Huangshan history

The history of Huangshan City is closely interwoven with the history of the entire region, which has been known for centuries as Huizhou. Although the modern prefecture-level city of Huangshan was established only in 1987, its cultural and historical heritage dates back centuries. It was this region that gave China unique architecture, influential merchants, and rich artistic traditions.

Foundation and Early Mentions

The first settlements in this territory existed thousands of years ago. During the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), a county was established here, which later, during the Southern Dynasties era, was named Xin'an. A key moment in the history of the region was its renaming to Huizhou in 1121, during the Song Dynasty. This period marked the beginning of the flourishing of the unique Huizhou culture.

Key Factors of Development

• Geography: Located in the mountainous terrain of southern Anhui province, the region was initially difficult to access. However, the mountains became a source of valuable goods such as tea and timber, while the Xin'an River served as a vital trade artery.
• Trade: Starting from the Ming Dynasty, the region became the home of the famous Huizhou merchants (徽商), who for several centuries became one of the most influential trading guilds in China. They engaged in the trade of salt, tea, and timber, and controlled entire industries throughout the country.
• Political Influence: Although Huizhou was not a major political centre, the immense economic power of its merchant clans ensured them significant influence and high social status.

Cultural and Economic Features

The wealth accumulated by merchants was actively invested in the development of culture and education. This led to the formation of the so-called "Huizhou culture," which is an important part of Anhui province's heritage. The region became famous for its unique architecture featuring homes and ancestral temples richly decorated with wood, stone, and brick carvings. Additionally, Huizhou was known for the production of high-quality ink and inkstones, which were prized by calligraphers and artists throughout China. Many renowned thinkers, healers, and artists lived and created here.

The history of the city of Huangshan and its surrounding region is closely intertwined with the history of all of China and spans over two millennia. The city, known today as the tourist gateway to the famous mountains, has undergone a long journey of administrative and cultural transformations.

• 208 AD — During the Han Empire, the Xindu Commandery was established in this territory, marking the first step in the region's administrative history.
• 280 AD — After the unification of lands into the Jin Empire, the commandery was renamed Xin'an.
• 589 AD — During the Sui Dynasty era, the administrative unit changed its name again to become Shezhou Prefecture (歙州).
• 747 AD — The poet Li Bai bestowed upon the nearby mountains, previously known as Yishan (Black Mountains), their current name — Huangshan (Yellow Mountains), in honour of the mythical Yellow Emperor.
• 960–1279 — During the Song Dynasty, the famous Tunxi Old Street was established, which today serves as the historical centre of the city.
• 1121 — Shezhou Prefecture was renamed Huizhou (徽州); this name defined the cultural identity of the region for many centuries.
• 1364 — During the early Ming Dynasty, the region received the status of Huizhou Prefecture, reporting directly to the imperial court in Nanjing.
• November 27, 1987 — By decision of the State Council of the PRC, the modern prefecture-level city of Huangshan was formed by merging the Huizhou region and the city of Tunxi.
• 1990 — The Huangshan mountain range was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which gave a powerful impetus to the city's development as an international tourism hub.

The development of the city of Huangshan and the entire historical region of Huizhou is a story of how a unique geographical location and the enterprising spirit of local residents turned a mountainous land into one of the most important cultural and economic centres of China.

Key Stages of Huangshan's Development

• Establishment of the Huizhou Cultural Centre. Beginning with the Song Dynasty (960–1279), the region, then known as Huizhou, began to form as a distinct cultural and economic enclave. It was during this time that the famous Tunxi Old Street was laid out, becoming the heart of local trade.
• Heyday of Huizhou Merchants (15th–19th Centuries). Due to a shortage of arable land, many locals turned to trade, becoming one of the most influential merchant guilds in Chinese history. Huizhou merchants controlled the trade of salt, tea, and timber throughout the country. They invested their fortunes in building luxurious residences, temples, and developing the arts in their homeland, forming a unique architectural style and cultural heritage.
• Formation of an Art School. The region's wealth and the picturesque landscapes of the Huangshan mountains attracted many scholars, poets, and artists. This led to the creation of a distinctive art school known for its landscape painting and calligraphy.
• The Era of Tea. Huangshan and its surroundings became one of the key centres for the production of famous Chinese tea varieties, such as "Maofeng" and "Taiping Houkui". Tea trade has been one of the pillars of the local economy for centuries.
• Creation of the Modern City (1987). On November 27, 1987, by decision of the State Council of the PRC, the prefecture-level city of Huangshan was formed by merging the old Huizhou region and the city of Tunxi. This was a turning point that directed the city's development onto a modern path.
• International Recognition and Tourism Boom. The inclusion of the Huangshan mountain range in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990 provided a massive boost for tourism development. The city began actively developing infrastructure: an airport, high-speed railways, and modern hotels were built, transforming it into one of the country's most popular tourist centres.
• Heritage Preservation. Alongside tourism development, great attention is paid to preserving unique architecture and traditions. Ancient villages such as Hongcun and Xidi, which also received UNESCO heritage status, are carefully restored and attract history enthusiasts from all over the world.

The architectural appearance of Huangshan is a unique combination of traditional buildings from the era of prosperous merchant clans and modern infrastructure that emerged through tourism development. The foundation of its historical heritage is the distinctive Huizhou style, formed during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Huizhou Architectural Style (Ming and Qing Eras)

Formed between the 14th and 19th centuries thanks to the wealth of local merchants, this style is distinguished by elegance and functionality. Its key features are easily recognisable:

• White Walls and Black Tiles: These create a strict yet harmonious monochrome appearance for the buildings, contrasting effectively with the greenery of the surrounding mountains.
• "Horse-Head Walls" (Matouqiang): Stepped gables rising above the roofs serve not only as a decorative element but also performed a vital fire-safety function, preventing the spread of fire between densely packed houses.
• Exquisite Carving: Facades, window frames, doors, and interiors are richly decorated with intricate carvings in wood, brick, and stone. Subjects often include mythological creatures, scenes from daily life, and natural motifs.
• Sky Wells (Tianjing): Small open spaces in the centre of the house designed to collect rainwater, as well as to provide light and ventilation for the interior rooms.

Urban Development

The development of the city can be divided into two main stages:

• Traditional Development (Pre-20th Century): During this period, urban planning was concentrated in villages such as the world-famous Xidi and Hongcun. Their layout adhered to Feng Shui principles, followed the terrain, and was organised around ancestral temples and community centres. These villages, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, are benchmark examples of Huizhou architecture.
• Modern Stage (From Late 20th Century): After the formation of the Huangshan prefecture-level city in 1987, active development began in the administrative centre — the Tunxi district. Modern urban buildings, hotels, and transport hubs appeared here. A striking contrast and simultaneously the heart of the district remains Tunxi Old Street — a pedestrian zone that has preserved hundreds of buildings in the Ming and Qing styles, where souvenir shops, tea houses, and restaurants are located today.

Distinguished Figures Associated with Huangshan

The historical region of Huizhou, where the city of Huangshan is located today, gave China many outstanding scholars, artists, thinkers, and entrepreneurs. Their legacy still defines the cultural landscape of this land.

• Zhu Xi (1130–1200) — Philosopher, historian, and man of letters. Although born in another province, his ancestral roots originate from Wuyuan County (part of Huizhou at that time). Zhu Xi is the most influential Neo-Confucian philosopher, whose commentaries on classical texts became the basis of the civil service examination system in China and remained the canon for nearly seven centuries.
• Cheng Dawei (1533–1606) — A prominent Ming Dynasty mathematician born in Xiuning County. His major work, "General Source of Computational Methods," became the most popular mathematics textbook of its time and played a key role in popularising the Chinese abacus (suanpan).
• Jian Jiang (Hongren) (1610–1664) — Artist and Buddhist monk, one of the founders and leading masters of the Xin'an (Anhui) school of painting. His minimalist and spiritual landscapes, inspired by views of the Huangshan mountains, had a tremendous influence on the development of Chinese visual arts.
• Dai Zhen (1724–1777) — Encyclopaedist philosopher, mathematician, and philologist of the Qing era. Born in modern Huangshan (Xiuning County), he became the leader of the influential intellectual movement of "evidential research." He critiqued orthodox Neo-Confucianism and made significant contributions to various fields of knowledge.
• Hu Xueyan (1823–1885) — One of the most famous and successful merchants of the late Qing Dynasty, a vivid representative of the legendary Huizhou merchants. He built a vast business empire that included banks, pawnshops, pharmacies, as well as silk and tea trade, and even received an official rank from the imperial court.
• Tao Xingzhi (1891–1946) — A distinguished educator and reformer of the education system. Born in Shexian County. After receiving his education in the USA, he returned to China and dedicated his life to creating "life education" accessible to the masses, founding many schools throughout the country.
• Hu Shi (1891–1962) — Philosopher, man of letters, and diplomat, one of the key figures of the "May Fourth Movement" and the cultural revolution of the early 20th century. His ancestors were from Jixi County (Huizhou). Hu Shi was the main proponent of shifting to modern vernacular language (Baihua) in literature, which fundamentally changed Chinese letters and culture.