Longnan history

Ancient Origins and Foundation

The history of Longnan is rooted in deep antiquity. Archaeological findings indicate that humans inhabited these lands as early as the Neolithic era, over 7,000 years ago. This region is often referred to as one of the cradles of Chinese civilization, as it was here, in the upper reaches of the Jialing River, that the early culture of the ancestors of the Qin Dynasty emerged.

The administrative organization of the territory began significantly later. A major milestone was the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (2nd century BC), when the Wudu Commandery was established. This historical name remained attached to the region for many centuries before it received its modern name, which means "South of Mount Longshan".

Key Development Factors

The development of Longnan as an important centre was driven by a unique combination of geographical and strategic factors:

• Strategic Position: The city is located at the junction of three provinces — Gansu, Shaanxi, and Sichuan. In ancient times, it served as a key passage and military outpost controlling the routes south into the Kingdom of Shu.
• Unique Climate: Unlike the arid northern part of Gansu, Longnan lies within a subtropical climate zone. This allowed for the development of agriculture atypical for the north, earning the region the nickname "Jiangnan of the North" (meaning "South of the Yangtze River in the North").
• Natural Resources: Mountains and rivers provided natural defence and access to water, which facilitated the growth of settled communities.

Early Culture and Economy

In ancient times, Longnan was a site of active cultural exchange. The paths of nomadic tribes (Di and Qiang) and plains farmers crossed here. From early times, the region's economy relied on:

• Horse Breeding: The ancestors of the Qin people were renowned as skilled horse breeders who supplied horses to the Zhou Dynasty court.
• Gathering of Medicinal Herbs: Thanks to its rich flora, the region became an important centre for traditional Chinese medicine.
• Trade: Caravans passed through local mountain trails, connecting Northwest China with the Southwest, ensuring the exchange of tea, horses, and silk.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of Longnan spans millennia, witnessing the formation of Chinese statehood and significant military events.

• Circa 900 BC — According to historical records, an ancestor of the House of Qin named Feizi was granted lands in this region for horse breeding, which marked the beginning of the rise of the Qin Dynasty.
• 111 BC — Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty officially established the Wudu Commandery, marking the start of the administrative organization of the territory of modern Longnan.
• 219 AD — During the Three Kingdoms period, the region became an arena of fierce battles between the kingdoms of Shu and Wei for control over strategic passes.
• 229 AD — The famous strategist Zhuge Liang (Kingdom of Shu) sent troops to capture the Wudu Commandery, incorporating these lands into his state's sphere of influence.
• 1264 — During the Yuan Dynasty, the administrative unit of Jiezhou was approved, the boundaries of which partially coincided with the modern city.
• 1729 — During the Qing Dynasty, the Jiezhou area received the status of a directly controlled department, which elevated its political status.
• 1913 — Following the establishment of the Republic of China, a reform was carried out resulting in the abolition of old administrative names and the approval of Wudu County.
• September 1935 — During the Long March, the Chinese Red Army arrived in the town of Hadapu, where a crucial meeting took place that determined the further direction of troop movements to northern Shaanxi.
• December 1949 — Establishment of control by the new authority and creation of the Wudu Special District, the predecessor to the modern administrative unit.
• 1985 — Wudu Prefecture was renamed Longnan Prefecture, officially cementing the region's modern name on the country's map.
• 2004 — Longnan received the status of a prefecture-level city, giving new impetus to economic development and urbanization.
• May 2008 — The region suffered significantly from the effects of the Wenchuan Earthquake, after which a large-scale state infrastructure reconstruction programme began.
• 2017 — Opening of traffic on the Lanzhou-Chongqing Railway, which for the first time provided reliable rail connections between mountainous Longnan and major metropolises.
• 2018 — Commissioning of Longnan Chengxian Airport, opening the city's air gates to tourists and business.

Development and Transformation Milestones

The modern appearance of Longnan has been shaped by a series of key events in recent decades, transforming it from a remote mountain area into a dynamically developing economic hub of Gansu Province.

• Administrative Reform (2004): The granting of prefecture-level city status was the starting point for systemic urbanization. This event allowed for centralized budget planning, the launch of large-scale urban planning projects, and the beginning of the formation of a modern city centre in the Wudu District.
• Post-Crisis Modernization (post-2008): The consequences of the Wenchuan Earthquake became a powerful stimulus for a complete infrastructure overhaul. The state reconstruction programme allowed not just for repairs, but for the rebuilding of roads, social facilities, and residential quarters meeting advanced seismic safety standards.
• Overcoming Transport Isolation (2017–2018): The commissioning of the Lanzhou-Chongqing Railway and Chengxian Airport became the region's main economic breakthrough of the century. The city integrated into the national logistics network, ensuring an influx of tourists and reducing the cost of exporting local products.
• Rise of the "Olive Capital": The strategic decision to develop olive cultivation in the valleys of the Bailong and Baishui rivers changed the structure of the agrarian economy. Today, Longnan is the largest olive oil production base in China, bringing the region international renown and investment in the processing industry.
• Digital Transformation of Trade: Longnan became one of China's pilot cities for the development of rural e-commerce. The creation of a developed logistics network and online shops allowed local farmers to sell walnuts, peppers, and medicinal herbs directly across the country, significantly improving the economic well-being of residents.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Longnan represents a unique fusion of northern monumentality and southern elegance, driven by its border position between arid Gansu and humid Sichuan. The city's urban development is inextricably linked to the complex mountainous terrain, which dictates a linear building structure along the river valleys.

Historical Heritage and Traditional Style

Before the onset of large-scale urbanization, the region's appearance was shaped by traditional Chinese architecture adapted to the local climate. Unlike the flat roofs typical of the north, pitched tiled roofs, characteristic of the rainy south, prevailed here.

• Ming and Qing Era (14th–20th centuries): The primary style of this period was wood and brick architecture. Residential and administrative buildings were constructed on the principle of siheyuan (courtyard houses), but with a more compact layout due to land scarcity.
• Landmark Site — Hadapu Town: This is a veritable open-air museum preserving the atmosphere of old China. The main street, over a kilometre long, is lined with wooden shops and houses from the Ming and Qing eras. The buildings feature carved facades, overhanging eaves, and narrow frontages facing the trade route.

20th Century Urban Planning: Functionalism

In the mid-20th century, with the development of the city's administrative role, architecture acquired features of a utilitarian socialist style. Construction was primarily carried out using brick and concrete, with an emphasis on simplicity and functionality.

• Soviet Influence and Local Pragmatism: Administrative buildings of the 1950s–1970s were characterized by strict geometry and a lack of decoration. However, due to the mountainous terrain, standard designs often had to be modified to fit into narrow terraces on the slopes.

Modern Stage: Modernism and Vertical Growth

A key moment in Longnan's recent architectural history was the recovery after the 2008 earthquake and obtaining prefecture-level city status. The city's modern style is modernism with high-tech elements, dictated by the need for seismic resistance and space conservation.

• Wudu District: The city's administrative centre is a vivid example of necessary vertical development. The city is wedged into the narrow valley of the Bailong River, leading to the emergence of a dense wall of high-rise residential and office buildings along the embankments.
• Infrastructure Dominants: The new Longnan Railway Station (built in 2017) is designed in a modern style combining glass and concrete with elements stylized as traditional Chinese roofs, symbolizing the connection between eras.
• Bridges and Embankments: An important part of the architectural ensemble are the numerous bridges across the river, which not only serve a transport function but also act as visual accents of the evening city thanks to modern lighting.

Distinguished Figures in Longnan's History

The land of Longnan, being a strategic corridor and a cradle of early civilization, is linked to the names of great strategists, rulers, and poets. Their legacy is captured in local legends, place names, and historical chronicles.

• Feizi (9th century BC) — Progenitor of the Qin Dynasty, legendary horse breeder.
  It was on the territory of modern Longnan that Feizi bred horses for the court of the Zhou Dynasty. For his successes, he received land in this region and a title from King Xiao, which marked the beginning of the history of the Qin Kingdom, which subsequently united all of China.
• Jiang Wei (202–264 AD) — General and Regent of the Kingdom of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period.
  Heir to Zhuge Liang's strategy, Jiang Wei used the mountainous terrain of Longnan as a base for his Northern Expeditions and the defence of the Kingdom of Shu. Many fortresses and outposts in the region are connected to his name and heroic resistance against the Wei troops.
• Deng Ai (197–264 AD) — Commander of the Kingdom of Wei.
  Executed one of the most daring military manoeuvres in Chinese history. He led an army through the seemingly impassable Yinping mountain trail (located in Wenxian County, Longnan) to launch a surprise attack on the capital of the Kingdom of Shu, leading to the fall of the rival state.
• Du Fu (712–770 AD) — Great poet of the Tang Dynasty.
  In 759, fleeing the An Lushan Rebellion, the poet lived for some time in Tonggu County (modern Chengxian). Here he wrote over 100 poems, including a famous cycle describing the rugged beauty and daily life of the mountain region. A memorial temple has been built in the city in honour of his stay.
• Wu Jie (1093–1139 AD) — General of the Southern Song Dynasty, national hero.
  Famous for the brilliant defence of the Xianrenguan Pass (Huixian County). In 1134, his troops, outnumbered by the enemy, managed to stop the invasion of the Jurchen Jin Dynasty by utilizing the features of the local landscape and innovative tactics.
• Wang Renyu (880–956 AD) — Historian, writer, and poet of the Five Dynasties era.
  A native of these parts (modern Lixian County). Author of the famous collection "Idle Talks in the Jade Hall" (Yutang Xianhua), in which he preserved much unique information about the culture, geography, and folklore of Northwest China of that time.