Jiujiang history

The city of Jiujiang boasts a rich history rooted in deep antiquity. The first settlements in this territory, known as Chaisang and Xunyang, existed during the era of the first centralized empires of China. By the 3rd century AD, a customs post was already functioning here, indicating the region's early economic significance. The official status of the city was consolidated in 589 AD during the Sui Dynasty, when it became the administrative centre of the county.

A key factor in the establishment and prosperity of Jiujiang has always been its strategic geographical location. Situated on the southern bank of the mighty Yangtze River, at its confluence with the country's largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake, the city naturally evolved into a vital transport and trade hub. This allowed it to connect the inland provinces with the country's main waterways.

Over the centuries, the city's economy was closely tied to trade. Jiujiang was one of the main centres for the sale of rice and, in particular, tea, earning fame in the 17th–19th centuries as one of the most important tea trading ports. The city's cultural development was also inseparable from its geography—its proximity to Mount Lushan, celebrated by many poets and artists, attracted scholars and creative individuals to the region. The opening of the port to international trade in 1861 gave a new impetus to the city's economic growth.

Key Dates in the History of Jiujiang

The history of Jiujiang spans more than two millennia. The city has journeyed from ancient settlements to an important trading port and cultural centre, a path reflected in the key events of its chronicle.

• 221–207 BC (Qin Dynasty): The first administrative counties, such as Chaisang and Xunyang, were created in the territory of modern Jiujiang, laying the foundation for the future city.
• 3rd Century AD (Three Kingdoms Period): A customs post was founded, testifying to the early commercial importance of the region on the Yangtze River.
• 589 AD (Sui Dynasty): The settlement officially became the administrative centre of the county and received the name Jiujiang, strengthening its status in the imperial system.
• 621 AD (Tang Dynasty): Xunyang County was established, and the city became the setting for the famous poem by Bai Juyi, "Song of the Pipa", which forever inscribed it in the history of Chinese literature.
• 960–1127 (Song Dynasty): The White Deer Grotto Academy (Bailudong Academy) near Jiujiang became one of the most important centres of Neo-Confucian thought and education in China.
• 1368–1644 (Ming Dynasty): The name Jiujiang was permanently secured for the city, which it bears to this day.
• 17th–19th Centuries (Qing Dynasty): Jiujiang reached the peak of its economic power, becoming one of the main centres for tea and rice trade in the country.
• 1861: In accordance with the Treaties of Tianjin, the port of Jiujiang was opened to international trade, leading to the establishment of a foreign concession.
• 1915: Construction was completed on the railway connecting Jiujiang with the provincial capital, Nanchang, improving its transport links.
• 1936–1937: The opening of new railway lines to the coast led to a partial reorientation of trade flows and a decline in the port's role.
• 7 May 1949: The city came under the control of communist forces during the final stage of the Chinese Civil War.
• 1996: The nearby Lushan National Park was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, increasing the tourist appeal of the entire region.
• 2022: The State Council of the PRC awarded Jiujiang the honorary title of "National Historical and Cultural City" in recognition of its rich heritage.

Major Development Milestones

The evolution of the city of Jiujiang is a journey from a strategic outpost to a modern industrial and tourist centre. Several key stages can be highlighted that radically changed the appearance and status of this place on a national scale.

• The Rise of the "Gateway to Jiangxi" (3rd–6th Centuries)
  Transformation of a small settlement into an important customs and administrative point on the Yangtze River.
  Significance: The city secured its role as a main logistics hub, controlling access to the province's resources and linking the north and south of China.
• Cultural Renaissance and the White Deer Grotto Academy (10th Century)
  Expansion of the famous "White Deer Grotto" academy and the influx of the intellectual elite.
  Significance: Jiujiang transformed from a purely trading port into one of the leading educational centres of the empire, influencing the development of Neo-Confucianism.
• Era of the "Tea Port" (17th–19th Centuries)
  The city entered the top three largest tea and rice markets in the country.
  Significance: This period brought colossal economic prosperity to the region, forming a class of wealthy merchants and developed port infrastructure.
• Opening to International Trade (1861)
  Assignment of treaty port status and the creation of a foreign concession.
  Significance: The beginning of urban modernization: the appearance of European-style buildings, the introduction of Western technologies, and the integration of the local economy into the global trading system.
• Railway Revolution (Early 20th Century)
  Launch of the railway connecting the port with the provincial capital, Nanchang.
  Significance: Transition to multimodal logistics, which allowed the city to maintain economic relevance amidst the declining role of river transport.
• Modern Urbanization and Yangtze Bridges (Late 20th – Early 21st Century)
  Construction of massive bridges and the development of a free economic zone.
  Significance: The final formation of Jiujiang as a key industrial hub in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and a centre for international tourism.

The architectural appearance of Jiujiang represents a multi-layered canvas upon which various eras have left their mark—from ancient Chinese dynasties to the period of international trade and modern urban planning. This combination of traditional, European, and contemporary styles makes the city a unique object for exploration.

The historical core of the city was formed under the influence of classical Chinese architecture, which can be traced in the layout of old quarters and traditional buildings. An important role in shaping its appearance was played by its location at the foot of Mount Lushan and on the shores of Lake Poyang, which inspired the creation of harmonious architectural ensembles integrated into the natural landscape. Examples include ancient temples and pagodas reflecting the aesthetics of the Tang and Song dynasties.

A key turning point in urban development occurred in 1861, when Jiujiang became an open port, and a British concession was founded within its territory. This period brought European architecture to the city—mainly colonial and Victorian styles. Administrative buildings, villas, and churches built of brick and stone appeared on the waterfront and in adjacent districts, which still contrast with the traditional development and serve as a reminder of the city's trading past.

From the second half of the 20th century to the present day, Jiujiang, like many cities in China, has been experiencing rapid growth. Modern architecture is represented by high-rise residential and office buildings, large shopping centres, and transport infrastructure objects, such as the majestic bridges across the Yangtze River. New urban planning is aimed at expanding the city and creating modern functional districts, yet the historical quarters and European heritage remain an important part of its identity.

Distinguished Personalities Associated with Jiujiang

For centuries, Jiujiang and its surroundings have been a place of life, creativity, and inspiration for many outstanding figures of Chinese and world culture. Their legacy has forever inscribed the city into the annals of history.

• Tao Yuanming (365–427) — Poet of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. One of the greatest hermit poets in Chinese history, he was born in the territory of modern Jiujiang (in Chaisang County). His work, celebrating withdrawal from worldly vanity and merging with nature, laid the foundations of "landscape poetry" and had a tremendous influence on all subsequent Chinese poetry.
• Li Bo (701–762) — Poet of the Tang Dynasty. Although not a native of these parts, Li Bo repeatedly visited the famous Mount Lushan near Jiujiang. His poem "Viewing the Waterfall at Mount Lushan", in which he compares the water flow to the Milky Way falling from the heavens, has become a textbook classic and one of the most recognizable images in Chinese poetry.
• Bai Juyi (772–846) — Poet of the Tang Dynasty. While exiled to a post in Jiangzhou (the old name for Jiujiang), Bai Juyi created one of his major works here—the poem "Song of the Pipa". A meeting with a former capital singer on the banks of the Yangtze River inspired him to create a masterpiece that forever linked the poet's name with Jiujiang.
• Zhu Xi (1130–1200) — Neo-Confucian philosopher of the Song Dynasty. The greatest systematizer of Confucianism, Zhu Xi revived and taught for a long time at the White Deer Grotto Academy (Bailudong), located at the foot of Mount Lushan. Under his leadership, the academy became China's most important intellectual centre, and his teachings defined state ideology for centuries.
• Huang Tingjian (1045–1105) — Poet, painter, and calligrapher of the Song Dynasty. A native of Fenning County (now Xiushui, part of Jiujiang), Huang Tingjian is considered one of the "Four Masters of Calligraphy of the Song Dynasty" and the founder of the Jiangxi school of poetry. His work had a significant influence on the development of Chinese aesthetic thought.
• Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) — American writer, Nobel Prize laureate in Literature. The daughter of American missionaries, Pearl Buck spent most of her life in China. The writer's family owned a villa on Mount Lushan, where she spent her summers. It was these places, by her own admission, that inspired her to become a writer. Her novel "The Good Earth" opened the life of the Chinese peasantry to the Western world and brought her worldwide fame.