Dazhou history

The city of Dazhou is a destination with a rich, centuries-old history rooted in deep antiquity. Located in the east of Sichuan Province, it has played a significant role in the life of China for centuries, serving as the region's administrative, commercial, and cultural hub.

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city as an official administrative unit began during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD). In 90 AD, the first county was established in this territory. Throughout its long history, the city has changed its name multiple times. One of its most famous ancient names was Tongzhou (通州), which it received in the 6th century. This name can be translated as "place for passage," highlighting its strategic importance as a transport hub. The city received its modern name, Dazhou, during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD).

Key Factors of Development

Several key factors contributed to the development and prosperity of Dazhou:

• Geographical Location: The city lies at the intersection of important routes connecting the fertile Sichuan Basin with the country's central regions. Its location at the foot of the Daba Mountains and on the riverbank made it a natural strategic point and trading centre, often referred to as the "Eastern Gate of Sichuan".
• Trade: Historically, Dazhou was a vital link in trade routes for transporting salt, tea, and other goods, ensuring its economic well-being and a constant influx of merchants.
• Administrative Centre: For many centuries, the city (then Tongzhou) was the capital of a prefecture governing vast surrounding lands, which strengthened its political and economic influence.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Dazhou is one of the centres of the ancient Ba-Shu culture, characteristic of the Sichuan region. Archaeological finds made in this area testify to the existence of a developed civilization here long before the official founding of the first administrative units. The city's economy traditionally relied on agriculture, crafts, and trade, facilitated by its advantageous geographical position.

Timeline of Key Events

• 90 AD — A county was founded in this territory during the Eastern Han Dynasty, marking the first mention of Dazhou as an administrative centre.
• Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) — The city was named Tongzhou (通州), emphasizing its role as a major transport hub.
• Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD) — The city was assigned its modern name — Dazhou.
• 1950 — The Daxian Special District (达县专区) was formed, becoming the predecessor of the modern prefecture-level city.
• 1970 — Daxian Special District was renamed Daxian Prefecture (达县地区).
• 1993 — Daxian Prefecture was renamed Dachuan Prefecture (达川地区).
• 1999 — Dachuan Prefecture was transformed into the prefecture-level city of Dazhou, defining its modern administrative status.
• 2013 — The former Daxian County was reorganized into the Dachuan District within the prefecture-level city.
• 2022 — The new Dazhou Jinya International Airport opened, significantly improving the city's transport accessibility.

Major Stages of Development and Transformation

The story of the rise of modern Dazhou is a journey from an ancient trading outpost to a powerful industrial and logistical hub. Here are the key milestones that have defined the city's economic and cultural identity on the scale of China:

• Formation of Cultural Code (Han Era): The construction of unique stone "Que" towers laid the foundation for the region's cultural identity. Today, Dazhou is known as the "Hometown of Chinese Han Dynasty Towers," which is of immense importance for preserving historical heritage and attracting tourists.
• Becoming a Transport Hub: The laying of strategically important railway lines (Xiangyang—Chongqing, Dazhou—Chengdu) turned the city into the second-largest railway gateway in Sichuan Province. This event became a catalyst for trade exchange and strengthened the region's ties with the centre and south of the country.
• Granting of Prefecture-Level City Status (1999): Administrative reform gave local authorities more powers in urban planning matters. This marked the beginning of large-scale modernization of the urban environment, the expansion of residential quarters, and the creation of modern social infrastructure.
• Discovery of the Puguang Gas Field: The discovery of one of the country's largest natural gas fields with high sulfur content was a turning point in the economy. Dazhou gained the status of the "Gas Capital," leading to an influx of investment and the creation of a powerful chemical industry cluster.
• Industrialization of Agriculture ("Ramie Capital"): The development of processing technologies for Chinese nettle (ramie) propelled the city to a leading position in the textile industry. This allowed traditional agricultural production to be transformed into a high-revenue export sector.
• Launch of Dazhou Jinya Airport (2022): The opening of a new air harbour to replace the old Heshi Airport marked a new stage in the development of transport accessibility. This event significantly increased the city's investment appeal and simplified logistics for business.

The architecture and urban planning of Dazhou vividly illustrate its rich history and rapid economic development. The city's appearance harmoniously combines elements of traditional Chinese construction, functional buildings of the mid-20th century, and ambitious modern architectural projects, making it an interesting example of the evolution of urban space in China.

The historic core of the city and its old quarters bear the features of classic Sichuan architecture, particularly from the Ming and Qing dynasties. This style is characterized by wooden structures, elegantly curved tiled roofs, and cosy courtyards. Although many ancient structures have not survived in their original form, their spirit can be felt in restored temple complexes, such as the Confucian Temple, and in the layout of old streets. Special attention should be paid to the unique culture of Han Dynasty gate towers, to which a separate museum in Dazhou is dedicated.

From the mid-20th century, during the period of industrialization, utilitarian structures characteristic of that era began to appear in the city. However, a true construction boom began with economic reforms and the discovery of major gas fields. This led to the dominance of modernism and postmodernism styles in the cityscape. Modern Dazhou architecture features high-rise residential complexes, office centres with futuristic glass facades, and large-scale public spaces. New business districts and residential quarters are being actively built, reflecting the city's status as a major industrial centre.

Modern urban planning in Dazhou is aimed at creating a comfortable urban environment and efficient infrastructure. The city layout represents a mix of historically established districts and new, carefully designed zones. Infrastructure objects play an important role in shaping the city's appearance: modern bridges are being built across rivers, and expressways and transport interchanges are being laid, linking the expanded parts of the city into a unified whole and emphasizing its role as a key regional transport hub.

Distinguished Figures Associated with the City

The city of Dazhou and its surroundings have gifted China with many outstanding individuals who have left a mark on the country's history, culture, and politics. Here are some of them:

• Li Boyao (564–647) — A distinguished historian and official of the Sui and Tang eras. His main work is the "Book of Northern Qi," one of the official historical texts included in the "Twenty-Four Histories" canon. His family hailed from the region where Dazhou is located today.
• Wei Siqi (dates unknown) — A scholar and statesman during the Tang Dynasty. He was renowned for his knowledge and held high posts at the imperial court. Wei Siqi was from Tongzhou (the old name for Dazhou) and is considered one of the most famous intellectuals of his time from this region.
• Feng Huan (1st Century AD) — A local official during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Although details of his life are scarce, his name is immortalized thanks to one of Dazhou's most famous monuments — the Feng Huan Gate (Feng Huan Que). These stone gates leading to his tomb are an outstanding example of Han Dynasty funerary architecture.
• Zhang Aiping (1910–2003) — A major military and political figure of the 20th century. A native of Daxian County (now part of Dazhou), he was a general in the People's Liberation Army of China and served as the Minister of National Defense of the PRC. Zhang Aiping played a significant role in the modernization of the Chinese army and the development of the country's nuclear programme.
• Zhang Side (1915–1944) — A soldier of the Eighth Route Army who became a national symbol of selfless service to the people. Originally from Yilong County (which was part of the Dazhou region at the time), he died when a charcoal kiln collapsed. Mao Zedong's speech "Serve the People," delivered at his memorial service, made Zhang Side a role model for many generations.