Eric's Beijing Diary

Kai County. Here's how it basically works in China: There is a county. Within the county is a main county town, which roughly equates to what we would call a county seat in the United States. But the county town doesn't really have a separate name, so it's a little confusing.

I said, "What town is this?"

"Kaixian."

I said, "No, 'xian' means county. So Kaixian means Kai County. But what town is this?"

"Kaixian."

"But is this Kai County or Kai City?"

"Kai County. Kaixian is a county level. It is not big enough to be a city level."

"So Kaixian is the name of the county we are in, right?"

"Yes."

"And there are many villages in this county, right?"

"Yes."

"So what is the name of this town?"

"Kaixian."

I gave up.