Lianyungang history

Lianyungang is a city with a rich historical heritage, whose past is inextricably linked to the sea and legends. Although the modern name appeared only in 1933 (combining the toponyms of Liandao Island and Yuntai Mountain), the history of settlements in this location dates back thousands of years.

Foundation and First Mentions. The territory of modern Lianyungang was inhabited as early as the Neolithic era. The administrative formation of the city began during the Qin Dynasty (3rd century BC), when Qu County (Quxian) was established here. Later, during the Wei and Tang dynasties, the region became known as Haizhou, which translates as "Sea Prefecture". Under this name, the city is mentioned in most historical chronicles as an important administrative and commercial centre.

The key factors in the region's formation were:

• Strategic Geography: Its location on the coast of the Yellow Sea made the city a natural maritime gateway to the central plains of China. The unique landscape with deep-water bays facilitated the early development of navigation.
• Salt Industry: Since ancient times, this region has been one of the largest salt production centres in China. "Huai Salt" was famous for its quality, and revenues from the salt monopoly played a key role in filling the imperial treasury and developing the local economy.
• Trade Routes: The city historically served as an eastern outpost for trade caravans, connecting maritime routes with the river systems of the inland provinces.

Early Cultural and Economic Features. Ancient Lianyungang developed as a crossroads of cultures, where the traditions of farmers and seafarers mingled. A special place in the region's culture is occupied by Huaguoshan (Mountain of Flowers and Fruits), which is considered the legendary home of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, the hero of the classic epic "Journey to the West". The early economy was based not only on the trade of salt and fish but also on the export of silk and tea, which contributed to the prosperity of local merchants.

Major Historical Milestones

• 221 BC — During the Qin Dynasty, Qu County (Quxian) was established in this territory, becoming the administrative foundation of the future city.
• End of the 1st Century AD — Creation of rock reliefs on Mount Kongwangshan, recognized as some of the earliest evidence of Buddhism's entry into China.
• 618–907 — In the Tang Dynasty era, the Haizhou region flourished as a major centre of maritime trade and a port for communication with Korea and Japan.
• 16th Century — Writer Wu Cheng'en, inspired by the landscapes of the local Huaguoshan Mountain, creates the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West".
• 1644–1911 — During the Qing Dynasty, the city strengthened its status as a salt production centre, supplying salt to a significant part of the empire.
• 1925 — Completion of the eastern section of the Longhai Railway, linking the coast with the central regions of China.
• 1933 — Start of the construction of a modern deep-water port and official adoption of the name "Lianyungang", combining the toponyms of Liandao Island and Yuntai Mountain.
• 1984 — Lianyungang is included in the list of the first 14 coastal cities in China opened to foreign trade and investment.
• 1992 — The city officially becomes the eastern terminal of the New Eurasian Land Bridge — a transcontinental railway route to Rotterdam.
• 2019 — Inclusion of the Lianyungang area in the Jiangsu Pilot Free Trade Zone, strengthening the city's role in the "Belt and Road" initiative.

Stages of Lianyungang's Formation and Development

The history of Lianyungang's transformation from an ancient settlement into a modern metropolis is a journey of integrating marine resources and an advantageous geographical position. Below are the key milestones that have defined the city's current appearance.

• Formation of a Salt Mining and Trade Centre (Antiquity — Middle Ages)

  Historically, the region's economy was based on the extraction of sea salt ("Huai salt"). This industry not only ensured the city's financial well-being for centuries but also facilitated the development of the first transport routes for exporting the resource deep into the continent.

• Acquiring a Cultural Symbol (16th Century)

  The appearance of the novel "Journey to the West" and the association of Huaguoshan Mountain with the home of the Monkey King laid the foundation for the city's unique cultural identity. Today, this literary fact is the main driver of the region's tourism industry.

• Creation of a Multimodal Hub (1920s–1930s)

  The synchronous development of railway communication (the Longhai line) and the start of the construction of a modern deep-water port in 1933 predetermined the city's destiny as a major transport hub. This united sea routes with land routes, creating a unique logistical advantage.

• Economic Liberalization (1984)

  Being granted the status of one of China's 14 open coastal cities was a turning point. This decision attracted foreign investment and technology, allowing for the modernization of the industrial base and turning the city into an industrial centre of Jiangsu province.

• "Eastern Bridge" Status (1990s)

  The official recognition of Lianyungang as the eastern terminal of the New Eurasian Land Bridge secured its role as a "window to Central Asia and Europe". This event reoriented the economy towards international transit and logistics.

• New Era of Free Trade (2019)

  Inclusion in the Pilot Free Trade Zone launched the development of high-tech industries, biopharmaceuticals, and the modern service sector, diversifying the city's economy and reducing dependence on traditional industry.

Architectural Evolution and Urban Planning

The architectural appearance of Lianyungang represents a unique combination of ancient Chinese fortification, religious monuments, and modern port urbanism. The city is clearly zoned into historical districts that preserve the spirit of past dynasties, and new industrial clusters symbolizing the region's economic growth.

Historical Eras and Styles

The development of the city can be divided into several key stages, each leaving its mark on the architecture:

• Song, Ming, and Qing Dynasties (10th–19th centuries) — Traditional Chinese Architecture

  The historical centre of the city — the Haizhou district — is executed in this style. It is characterized by wood-and-brick structures, curved tiled roofs, inner courtyards (siheyuan), and monumental city gates.

• Republic Period (1912–1949) — Eclecticism and Early Industrial

  With the start of port and railway construction in the 1930s, elements of Western functionalism mixed with Chinese motifs (the Minguo style) appeared in the architecture. These include the old customs buildings, the railway station, and administrative port structures.

• Modernity (since the 1990s) — Modernism and High-Tech

  Lianyungang New Area is being built up with high-rise buildings made of glass and concrete, wide avenues, and large-scale public centres, reflecting the city's status as an international logistics hub.

Iconic Architectural Landmarks

The urban fabric of Lianyungang is formed around several dominant features illustrating different eras:

• Haizhou Ancient City: A reconstructed quarter reproducing the atmosphere of old China. Key elements include the Drum Tower and massive city gates executed in the Ming Dynasty style.
• Haiqing Temple Pagoda: Built during the Song Dynasty (11th century), this 40-metre nine-story structure is a masterpiece of ancient engineering and the tallest ancient pagoda in northern Jiangsu.
• Lianyun Old Railway Station: An architectural monument of the early 20th century, combining European engineering rigour with elements of Chinese decor. The building symbolizes the beginning of the city's industrial era.
• Lianyungang Culture and Arts Centre: A bright example of postmodernism. The complex features futuristic forms resembling sea waves or clouds, which references the city's name ("Port Connecting the Clouds").

Notable Figures of Lianyungang

The history of Lianyungang is inextricably linked with the names of great travellers, writers, and thinkers. These people not only brought fame to the region but also made a significant contribution to the culture and history of China.

• Xu Fu
  Court alchemist, healer, and navigator (Qin Dynasty, 3rd century BC)

  A native of Ganyu County (a modern district of Lianyungang). By order of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, he led a large-scale expedition to the east in search of the elixir of immortality. It is believed that Xu Fu's fleet reached the shores of Japan, where he remained, bringing farming and medical skills there. There is a park and a village in the city named in his honour.

• Wu Cheng'en
  Writer and poet (Ming Dynasty, 16th century)

  Although the writer was born in neighbouring Huai'an, his name is forever linked to Lianyungang. It was the local Huaguoshan Mountain that inspired him to describe the "Mountain of Flowers and Fruits" — the homeland of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, in the novel "Journey to the West". This literary connection has made the city famous throughout the world.

• Li Ruzhen
  Writer and scholar-phonologist (Qing Dynasty, 18th–19th centuries)

  Author of the famous fantasy novel "Flowers in the Mirror" (Jing Hua Yuan). Li Ruzhen lived in Haizhou (the old name for Lianyungang) for over ten years. Local landscapes, customs, and folklore found wide reflection in his work, which is considered a classic of Chinese literature.

• Zhu Ziqing
  Essayist, poet, and literary critic (20th century)

  One of the most influential writers of modern China, born in Donghai County (part of Lianyungang). His lyrical essays, such as "The Sight of Father's Back" (Beiying), are part of the Chinese school curriculum. Zhu Ziqing became a symbol of the intelligentsia and patriotism in the first half of the 20th century.

• Yan Ying
  Statesman and diplomat (Spring and Autumn Period, 6th century BC)

  Also known as Yanzi, the legendary Prime Minister of the State of Qi. Historical chronicles link his origins to the lands that are now part of Lianyungang. He was famous for his wisdom, eloquence, and frugality, becoming the hero of many philosophical parables.

• Zhong Huijuan
  Entrepreneur (Modernity)

  Founder and Chairperson of Hansoh Pharmaceutical, based in Lianyungang. She is one of the most successful businesswomen in the world. Her activities highlight the city's status as a modern centre for biopharmaceuticals and high technologies.