mountains.

The province is also abbreviated as 滇 (diān), after Lake Dian in the region. The area in central Yunnan was referred to as Dian during the Spring and Autumn period, after General Zhuang Qiao of Chu established the Dian Kingdom.

Zhejiang – 浙 (Zhè)

The Zhejiang province is abbreviated as 浙 (zhè), a contraction of its name. The province is named after the Zhe River, later renamed as Qiantang River, that flows through the region.

Autonomous regions

Guangxi – 桂 (Guì)

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region’s official abbreviation is 桂 (guì), named after the city of Guilin, which was the provincial capital during the Ming and Qing dynasties, before Nanning was made capital.

Inner Mongolia – 蒙 (Měng)

The official abbreviation for Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is 蒙 (měng), a contraction of its Chinese name 内蒙古 (nèi měnggǔ).

Ningxia – 宁 (Níng)

Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has the official abbreviation 宁 (níng), a contraction of its name. Ningxia

Xizang – 藏 (Zàng)

Xizang Tibetan Autonomous Region’s official abbreviation is 藏 (zàng), a contraction of its name.

Xinjiang – 新 (Xīn)

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region uses the abbreviation 新 (xīn), a contraction of its name.

I get asked pretty often about the car vehicle license plates in China, so I figured I’ll write the information down in an article as a quick guide I can point people to.

First character

Municipality, province, or autonomous region.

The first character in the licence plate is the Chinese character abbreviation of the municipality, province or autonomous region where the vehicle is registered.

While some of the characters are direct abbreviations of the provincial names, others are characters that bear significance for the region they represent.

Municipalities

• Beijing – 京
• Chongqing – 渝
• Shanghai – 沪
• Tianjin – 津
  

Provinces

• Anhui – 皖
• Fujian – 闽
• Gansu – 甘
• Guangdong – 粤
• Guizhou – 贵
• Hainan – 琼
• Hebei – 冀
• Heilongjiang – 黑
• Henan – 豫
• Hubei – 鄂
• Hunan – 湘
• Jiangsu – 苏
• Jiangxi – 赣
• Jilin – 吉
• Liaoning – 辽
• Qinghai – 青
• Shaanxi – 陕
• Shandong – 鲁
• Shanxi – 晋
• Sichuan – 川
• Yunnan – 云
• Zhejiang – 浙

Autonomous regions

• Guangxi – 桂
• Inner Mongolia – 蒙
• Ningxia – 宁
• Xizang Tibetan Autonomous Region – 藏
• Xinjiang – 新

Second character

District, county or city.

The second character in the licence plate is a Latin character that indicates the city of registration. For provinces and autonomous regions, The letter A is assigned to the capital.

For example, vehicle plates in Guangzhou start with 粤A while those in Shenzhen start with 粤B. Both Guangzhou and Shenzhen are in the Guangdong province, so they have 粤 as the first character. Guangzhou is the capital city of Guandong and is assigned the letter A, while Shenzhen is assigned the letter B.

See the full lists at the end of the article.

New Energy vehicles

New Energy vehicles licence plates were introduced on 21 November 2016 and were issued since 1 December 2016 in Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuxi, Jinan, and Shenzhen. These later became adopted country-wide in 2018. These registration plates are green, making them easy to spot.

Before the introduction of these licence plates, New Energy vehicles used the conventional registration plates. The New Energy vehicles licence plates were created to encourage the adoption of New Energy vehicles. The benefits of getting the New Energy vehicles licence plates are a shorter waiting list and no registration fees required. These are attractive perks in large cities like Shenzhen where motorist have to ballot for the registration plates and pay a hefty sum for the licence plates.

The New Energy vehicles licence plate added another character to the registration plate. A “D” indicates an electric vehicle, while an “F” indicates other types of New Energy vehicles. The position of this character depends on the size of the vehicle. For Small New Energy vehicles, it comes after the city character. For Large New Energy vehicles, it is the last character of the licence plate.

List of districts, counties and cities

Municipalities

Beijing

• 京A (yellow plates) – Buses
• 京C, 京E, 京F, 京H, 京J, 京K, 京L, 京M, 京P, 京Q – Urban area
• 京B – Taxis
• 京G – Suburbs
• 京N, 京P, 京Y – Suburbs and urban area
• 京A, 京LB, 京LC – Foreigner or foreign company-owned vehicle
• 京O·A – Ministry of Public Security
• 京V – Central Guard Bureau of Beijing Garrison Military License
  

Chongqing

District prefixes were abolished after 18 May 2017.

• 渝A – Urban area
• 渝B – Urban area
• 渝C – Yongchuan District, Jiangjin, Hechuan, Tongnan County, Tongliang County, Bishan County, Dazu County, Qijiang County, Rongchang County
• 渝D – Urban area
• 渝F – Wanzhou District, Liangping County, Chengkou County, Wushan County, Wuxi County, Zhong County, Kaizhou District, Fengjie County, Yunyang County
• 渝G – Fuling District, Nanchuan, Dianjiang County, Fengdu County, Wulong County
• 渝H – Qianjiang District, Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County

Shanghai

• 沪A, 沪B, 沪D, 沪E, 沪F, 沪G, 沪H, 沪J, 沪K, 沪L, 沪M, 沪N – Urban area and suburbs.
• 沪C – Suburbs, not allowed to enter the urban area (not allowed to travel within the Outer Ring).
• 沪R – Chongming Island, Changxing Island, Hengsha Island, not allowed to leave the places above.

For the third character of the license plates (with 4 digits following):

• Z – New energy vehicles (except licenses begin with 沪A and 沪C).
• M, N, U to X – Taxis.
• Y – Vehicles for rent, owned by car renting operators.

Tianjin

• 津A, 津B, 津C, 津F, 津G, 津H, 津I, 津J, 津K, 津L, 津M, 津N, 津P, 津Q, 津R – General issues
• 津E – Taxis

Provinces

Anhui

• 皖A- Hefei
• 皖B – Wuhu
• 皖C – Bengbu
• 皖D – Huainan
• 皖E – Ma’anshan
• 皖F – Huaibei
• 皖G – Tongling
• 皖H – Anqing
• 皖J – Huangshan
• 皖K – Fuyang
• 皖L – Suzhou
• 皖M – Chuzhou
• 皖N – Lu’an
• 皖P – Xuancheng
• 皖Q – former Chaohu (prefecture-level)
• 皖R – Chizhou
• 皖S – Bozhou

Fujian

• 闽A – Fuzhou
• 闽B – Putian
• 闽C – Quanzhou
• 闽D – Xiamen
• 闽E – Zhangzhou
• 闽F – Longyan
• 闽G – Sanming
• 闽H – Nanping
• 闽J – Ningde
• 闽K – Provincial-level agencies, Pingtan Island
• 闽O – Police vehicles

Gansu

• 甘A – Lanzhou
• 甘B – Jiayuguan
• 甘C – Jinchang
• 甘D – Baiyin
• 甘E – Tianshui
• 甘F – Jiuquan
• 甘G – Zhangye
• 甘H – Wuwei
• 甘J – Dingxi
• 甘K – Longnan
• 甘L – Pingliang
• 甘M – Qingyang
• 甘N – Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture
• 甘P – Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Guandong

• 粤A – Guangzhou (粤AQ – Panyu)
• 粤B – Shenzhen
• 粤C – Zhuhai
• 粤D – Shantou
• 粤E – Foshan (粤EV – Gaoming, 粤ET – Sanshui)
• 粤F – Shaoguan
• 粤G – Zhanjiang
• 粤H – Zhaoqing (粤HL – Sihui)
• 粤J – Jiangmen
• 粤K – Maoming
• 粤L – Huizhou
• 粤M – Meizhou
• 粤N – Shanwei
• 粤O – Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department
• 粤P – Heyuan
• 粤Q – Yangjiang
• 粤R – Qingyuan
• 粤S – Dongguan
• 粤T – Zhongshan
• 粤U – Chaozhou
• 粤V – Jieyang
• 粤W – Yunfu
• 粤X – Shunde (District of Foshan, discontinued issuing from February 2018)
• 粤Y – Nanhai (District of Foshan, discontinued issuing from February 2018)
• 粤Z – Hong Kong and Macau vehicles frequently travelling to the mainland. The registration number has 4 alphanumerics, suffixed with either 港 (for Hong Kong) or 澳 (for Macau).

Guizhou

• 贵A – Guiyang
• 贵B – Liupanshui
• 贵C – Zunyi
• 贵D – Tongren
• 贵E – Qianxinan
• 贵F – Bijie
• 贵G – Anshun
• 贵H – Qiandonnan
• 贵J – Qiannan

Hainan

• 琼A – Haikou
• 琼B – Sanya
• 琼C – Qionghai, Wenchang, Wanning, Ding’an, Tunchang, Chengmai，Lingao
• 琼D – Wuzhishan, Dongfang, Baisha, Changjiang, Ledong, Lingshui, Baoting, Qiongzhong
• 琼E – Yangpu Economic Development Zone
• 琼F – Danzhou

Hebei

• 冀A – Shijiazhuang
• 冀AT – Shijiazhuang taxis
• 冀B – Tangshan
• 冀BT – Tangshan taxis
• 冀C – Qinhuangdao
• 冀D – Handan
• 冀E – Xingtai
• 冀F – Baoding
• 冀G – Zhangjiakou
• 冀H – Chengde
• 冀J – Cangzhou
• 冀R – Langfang
• 冀T – Hengshui

Heilongjiang

• 黑A – Harbin
• 黑B – Qiqihar
• 黑C – Mudanjiang
• 黑D – Jiamusi
• 黑E – Daqing
• 黑F – Yichun
• 黑G – Jixi
• 黑H – Hegang
• 黑J – Shuangyashan
• 黑K – Qitaihe
• 黑L – Area of the Sungari River (now considered part of Harbin)
• 黑M – Suihua
• 黑N – Heihe
• 黑P – Daxing’anling Prefecture
• 黑R – Farming system

Henan

• 豫A – Zhengzhou
• 豫B – Kaifeng
• 豫C – Luoyang
• 豫D – Pingdingshan
• 豫E – Anyang
• 豫F – Hebi
• 豫G – Xinxiang
• 豫H – Jiaozuo
• 豫J – Puyang
• 豫K – Xuchang
• 豫L – Luohe
• 豫M – Sanmenxia
• 豫N – Shangqiu
• 豫P – Zhoukou
• 豫Q – Zhumadian
• 豫R – Nanyang
• 豫S – Xinyang
• 豫U – Jiyuan

Hubei

• 鄂A – Wuhan
• 鄂B – Huangshi
• 鄂C – Shiyan
• 鄂D – Jingzhou
• 鄂E – Yichang
• 鄂F – Xiangyang
• 鄂G – Ezhou
• 鄂H – Jingmen
• 鄂J – Huanggang
• 鄂K – Xiaogan
• 鄂L – Xianning
• 鄂M – Xiantao
• 鄂N – Qianjiang
• 鄂P – Shennongjia
• 鄂Q – Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
• 鄂R – Tianmen
• 鄂S – Suizhou

Hunan

• 湘A – Changsha
• 湘B – Zhuzhou
• 湘C – Xiangtan
• 湘D – Hengyang
• 湘E – Shaoyang
• 湘F – Yueyang
• 湘G – Zhangjiajie
• 湘H – Yiyang
• 湘J – Changde
• 湘K – Loudi
• 湘L – Chenzhou
• 湘M – Yongzhou
• 湘N – Huaihua
• 湘U – Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

Jiangsu

• 苏A – Nanjing
• 苏B – Wuxi
• 苏C – Xuzhou
• 苏D – Changzhou
• 苏E – Suzhou
• 苏F – Nantong
• 苏G – Lianyungang
• 苏H – Huai’an
• 苏J – Yancheng
• 苏K – Yangzhou
• 苏L – Zhenjiang
• 苏M – Taizhou
• 苏N – Suqian
• 苏U – Suzhou extra (approved in October 2018)

Jiangxi

• 赣A – Nanchang
• 赣B – Ganzhou
• 赣C – Yichun
• 赣D – Ji’an
• 赣E – Shangrao
• 赣F – Fuzhou
• 赣G – Jiujiang
• 赣H – Jingdezhen
• 赣J – Pingxiang
• 赣K – Xinyu
• 赣L – Yingtan

Jilin

• 吉A – Changchun
• 吉B – Jilin City
• 吉C – Siping
• 吉D – Liaoyuan
• 吉E – Tonghua
• 吉F – Baishan
• 吉G – Baicheng
• 吉H – Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture
• 吉J – Songyuan

Liaoning

• 辽A – Shenyang
• 辽B – Dalian
• 辽C – Anshan
• 辽D – Fushun
• 辽E – Benxi
• 辽F – Dandong
• 辽G – Jinzhou
• 辽H – Yingkou
• 辽J – Fuxin
• 辽K – Liaoyang
• 辽L – Panjin
• 辽M – Tieling
• 辽N – Chaoyang
• 辽O – Police Vehicles
• 辽P – Huludao

Qinghai

• 青A – Xining
• 青B – Haidong
• 青C – Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
• 青D – Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
• 青E – Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
• 青F – Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
• 青G – Gyêgu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
• 青H – Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Shaanxi

• 陕A – Xi’an
• 陕AT – Taxis in Xi’an
• 陕AU – Taxis in Xi’an
• 陕AV – Provincial-level agencies
• 陕B – Tongchuan
• 陕C – Baoji
• 陕D – Xianyang
• 陕E – Weinan
• 陕F – Hanzhong
• 陕G – Ankang
• 陕H – Shangluo
• 陕J – Yan’an
• 陕K – Yulin
• 陕V – Yangling Gaoxin Agricultural Zone

Shandong

• 鲁A – Jinan
• 鲁B – Qingdao
• 鲁C – Zibo
• 鲁D – Zaozhuang
• 鲁E – Dongying
• 鲁F – Yantai
• 鲁G – Weifang
• 鲁H – Jining
• 鲁J – Tai’an
• 鲁K – Weihai
• 鲁L – Rizhao
• 鲁M – Binzhou
• 鲁N – Dezhou
• 鲁O – Police vehicles (phased out in 2019)
• 鲁P – Liaocheng
• 鲁Q – Linyi
• 鲁R – Heze
• 鲁S – Laiwu
• 鲁U – Qingdao Extra (for taxis, tour buses, etc.)
• 鲁V – Weifang Extra
• 鲁W – Provincial-level agencies (phased out in 2019)
• 鲁Y – Yantai Extra

Shanxi

• 晋A – Taiyuan
• 晋B – Datong
• 晋C – Yangquan
• 晋D – Changzhi
• 晋E – Jincheng
• 晋F – Shuozhou
• 晋H – Xinzhou
• 晋J – Lüliang
• 晋K – Jinzhong
• 晋L – Linfen
• 晋M – Yuncheng

Sichuan

• 川A – Chengdu
• 川B – Mianyang (former Chongqing, sub-provincial city)
• 川C – Zigong
• 川D – Panzhihua
• 川E – Luzhou
• 川F – Deyang
• 川G – Chengdu extra (former Mianyang)
• 川H – Guangyuan
• 川J – Suining
• 川K – Neijiang
• 川L – Leshan
• 川M – Ziyang (former Wanxian, now merged into Chongqing)
• 川N – former Fuling (now merged into Chongqing)
• 川O – issued by Vehicle Management Office of Sichuan Provincial Public Security Department
• 川P – former Qianjiang Prefecture (now merged into Chongqing)
• 川Q – Yibin
• 川R – Nanchong
• 川S – Dazhou
• 川T – Ya’an
• 川U – Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture
• 川V – Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
• 川W – Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture
• 川X – Guang’an
• 川Y – Bazhong
• 川Z – Meishan

Yunnan

• 云A – Kunming
• 云B – former Dongchuan (prefecture-level, now merged into Kunming)
• 云C – Zhaotong
• 云D – Qujing
• 云E – Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture
• 云F – Yuxi
  • A “T” is further appended to taxis, for example 云FT1234.
• 云G – Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture
• 云H – Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
• 云J – Pu’er
• 云K – Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture
• 云L – Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture
• 云M – Baoshan
• 云N – Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture
• 云P – Lijiang
• 云Q – Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture
• 云R – Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
• 云S – Lincang

Zhejiang

• 浙A – Hangzhou
• 浙B – Ningbo
• 浙C – Wenzhou
• 浙D – Shaoxing
• 浙E – Huzhou
• 浙F – Jiaxing
• 浙G – Jinhua
• 浙H – Quzhou
• 浙J – Taizhou
• 浙K – Lishui
• 浙L – Zhoushan
• 浙O – Black license plates belonging to cars registered to foreign enterprises

Autonomous regions

Guangxi

• 桂A – Nanning
• 桂B – Liuzhou
• 桂C – Guilin
• 桂D – Wuzhou
• 桂E – Beihai
• 桂F – Chongzuo
• 桂G – Laibin
• 桂H – Guilin
• 桂J – Hezhou
• 桂K – Yulin
• 桂L – Baise
• 桂M – Hechi
• 桂N – Qinzhou
• 桂P – Fangchenggang
• 桂R – Guigang

Inner Mongolioa

• 蒙A – Hohhot
• 蒙B – Baotou
• 蒙C – Wuhai
• 蒙D – Chifeng
• 蒙E – Hulunbuir
• 蒙F – Hinggan League
• 蒙G – Tongliao
• 蒙H – Xilin Gol League
• 蒙J – Ulaan Chab
• 蒙K – Ordos
• 蒙L – Bayan Nur
• 蒙M – Alxa League

Ningxia

• 宁A – Yinchuan
• 宁B – Shizuishan
• 宁C – Wuzhong
• 宁D – Guyuan
• 宁E – Zhongwei

Xizang

• 藏A – Lhasa
• 藏B – Qamdo
• 藏C – Shannan
• 藏D – Xigazê
• 藏E – Naqu
• 藏F – Ngari Prefecture
• 藏G – Nyingchi

Xinjiang

• 新A – Ürümqi
• 新B – Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture
• 新C – Shihezi
• 新D – Kuitun
• 新E – Börtala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
• 新F – Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture
• 新G – Qoqek
• 新H – Altay
• 新J – Karamay
• 新K – Turpan
• 新L – Hami
• 新M – Bayin’gholin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
• 新N – Aksu Prefecture
• 新P – Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture
• 新Q – Kashgar
• 新R – Hotan
• 新S – Kunyu