Chinese Town Name Generator
Realistic Chinese town and village names with characters
Generate Chinese town names the way real small places are actually named: pinyin with the characters alongside, from Shiqiao and Liujiaqiao to Shilipu and Guandimiao, plus translated versions like Willow Ford and Old Kiln Village for maps, novels and fantasy settings.
About Chinese town names
Chinese towns and villages are named differently from cities. Where a city gets a dignified two-character name, a town is usually named after the thing that was there first: a bridge (Shiqiao, stone bridge), a ferry (Baimadu, white horse ferry), a temple (Guandimiao), a kiln, a salt pan or a market. The largest group is the clan village: a surname plus jia (family) plus a landform, giving Liujiaqiao, Wangjiazhuang and Sunjiatun, which read as 'the Lius' bridge', 'the Wangs' farmstead' and 'the Suns' settlement'.
Distance names mark old post roads: Shilipu (ten-li inn), Wulidun (five-li mound) and Ershilipu sit exactly that far from the county seat. Market suffixes tell you the region, since ji is a northern periodic market, xu a southern one and dian, pu or bu an inn or landing. Other endings add regional flavour: -zi in the Northeast (Dadianzi), -cuo in Fujian (Lincuo), -wei and -keng in Hakka Guangdong (Shangwei, Shikeng), -zhai in the southwest (Miaozhai) and -ying or -tun where Ming and Qing garrisons once farmed. Names like Hongqi, Tuanjie and Dongfeng date from the 1950s and 60s.
Each pinyin entry shows its simplified characters; the suffix zhen (town), xiang (township) or cun (village) follows the name on signs. The English entries are literal translations for fantasy maps or fiction for readers who do not speak Chinese.
How to choose Chinese town names
- Pick the suffix for the era and region: -ji and -pu for the North China plain, -xu and -cuo for Fujian and Guangdong, -zi for the Northeast, -zhai for Guizhou and Yunnan. Mixing them on one map looks wrong to anyone who knows China.
- For a clan village, use a common surname plus jia plus a landform (Zhangjiawan, Lijiaping, Zhaojiaba). A village named after a rare surname reads as odd, and Zhangjiakou is already a city.
- Distance names should be internally consistent: if Shilipu is ten li (about five kilometres) from your county town, Sanshilipu is thirty li out on the same road.
- Write the full form with its administrative word when you need it (Shiqiao Zhen, Wangjiazhuang Cun), but drop it in ordinary speech and on maps; locals say Shiqiao, not Shiqiao Town.
- For fantasy or translated fiction, either keep everything in pinyin or translate everything (Stone Bridge, Willow Ford); half-and-half naming breaks the illusion.
Frequently asked questions
How are Chinese towns and villages named?
Mostly after a local feature or founder: a bridge, ferry, temple, kiln, market or spring, or a clan surname plus jia and a landform, as in Liujiaqiao (the Lius' bridge). Others record distance along a post road (Shilipu, ten-li inn) or were given auspicious or political names like Taiping, Yongxing and Hongqi.
What is the difference between a Chinese town and a city name?
City names are usually two elegant characters granted by imperial or modern administration (Nanjing, Luoyang, Changsha). Town and village names are longer, more literal and often three syllables, naming the bridge, family or market the place grew up around. They carry an administrative suffix such as zhen, xiang or cun on official documents.
Can I use these names for a fantasy setting?
Yes. The pinyin names give a wuxia or historical-China feel, and the English entries like Willow Ford, Tiger Crossing and Old Kiln Village work for readers who want the flavour without the language. Keep to one style across a map and match suffixes to a single region.
Are these real Chinese towns?
Many match real towns and villages somewhere in China because the patterns are so common; there are dozens of places called Shiqiao, Wangjiazhuang or Shilipu. The list is built from authentic naming conventions rather than copied from a gazetteer, so treat it as plausible rather than as a map reference.
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All 500 Chinese town names
A: 3 names
- Ande (安德)
- Anle (安乐)
- Apricot Grove
B: 25 names
- Baihe (白河)
- Baihutou (白虎头)
- Baimadu (白马渡)
- Baiquan (白泉)
- Baisha (白沙)
- Baishan (白山)
- Baishatan (白沙滩)
- Baishuitan (白水滩)
- Baita (白塔)
- Baitang (白塘)
- Baiyang (白杨)
- Baizhang (百丈)
- Bajiao (八角)
- Bajiazi (八家子)
- Balidian (八里店)
- Bamboo Gate
- Banqiao (板桥)
- Baoquan (宝泉)
- Beidu (北渡)
- Beiguan (北关)
- Beimen (北门)
- Beitun (北屯)
- Beizhuang (北庄)
- Bell Tower Village
- Bixi (碧溪)
C: 23 names
- Caodang (草荡)
- Caojiaqiao (曹家桥)
- Caoliao (草寮)
- Caopu (草铺)
- Caoqiao (草桥)
- Caoshi (草市)
- Carp Gate
- Chachang (茶场)
- Chadian (茶店)
- Chaji (茶集)
- Changpo (长坡)
- Changsheng (长生)
- Changting (长亭)
- Chashan (茶山)
- Chating (茶亭)
- Chencuo (陈厝)
- Chenjiaping (陈家坪)
- Chestnut Ridge
- Cinnabar Hill
- Ciyao (瓷窑)
- Clear Spring Hamlet
- Crane Landing
- Cypress Well
D: 23 names
- Dadianzi (大甸子)
- Dajiangkou (大江口)
- Dalazi (大砬子)
- Dapingshang (大坪上)
- Dashi (大石)
- Dashuitang (大水塘)
- Datun (大屯)
- Daxikou (大溪口)
- Dayingzi (大营子)
- Dayushu (大榆树)
- Dazhai (大寨)
- Dazhuang (大庄)
- Dengjiapu (邓家铺)
- Dexing (德兴)
- Dong'ao (东澳)
- Dongfeng (东风)
- Dongkou (洞口)
- Dongmen (东门)
- Dongping (东坪)
- Dongxu (东圩)
- Dragon Well Village
- Drum Tower Market
- Dukou (渡口)
E: 2 names
- Erdaogou (二道沟)
- Ershilipu (二十里铺)
F: 11 names
- Fenghuangshan (凤凰山)
- Fenghuangtai (凤凰台)
- Fenghuangzui (凤凰嘴)
- Fengjiatun (冯家屯)
- Fengle (丰乐)
- Fengqiao (枫桥)
- Fenshuiling (分水岭)
- Ferry Head
- Five-Mile Mound
- Fushou (福寿)
- Fuxi (福溪)
G: 20 names
- Ganquan (甘泉)
- Gaobu (高埠)
- Gaojiatang (高家塘)
- Gaoling (高岭)
- Gaoping (高坪)
- Gaopu (高铺)
- Gaoqiao (高桥)
- Gaotun (高屯)
- Golden Sands
- Goose Pond
- Goukou (沟口)
- Guandimiao (关帝庙)
- Guangming (光明)
- Guanzhai (关寨)
- Gucheng (古城)
- Guishan (龟山)
- Gulou (鼓楼)
- Guochang (果场)
- Guojiaba (郭家坝)
- Gupu (古铺)
H: 48 names
- Hanjiaying (韩家营)
- Hebian (河边)
- Hedong (河东)
- Heigou (黑沟)
- Heishan (黑山)
- Heishuihe (黑水河)
- Heiyingzi (黑营子)
- Heizhai (黑寨)
- Hejiakou (何家口)
- Hekou (河口)
- Hengdu (横渡)
- Henggang (横岗)
- Hengshi (横石)
- Heping (和平)
- Heron Marsh Village
- Hetang (荷塘)
- Hetou (河头)
- Hewei (河尾)
- Hexi (河西)
- Hongba (红坝)
- Honggang (红岗)
- Hongqi (红旗)
- Hongqiao (红桥)
- Hongshigou (红石沟)
- Hongshilazi (红石砬子)
- Hongxing (红星)
- Hongya (红崖)
- Houpu (后铺)
- Houshan (后山)
- Huaishu (槐树)
- Huaishuzhuang (槐树庄)
- Huangkeng (黄坑)
- Huangkou (黄口)
- Huangling (黄岭)
- Huanglongtan (黄龙潭)
- Huanglou (黄楼)
- Huangnigang (黄泥岗)
- Huangniuling (黄牛岭)
- Huangpo (黄坡)
- Huangtu (黄土)
- Huangyangshu (黄杨树)
- Huangzhai (黄寨)
- Huata (花塔)
- Huiyao (灰窑)
- Hujiazhai (胡家寨)
- Hundred-Fathom Pool
- Huoshenmiao (火神庙)
- Hushan (虎山)
I: 1 name
- Iron Pagoda Market
J: 13 names
- Jade Stream Hamlet
- Jiangjiaba (蒋家坝)
- Jiangkou (江口)
- Jingtou (井头)
- Jinjiwan (金鸡湾)
- Jinshan (金山)
- Jintan (金滩)
- Jiudian (旧店)
- Jiufang (酒坊)
- Jiulipu (九里铺)
- Jiulongtang (九龙塘)
- Jiuzhai (旧寨)
- Jixiang (吉祥)
K: 2 names
- Kongzhuang (孔庄)
- Kuixingge (魁星阁)
L: 50 names
- Lamadian (喇嘛甸)
- Lantern Bridge
- Laocheng (老城)
- Laodian (老店)
- Laohuaishu (老槐树)
- Laohukou (老虎口)
- Laojie (老街)
- Laoqiaotou (老桥头)
- Laoyingzi (老营子)
- Lianchi (莲池)
- Lianghe (两河)
- Liangshuijing (凉水井)
- Liangtian (良田)
- Lianhuaping (莲花坪)
- Lianhuashan (莲花山)
- Lianji (莲集)
- Liantang (莲塘)
- Lijiawan (李家湾)
- Lilin (栗林)
- Linchang (林场)
- Lincuo (林厝)
- Lingquan (灵泉)
- Lingtou (岭头)
- Linjiacun (林家村)
- Liudu (六都)
- Liugou (柳沟)
- Liuhe (柳河)
- Liujiaqiao (刘家桥)
- Liupo (柳坡)
- Liupu (刘铺)
- Liuqiao (柳桥)
- Liushu (柳树)
- Liuyingzi (柳营子)
- Liuzhuang (柳庄)
- Liyuan (梨园)
- Longkeng (龙坑)
- Longquan (龙泉)
- Longshan (龙山)
- Longtang (龙塘)
- Longwan (龙湾)
- Longwangmiao (龙王庙)
- Longwangtang (龙王塘)
- Longwei (龙尾)
- Longxi (龙溪)
- Longzhai (龙寨)
- Lotus Pond
- Ludang (芦荡)
- Lujiazhai (卢家寨)
- Luojiashan (罗家山)
- Luotuowan (骆驼湾)
M: 24 names
- Machang (马场)
- Magpie Bridge
- Majiaying (马家营)
- Maoshan (茅山)
- Mashan (马山)
- Mashi (马市)
- Matan (马滩)
- Matou (码头)
- Meihuazhuang (梅花庄)
- Meikeng (梅坑)
- Meishan (煤山)
- Meitian (梅田)
- Meixi (梅溪)
- Meiyuan (梅园)
- Mengzhuang (孟庄)
- Mianhuadian (棉花店)
- Miaotou (庙头)
- Miaozhai (苗寨)
- Millstone Hollow
- Misty Ridge
- Mofang (磨坊)
- Moon Bay Village
- Mujiangying (木匠营)
- Mulberry Lane
N: 8 names
- Nanguan (南关)
- Nanhu (南湖)
- Nanmen (南门)
- Nanqiao (南桥)
- Niangniangmiao (娘娘庙)
- Nine-Turn Bridge
- Niushi (牛市)
- Nongchang (农场)
O: 2 names
- Old Kiln Village
- Old Salt Flats
P: 8 names
- Panjiagou (潘家沟)
- Peach Spring
- Pear Blossom Village
- Phoenix Terrace
- Pijiangying (皮匠营)
- Pine Bluff
- Ping'an (平安)
- Plum Orchard Town
Q: 15 names
- Qianjiadian (千家店)
- Qianjin (前进)
- Qianshan (前山)
- Qiaobian (桥边)
- Qiaotou (桥头)
- Qiaoxia (桥下)
- Qilipu (七里铺)
- Qinghe (清河)
- Qinglongqiao (青龙桥)
- Qingquan (清泉)
- Qingshan (青山)
- Qingshi (青石)
- Qingshuihe (清水河)
- Qingxi (清溪)
- Qinzhuang (秦庄)
R: 5 names
- Ranfang (染坊)
- Red Clay Market
- Renhe (仁和)
- Riverbend Ferry
- Ruixiang (瑞祥)
S: 88 names
- Salt Road Inn
- Sanchakou (三岔口)
- Sandaogou (三道沟)
- Sanhe (三河)
- Sanjiadian (三家店)
- Sanjiangkou (三江口)
- Sanlihe (三里河)
- Sanshilipu (三十里铺)
- Sanxi (三溪)
- Shaba (沙坝)
- Shabu (沙埠)
- Shachong (沙涌)
- Shagou (沙沟)
- Shahe (沙河)
- Shajing (沙井)
- Shanbei (山背)
- Shangdu (上渡)
- Shangjie (上街)
- Shangli (上里)
- Shangpu (上铺)
- Shangtan (上滩)
- Shangwei (上围)
- Shangxu (上墟)
- Shangzhai (上寨)
- Shankou (山口)
- Shannan (山南)
- Shanxia (山下)
- Shapu (沙铺)
- Shatian (沙田)
- Shawan (沙湾)
- Shaxi (沙溪)
- Shenao (深澳)
- Shengli (胜利)
- Shenjiamen (沈家门)
- Shibao (石堡)
- Shibu (石埠)
- Shicheng (石城)
- Shidun (石墩)
- Shigang (石岗)
- Shigou (石沟)
- Shijiangying (石匠营)
- Shikeng (石坑)
- Shilipu (十里铺)
- Shilongtou (石龙头)
S, continued
- Shimaping (石马坪)
- Shimen (石门)
- Shiniuba (石牛坝)
- Shipan (石盘)
- Shiping (石坪)
- Shipo (石坡)
- Shiqiao (石桥)
- Shitang (石塘)
- Shiting (石亭)
- Shiwan (石湾)
- Shiya (石崖)
- Shiyao (石窑)
- Shizhai (石寨)
- Shizishan (狮子山)
- Shuangfeng (双峰)
- Shuanghe (双河)
- Shuangjing (双井)
- Shuangmiao (双庙)
- Shuangmiaozi (双庙子)
- Shuangpu (双铺)
- Shuangqiao (双桥)
- Shuangquan (双泉)
- Shuangsi (双寺)
- Shuangta (双塔)
- Shuangtang (双塘)
- Shuangxi (双溪)
- Shuijing (水井)
- Shuikou (水口)
- Shuimen (水门)
- Shuiquan (水泉)
- Shuitian (水田)
- Sidaohe (四道河)
- Sihe (四合)
- Silk Weir
- Sishui (泗水)
- Sitou (寺头)
- Songjiadu (宋家渡)
- Songlin (松林)
- Songling (松岭)
- Songshan (松山)
- Songshu (松树)
- South Gate Market
- Stone Bridge Market
- Sunjiatun (孙家屯)
T: 30 names
- Taiping (太平)
- Taipingchuan (太平川)
- Tangbian (塘边)
- Tangjiazhuang (唐家庄)
- Tangtou (塘头)
- Tanyao (炭窑)
- Taohuadu (桃花渡)
- Taolin (桃林)
- Taoshan (桃山)
- Taoyuan (桃源)
- Tea Hill
- Temple Head
- Ten-Mile Post
- Three Forks Market
- Tianchi (天池)
- Tianjing (甜井)
- Tiejiangying (铁匠营)
- Tiemen (铁门)
- Tieqiao (铁桥)
- Tieshan (铁山)
- Tiger Crossing
- Tongshan (铜山)
- Tongxin (同心)
- Toudaogou (头道沟)
- Tuanjie (团结)
- Tuanshanzi (团山子)
- Tucheng (土城)
- Tudimiao (土地庙)
- Tudun (土墩)
- Two Wells
W: 22 names
- Wanfu (万福)
- Wangcuo (王厝)
- Wangjiazhuang (王家庄)
- Wangting (望亭)
- Wangtun (王屯)
- Wanquan (万泉)
- Wayao (瓦窑)
- Wenchangge (文昌阁)
- Wenjiazi (温家子)
- Wenquan (温泉)
- White Sand Ferry
- Willow Ford
- Wujiadian (五家店)
- Wujiagou (吴家沟)
- Wulajie (乌拉街)
- Wuli (五里)
- Wulidun (五里墩)
- Wulongkou (五龙口)
- Wulongqiao (五龙桥)
- Wuniupo (乌牛坡)
- Wuqiao (五桥)
- Wuxing (五星)
X: 33 names
- Xianfeng (先锋)
- Xiaohekou (小河口)
- Xiaohu (小湖)
- Xiaomaying (小马营)
- Xiaoqiaotou (小桥头)
- Xiaotang (小塘)
- Xiaotun (小屯)
- Xiaoxi (小溪)
- Xiaoyingzi (小营子)
- Xiawei (下围)
- Xiazhai (下寨)
- Xidu (西渡)
- Xiejiawan (谢家湾)
- Xigang (西岗)
- Xiguan (西关)
- Ximen (西门)
- Xinba (新坝)
- Xinbao (新堡)
- Xinbu (新埠)
- Xincheng (新城)
- Xindian (新店)
- Xingfu (幸福)
- Xinglin (杏林)
- Xinglong (兴隆)
- Xinglongcun (兴隆村)
- Xingshupu (杏树铺)
- Xinhua (新华)
- Xinji (新集)
- Xinjie (新街)
- Xintian (新田)
- Xinzhai (新寨)
- Xinzhuang (新庄)
- Xiying (西营)
Y: 32 names
- Yanchang (盐场)
- Yanchi (盐池)
- Yandian (盐店)
- Yangchang (羊场)
- Yanggou (杨沟)
- Yangjiaji (杨家集)
- Yangliuqing (杨柳青)
- Yangping (杨坪)
- Yanshan (雁山)
- Yantan (盐滩)
- Yanwan (燕湾)
- Yaozhuang (姚庄)
- Yellow Earth Hollow
- Yezhugou (野猪沟)
- Yingzuiyan (鹰嘴岩)
- Yinshan (银山)
- Yinxi (银溪)
- Yong'an (永安)
- Yongfeng (永丰)
- Yongle (永乐)
- Yongxing (永兴)
- Youfang (油坊)
- Youyi (友谊)
- Yuehu (月湖)
- Yuewan (月湾)
- Yuhuangmiao (玉皇庙)
- Yukou (峪口)
- Yulongwan (玉龙湾)
- Yunshan (云山)
- Yuquan (玉泉)
- Yushan (玉山)
- Yushu (榆树)