| 自主 | zì zhǔ | independent / to act for oneself / autonomous |   |
| 自行 | zì xíng | voluntary / autonomous / by oneself / self- | |
| 自导 | zì dǎo | self-guided / autonomous | |
| 广西 | Guǎng xī | Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 廣西壯族自治區|广西壮族自治区 / in South Central China, on the border with Vietnam, abbr. 桂, capital Nanning 南寧|南宁 / until 1959, Guangxi province | |
| 新疆 | Xīn jiāng | Xinjiang / Uighur Autonomous Region 新疆維吾爾自治區|新疆维吾尔自治区[Xin1 jiang1 Wei2 wu2 er3 Zi4 zhi4 qu1] | |
| 海南 | Hǎi nán | Hainan Province, in the South China Sea, short name 瓊|琼[Qiong2], capital Haikou 海口[Hai3 kou3] / Hainan Island / Hainan District of Wuhai City 烏海市|乌海市[Wu1 hai3 Shi4], Inner Mongolia / Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 海南藏族自治州[Hai3 nan2 Zang4 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Qinghai | |
| 自治区 | zì zhì qū | autonomous region, namely: Inner Mongolia 內蒙古自治區|内蒙古自治区[Nei4 meng3 gu3 Zi4 zhi4 qu1], Guangxi 廣西壯族自治區|广西壮族自治区[Guang3 xi1 Zhuang4 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 qu1], Tibet 西藏自治區|西藏自治区[Xi1 zang4 Zi4 zhi4 qu1], Ningxia 寧夏回族自治區|宁夏回族自治区[Ning2 xia4 Hui2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 qu1], Xinjiang 新疆維吾爾自治區|新疆维吾尔自治区[Xin1 jiang1 Wei2 wu2 er3 Zi4 zhi4 qu1] | |
| 内蒙古 | Nèi Měng gǔ | Inner Mongolia / abbr. for 內蒙古自治區|内蒙古自治区[Nei4 meng3 gu3 Zi4 zhi4 qu1], Inner Mongolia autonomous region | |
| 西藏 | Xī zàng | Tibet / Xizang or Tibet Autonomous Region 西藏自治區|西藏自治区[Xi1 zang4 Zi4 zhi4 qu1] | |
| 南宁 | Nán níng | Nanning, prefecture-level city and capital of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in south China 廣西壯族自治區|广西壮族自治区 | |
| 宁夏 | Níng xià | Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, abbr. 寧|宁[Ning2], capital Yinchuan 銀川|银川[Yin2 chuan1] | |
| 乌鲁木齐 | Wū lǔ mù qí | Ürümqi or Urumqi, prefecture-level city and capital of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region 新疆維吾爾自治區|新疆维吾尔自治区[Xin1 jiang1 Wei2 wu2 er3 Zi4 zhi4 qu1] in west China | |
| 拉萨 | Lā sà | Lhasa, capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region 西藏自治區|西藏自治区[Xi1 zang4 Zi4 zhi4 qu1] | |
| 银川 | Yín chuān | Yinchuan city, capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region 寧夏回族自治區|宁夏回族自治区[Ning2 xia4 Hui2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 qu1] | |
| 呼和浩特 | Hū hé hào tè | Hohhot prefecture-level city, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region 內蒙古自治區|内蒙古自治区[Nei4 meng3 gu3 Zi4 zhi4 qu1] | |
| 自治州 | zì zhì zhōu | autonomous prefecture | |
| 自治县 | zì zhì xiàn | autonomous county | |
| 香格里拉 | Xiāng gé lǐ lā | Shangri-La (mythical location) / Shangri-La town and county in Dêqên or Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 迪慶藏族自治州|迪庆藏族自治州[Di2 qing4 Zang4 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], northwest Yunnan / formerly Gyeltang or Gyalthang, Chinese 中甸[Zhong1 dian4] in Tibetan province of Kham | |
| 内蒙 | Nèi Měng | Inner Mongolia or Inner Mongolia autonomous region 內蒙古自治區|内蒙古自治区[Nei4 meng3 gu3 Zi4 zhi4 qu1] | |
| 内蒙古自治区 | Nèi Měng gǔ Zì zhì qū | Inner Mongolia autonomous region, abbr. 內蒙古|内蒙古[Nei4 meng3 gu3], capital Hohhot 呼和浩特市[Hu1 he2 hao4 te4 Shi4] | |
| 首府 | shǒu fǔ | capital city of an autonomous region | |
| 延边 | Yán biān | Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture 延邊朝鮮族自治州|延边朝鲜族自治州[Yan2 bian1 Chao2 xian3 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1] in Jilin province 吉林省[Ji2 lin2 Sheng3] in northeast China, capital Yanji city 延吉市[Yan2 ji2 Shi4] | |
| 龙井 | Lóng jǐng | Longjing, county-level city in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture 延邊朝鮮族自治州|延边朝鲜族自治州[Yan2 bian1 Chao2 xian3 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Jilin / Longjing or Lungching Township in Taichung County 臺中縣|台中县[Tai2 zhong1 Xian4], Taiwan / also Longjing tea 龍井茶|龙井茶[long2 jing3 cha2] | |
| 广西壮族自治区 | Guǎng xī Zhuàng zú Zì zhì qū | Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in South Central China, on the border with Vietnam, abbr. 桂[Gui4], capital Nanning 南寧|南宁[Nan2 ning2] / until 1959, Guangxi province | |
| 独立自主 | dú lì zì zhǔ | independent and autonomous (idiom) / self-determination / to act independently / to maintain control over one's own affairs | |
| 新疆维吾尔自治区 | Xīn jiāng Wéi wú ěr Zì zhì qū | Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, abbr. 新[Xin1], capital Urumqi or Ürümqi 烏魯木齊|乌鲁木齐[Wu1 lu3 mu4 qi2] | |
| 弥勒 | Mí lè | Mile county in Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture, Yunnan / Maitreya, the future Bodhisattva, to come after Shakyamuni Buddha | |
| 西藏自治区 | Xī zàng Zì zhì qū | Tibet Autonomous Region, Tibetan: Bod rang skyong ljongs, abbr. 藏[Zang4], capital Lhasa 拉薩|拉萨[La1 sa4] | |
| 新疆生产建设兵团 | xīn jiāng shēng chǎn jiàn shè bīng tuán | Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, also known as XPCC or Bingtuan ("the Corps"), a state-owned economic and paramilitary organization in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region | |
| 马兰 | Mǎ lán | Malan military base and atomic test site in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture 巴音郭楞蒙古自治州[Ba1 yin1 guo1 leng2 Meng3 gu3 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Xinjiang | |
| 宁夏回族自治区 | Níng xià Huí zú Zì zhì qū | Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, abbr. 寧|宁[Ning2], capital Yinchuan 銀川|银川[Yin2 chuan1] | |
| 自负盈亏 | zì fù yíng kuī | responsible for its profit and losses (of organization) / financially autonomous / personal financial responsibility | |
| 珲春 | Hún chūn | Hunchun, county-level city in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture 延邊朝鮮族自治州|延边朝鲜族自治州[Yan2 bian1 Chao2 xian3 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Jilin | |
| 虎跳峡 | Hǔ tiào Xiá | Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Jinsha River 金沙江[Jin1 sha1 jiang1] in Lijiang Naxi autonomous county 麗江納西族自治縣|丽江纳西族自治县[Li4 jiang1 Na4 xi1 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 xian4], Yunnan | |
| 桑坦德 | Sāng tǎn dé | Santander, capital of Spanish autonomous region Cantabria 坎塔布里亞|坎塔布里亚[Kan3 ta3 bu4 li3 ya4] | |
| 新都桥 | Xīn dū qiáo | Xinduqiao town in Dartsendo county 康定縣|康定县[Kang1 ding4 xian4], Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Sichuan | |
| 济州岛 | Jì zhōu Dǎo | Jeju Island special autonomous province, South Korea, a World Heritage site | |
| 红河州 | Hóng hé zhōu | Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture in Yunnan 雲南|云南[Yun2 nan2] | |
| 阿坝州 | A1 bà zhōu | Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture (Tibetan: rnga ba bod rigs cha'ng rigs rang skyong khul, formerly in Kham province of Tibet), northwest Sichuan, capital Barkam 馬爾康鎮|马尔康镇[Ma3 er3 kang1 zhen4] | |
| 楚雄州 | Chǔ xióng zhōu | abbr. for Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 楚雄彞族自治州|楚雄彝族自治州[Chu3 xiong2 Yi2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1] | |
| 甘孜州 | Gān zī zhōu | Garze or Kandze, Tibetan autonomous prefecture (Tibetan: dkar mdzes bod rigs rang skyong khul), formerly in Kham province of Tibet, present Sichuan | |
| 文山州 | Wén shān zhōu | abbr. for 文山壯族苗族自治州|文山壮族苗族自治州[Wen2 shan1 Zhuang4 zu2 Miao2 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Wenshan Zhuang and Miao autonomous prefecture in Yunnan 雲南|云南 | |
| 延边州 | Yán biān zhōu | Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture 延邊朝鮮族自治州|延边朝鲜族自治州[Yan2 bian1 Chao2 xian3 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1] in Jilin province 吉林省[Ji2 lin2 Sheng3] in northeast China, capital Yanji city 延吉市[Yan2 ji2 Shi4] | |
| 黔东南州 | Qián dōng nán zhōu | Qiandongnan, abbr. for Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture 黔東南苗族侗族自治州|黔东南苗族侗族自治州, Guizhou, capital Kaili city 凱里市|凯里市 | |
| 泸定桥 | Lú dìng qiáo | Luding Bridge over Dadu river 大渡河[Da4 du4 he2] in Sichuan, built by Kangxi in 1706, linking Luding county Sichuan Luding county 瀘定縣|泸定县[Lu2 ding4 xian4] with Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture 甘孜藏族自治州|甘孜藏族自治州[Gan1 zi1 Zang4 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1] | |
| 大理州 | Dà lǐ zhōu | abbr. for 大理白族自治州, Dali Bai autonomous prefecture in Yunnan | |
| 五家渠 | Wǔ jiā qú | Wujyachü / shehiri (Wujiaqu city) or Wǔjiāqú / subprefecture level city in Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture in north Xinjiang | |
| 德宏州 | Dé hóng zhōu | abbr. for 德宏傣族景頗族自治州|德宏傣族景颇族自治州, Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture in west Yunnan surrounded on three sides by Myanmar (Burma) | |
| 昌吉州 | Chāng jí zhōu | Sanji or Changji Hui autonomous prefecture 昌吉回族自治州[Chang1 ji2 Hui2 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Xinjiang | |
| 甘南州 | Gān nán zhōu | Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture / abbr. for 甘南藏族自治州[Gan1 nan2 Zang4 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1] | |
| 黔南州 | Qián nán zhōu | Qiannan, abbr. for Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture 黔南布依族苗族自治州[Qian2 nan2 Bu4 yi1 zu2 Miao2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Guizhou, capital Duyun City 都勻市|都匀市[Du1 yun2 Shi4] | |
| 海西州 | Hǎi xī zhōu | Haixi Mongol and Tibetan autonomous prefecture (Tibetan: Mtsho-nub Sog-rigs dang Bod-rigs rang-skyong-khul) in Qinghai | |
| 克孜勒苏 | Kè zī lè sū | Qizilsu or Kizilsu Kyrgyz autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang | |
| 怒江州 | Nù jiāng zhōu | abbr. for 怒江傈僳族自治州, Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture in northwest Yunnan, capital Liuku or Lutku 六庫鎮|六库镇[Liu4 ku4 zhen4] | |
| 龙羊峡 | Lóng yáng xiá | Longyangxia canyon on the upper reaches of the Yellow River, Gonghe county 共和縣|共和县[Gong4 he2 xian4] in Hainan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Qinghai | |
| 临夏州 | Lín xià zhōu | Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture (abbr. for 臨夏回族自治州|临夏回族自治州[Lin2 xia4 Hui2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1]) | |
| 玉树州 | Yù shù zhōu | Yushu Tibetan autonomous prefecture (Tibetan: yus hru'u bod rigs rang skyong khul) in Qinghai | |
| 瑞丽 | Ruì lì | Ruili city in Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture 德宏傣族景頗族自治州|德宏傣族景颇族自治州[De2 hong2 Dai3 zu2 Jing3 po1 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Yunnan | |
| 个旧 | Gè jiù | Gejiu, county-level city in Yunnan, capital of Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous county 紅河哈尼族彞族自治州|红河哈尼族彝族自治州[Hong2 he2 Ha1 ni2 zu2 Yi2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1] | |
| 济州 | Jì zhōu | Jeju Island special autonomous province (Cheju Island), South Korea, a World Heritage site | |
| 和龙 | Hé lóng | Helong, county-level city in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture 延邊朝鮮族自治州|延边朝鲜族自治州[Yan2 bian1 Chao2 xian3 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Jilin | |
| 普格 | Pǔ gé | Puge county in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture 涼山彞族自治州|凉山彝族自治州[Liang2 shan1 Yi2 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], south Sichuan | |
| 德格 | Dé gé | Dêgê / county (Tibetan: sde dge rdzong) in Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture 甘孜藏族自治州[Gan1 zi1 Zang4 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Sichuan (formerly in Kham province of Tibet) | |
| 凯里 | Kǎi lǐ | Kaili city in Guizhou, capital of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture 黔東南苗族侗族自治州|黔东南苗族侗族自治州 | |
| 白沙 | Bái shā | Baisha (common place name) / Baisha Lizu autonomous county, Hainan / Baisha or Paisha township in Penghu county 澎湖縣|澎湖县[Peng2 hu2 xian4] (Pescadores Islands), Taiwan | |
| 大通 | Dà tōng | Datong district of Huainan city 淮南市[Huai2 nan2 shi4], Anhui / Datong Hui and Tu autonomous county in Xining 西寧|西宁[Xi1 ning2], Qinghai | |
| 小金 | Xiǎo jīn | Xiaojin County (Tibetan: btsan lha rdzong) in Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture 阿壩藏族羌族自治州|阿坝藏族羌族自治州[A1 ba4 Zang4 zu2 Qiang1 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], northwest Sichuan | |
| 玉树 | Yù shù | Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Tibetan: yus hru'u bod rigs rang skyong khul) in Qinghai | |
| 金阳 | Jīn yáng | Jinyang county in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture 涼山彞族自治州|凉山彝族自治州[Liang2 shan1 Yi2 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], south Sichuan | |
| 龙山 | Lóng shān | Longshan District of Liaoyuan City 遼源市|辽源市[Liao2 yuan2 Shi4], Jilin / Longshan County in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture 湘西土家族苗族自治州[Xiang1 xi1 Tu3 jia1 zu2 Miao2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1] | |
| 康定 | Kāng dìng | Dartsendo, Dardo or Kangding county (Tibetan: dar mdo rdzong) in Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture 甘孜藏族自治州[Gan1 zi1 Zang4 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Sichuan (formerly in Kham province of Tibet) | |
| 昌吉 | Chāng jí | Changji Hui autonomous prefecture 昌吉回族自治州[Chang1 ji2 Hui2 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Xinjiang | |
| 潞西 | Lù xī | Luxi city in Yunnan, capital of Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture 德宏傣族景頗族自治州|德宏傣族景颇族自治州 / in west Yunnan | |
| 雷山 | Léi shān | Leishan county in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture 黔東南州|黔东南州[Qian2 dong1 nan2 zhou1], Guizhou | |
| 雷波 | Léi bō | Leibo county in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture 涼山彞族自治州|凉山彝族自治州[Liang2 shan1 Yi2 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], south Sichuan | |
| 弥渡 | Mí dù | Midu county in Dali Bai autonomous prefecture 大理白族自治州[Da4 li3 Bai2 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Yunnan | |
| 得荣 | Dé róng | Dêrong county (Tibetan: sde rong rdzong) in Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture 甘孜藏族自治州|甘孜藏族自治州[Gan1 zi1 Zang4 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Sichuan (formerly in Kham province of Tibet) | |
| 从江 | Cóng jiāng | Congjiang county in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture 黔東南州|黔东南州[Qian2 dong1 nan2 zhou1], Guizhou | |
| 恩施 | En1 shī | Enshi prefecture-level city in southwest Hubei, capital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture 恩施土家族苗族自治州[En1 shi1 Tu3 jia1 zu2 Miao2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1] | |
| 永顺 | Yǒng shùn | Yongshun County in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture 湘西土家族苗族自治州[Xiang1 xi1 Tu3 jia1 zu2 Miao2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1] | |
| 甘德 | Gān dé | Gadê / or Gande county (Tibetan: dga' bde rdzong) in Golog Tibetan autonomous prefecture 果洛州[Guo3 luo4 zhou1], Qinghai | |
| 红河 | Hóng hé | Honghe county in Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture, Yunnan / Red River in China / Northern Vietnam | |
| 临夏 | Lín xià | Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture 臨夏回族自治州|临夏回族自治州[Lin2 xia4 Hui2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Gansu / also Linxia City and Linxia County | |
| 长白 | Cháng bái | Changbai Korean autonomous county in Baishan 白山, Jilin | |
| 开远 | Kāi yuǎn | Kaiyuan, county-level city in Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture, Yunnan | |
| 阿斯图里亚斯 | A1 sī tú lǐ yà sī | Asturias, northwest Spanish autonomous principality on the bay of Biscay / ancient Spanish kingdom from which the reconquista was based | |
| 麻阳 | Má yáng | Mayang Miao autonomous county in Huaihua 懷化|怀化[Huai2 hua4], Hunan | |
| 来凤 | Lái fèng | Laifeng County in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture 恩施土家族苗族自治州[En1 shi1 Tu3 jia1 zu2 Miao2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Hubei | |
| 利川 | Lì chuān | Lichuan, county-level city in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture 恩施土家族苗族自治州[En1 shi1 Tu3 jia1 zu2 Miao2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Hubei | |
| 南华 | nán huá | South China / Nanhua County in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 楚雄彞族自治州|楚雄彝族自治州[Chu3 xiong2 Yi2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Yunnan | |
| 咸丰 | Xián fēng | Xianfeng (1831-1861), reign name of Qing emperor, reigned from 1850-1861 / Xianfeng County in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture 恩施土家族苗族自治州[En1 shi1 Tu3 jia1 zu2 Miao2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Hubei | |
| 图们 | Tú mén | Tumen, county-level city in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture 延邊朝鮮族自治州|延边朝鲜族自治州[Yan2 bian1 Chao2 xian3 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Jilin | |
| 巴东 | Bā dōng | Badong County in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture 恩施土家族苗族自治州[En1 shi1 Tu3 jia1 zu2 Miao2 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Hubei | |
| 普安 | Pǔ ān | Puan county in Qianxinan Buyei and Miao autonomous prefecture 黔西南州[Qian2 xi1 nan2 zhou1], Guizhou | |
| 景洪 | Jǐng hóng | Jinghong, county-level city in Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture 西雙版納傣族自治州|西双版纳傣族自治州[Xi1 shuang1 ban3 na4 Dai3 zu2 zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Yunnan | |
| 杜尔伯特 | Dù ěr bó tè | Dorbod Mongol autonomous county in Daqing 大慶|大庆[Da4 qing4], Heilongjiang | |
| 汶川 | Wèn chuān | Wenchuan County (Tibetan: wun khron rdzong) in Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture 阿壩藏族羌族自治州|阿坝藏族羌族自治州[A1 ba4 Zang4 zu2 Qiang1 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], northwest Sichuan | |
| 玛多 | Mǎ duō | Madoi or Maduo county (Tibetan: rma stod rdzong) in Golog Tibetan autonomous prefecture 果洛州[Guo3 luo4 zhou1], Qinghai | |
| 琼中 | Qióng zhōng | Qiongzhong Li and Miao autonomous county, Hainan | |
| 门源 | Mén yuán | Menyuan Hui Autonomous County in Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 海北藏族自治州[Hai3 bei3 Zang4 zu2 Zi4 zhi4 zhou1], Qinghai | |
