Hejian

The history of Hejian is rooted in deep antiquity. The city's name itself, which literally translates as "between the rivers," points to its strategically important geographical location. The first mentions of this territory date back to the Han Dynasty, when the Hejian Kingdom was founded here in 178 BC. Subsequently, its status changed many times: in 165 BC, the fief was transformed into a commandery, after which it alternated for centuries between being a kingdom and an administrative district within ancient China.

A key factor in the development of Hejian was its location, which favored the growth of agriculture and trade. However, the city gained its greatest fame as an important political and administrative center. For many centuries, it maintained a high status, and in 1108, during the Northern Song Dynasty, it became the center of the Hejian Prefecture (河间府). At that time, Hejian was considered one of the "four famous prefectures south of Beijing," highlighting its significance in the empire's administrative hierarchy.

The city's early cultural identity was closely linked to its administrative role. Famous historical figures served here, and the local government residence was one of the largest and best-preserved in Northern China. Furthermore, Hejian is known as one of the key centers for preserving the heritage of the "Book of Songs" ("Shi Jing")—the oldest monument of Chinese literature—which testifies to its high cultural significance.

Key Milestones in Hejian's History

The history of Hejian is a chronicle of rises and falls, reflecting the succession of great dynasties and China's administrative reforms. The city has changed its status many times, transforming from a princely fief into an important administrative center and back again.

• 178 BC — The Hejian Kingdom is founded during the Western Han Dynasty.
• 165 BC — The kingdom was temporarily transformed into the Hejian Commandery.
• 155 BC — Kingdom status is restored, and Liu De, son of Emperor Jing, becomes its ruler, marking the beginning of the region's cultural flourishing.
• Northern Wei Period (386–534 AD) — The city territory was subordinated to a larger administrative unit—Yingzhou Province.
• 1108 — During the Northern Song Dynasty, Yingzhou Province was elevated in status and transformed into the Hejian Prefecture (Hejian Fu), strengthening its administrative significance.
• Yuan Dynasty Period (1271–1368) — Mongol rulers renamed the prefecture as the Hejian Region (Hejian Lu).
• Ming Dynasty Period (1368–1644) — Hejian's status as a prefecture was restored, with 10 counties under its administration, and the city received the unofficial title of the "first prefecture south of Beijing."
• 1913 — Following the Xinhai Revolution and the fall of the monarchy, an administrative reform was carried out in China, during which the Hejian Prefecture was disbanded, leaving only Hejian County.
• 1949 — After the founding of the PRC, Hejian County became part of the newly formed Cangxian Special District.
• 1990 — Hejian County was upgraded to a county-level city, reflecting its growing economic role and urbanization.

Key Milestones in Hejian's Development

Throughout its centuries-old history, Hejian has evolved from an ancient kingdom into a modern industrial center. The city has changed its status many times but has always remained an important point on the map of northern China. Below are the main milestones of its development.

• Administrative Center of Empires (Song, Ming, Qing Dynasties): In 1108, during the Northern Song Dynasty, Hejian was granted the status of a prefecture (Fu) and became known as one of the "four famous prefectures south of Beijing." This status was confirmed in the subsequent Ming and Qing eras. It housed one of the largest and best-preserved government residences in northern China, underscoring its high political and administrative importance.
• Cultural Stronghold of the "Book of Songs": Hejian played a key role in the preservation and study of the "Shi Jing" ("Book of Songs")—the oldest collection of Chinese poetry. The city is rightfully considered one of the centers for the heritage of this literary monument. In the local government residence, there is even a "Book of Songs Studio," which houses thousands of editions of this work from different eras.
• 20th Century Reforms and Changes: After the Xinhai Revolution of 1911 and subsequent administrative reform, the Hejian Prefecture was disbanded, leaving only Hejian County. In the mid-20th century, its administrative affiliation changed several times until it finally became part of the Cangzhou prefecture-level city. In 1990, Hejian County was upgraded to a county-level city, marking a new stage in its urban development.
• Becoming an Industrial Center (1970s): In the 1970s, the production of information equipment began to develop in Hejian. This sector gradually grew into one of the pillars of the city's economy, laying the foundation for further industrialization.
• The "Glass Capital" of China: Today, Hejian is known as the world's largest production base for heat-resistant glass products. Hundreds of enterprises specializing in handmade glass operate in the city, and their products are exported to dozens of countries. The annual turnover of this industry is measured in billions of yuan.
• Center for Remanufacturing and Auto Components: Modern Hejian is actively developing the remanufacturing industry, especially in the field of auto parts and industrial equipment. The city has become home to more than 170 companies in this sector, implementing innovative and intelligent production technologies. In 2023, the revenue of this sector exceeded 14 billion yuan.

A Fusion of Eras in the Cityscape

The architecture of Hejian serves as a visual chronicle of its rich history, where traditional Chinese structures stand alongside the functional buildings of the modern era. Having served as an important administrative center for many centuries, the city has preserved features of classical urban planning, which today are complemented by a dynamic industrial landscape.

Traditional Architecture: The Heritage of Dynasties

The historical appearance of Hejian was shaped by the architectural styles of the great Chinese dynasties, primarily the Ming and Qing. A key monument of this period is the restored complex of the Hejian Government Office (Hejian Fushu). This structure is a classic example of administrative architecture of its time: a symmetrical layout, spacious inner courtyards, massive gates, and buildings with characteristic curved roofs covered in grey tiles. Traditional materials predominate in the finish—blue brick, red wooden columns, and carved elements—creating an atmosphere of solemnity and grandeur. Such complexes were the core of ancient Chinese cities, around which the rest of urban life was built.

Modern Development: From Industry to Urbanization

Since the late 20th century, the architectural landscape of Hejian has begun to change rapidly under the influence of industrialization. The city's transformation into the "glass capital" and a center for the production of auto components led to the emergence of numerous industrial zones, factory buildings, and modern office blocks. This development is predominantly functional in nature, where the main emphasis is on practicality rather than decorative excess. Alongside industrial sites, modern residential complexes and public spaces are being actively built in the city, reflecting general trends in Chinese urbanism—the strive for high-density development and the creation of a comfortable urban environment.

Notable Figures Associated with Hejian

Throughout its long history, the city of Hejian has been the birthplace and workplace of many significant figures in the history and culture of China. These individuals have left a notable mark on politics, science, and the arts.

• Liu De (劉德) — Prince and scholar of the Han Dynasty (2nd century BC). As the ruler of the Hejian Kingdom, he became famous as a great patron of the sciences and arts. Liu De amassed a vast collection of ancient texts that predated the "burning of books" era and played a key role in preserving classical works, including the "Book of Songs" ("Shi Jing") and the "Zuo Zhuan" commentaries. His activities laid the foundation for Hejian's cultural fame.
• Mao Heng (毛亨) — Philologist and expert on Confucian texts (2nd century BC). A native of Hejian, Mao Heng is considered the founder of one of the most important schools of commentary on the "Book of Songs." His version of this canonical text, known as the "Mao Shi," became orthodox and has survived to this day, making him one of the central figures in the history of Chinese literature.
• Ji Yun (紀昀) — Scholar, writer, and statesman of the Qing Dynasty (1724–1805). Although he was not born in Hejian itself, his family hailed from the area, and he is often associated with the city. Ji Yun was the chief editor of the "Siku Quanshu" ("Complete Library in Four Sections"), the largest collection of books in Chinese history. He is also known as the author of the collection "Notes from the Thatched Abode of Close Observations."
• Feng Guozhang (馮國璋) — Military and political figure, President of the Republic of China (1859–1919). Born in Hejian, Feng Guozhang was one of the leading generals of the Beiyang Army and the founder of the Zhili clique. During the difficult period after the fall of the monarchy, he served as Vice President, and from 1917–1918, as President of the Republic of China, exerting a significant influence on the country's political life.
• Sun Si (孙思) — Physician and scholar of the Tang Dynasty (7th century). Although his birthplace is a subject of debate, tradition links him to the region that includes Hejian. He is known as the "King of Medicine" for his outstanding contribution to the development of traditional Chinese medicine. His works, such as the "Qianjin Yaofang" ("Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold"), are classics and are studied to this day.