Linfen

Linfen () is a prefecture-level city in the southwest of Shanxi province, China, bordering Shaanxi province to the west. Linfen City is located in the southern part of Shanxi Province, with the remaining branches of Taiyue to the east and the Luliang Mountains to the west. In the middle is a vast river valley plain, with the Fen River mainstream running across the north and south, and the land on both sides is fertile. It is situated along the banks of the Fen River. It has an area of and according to the 2020 Census, a population of 3,976,481 inhabitants of which 959,198 live in the built-up (or metro) area made up of Yaodu urban district. The GDP of Linfen ranked second in Shanxi Province. It was known as Pingyang () during the Spring and Autumn period. In 2006, the American Blacksmith Institute listed Linfen as one of the ten most polluted cities in the world, but air quality had improved by 2023.

Prior to 1978, Linfen was famous for its spring water, greenery and rich agriculture and therefore nicknamed "The Modern Fruit and Flower Town". Since then it has been developing into a main industrial center for coal mining, which has significantly damaged the city's environment, air quality, farming, health and its previous status as a green village.