Manzhouli history

The history of Manzhouli is the story of a young city, whose birth and rapid development are inextricably linked to the construction of the legendary Chinese Eastern Railway (CER). Unlike the ancient centres of China, Manzhouli emerged at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries as a strategic transport and trade hub.

Foundation and First Mentions

The city was founded in 1901 as the "Manchuria" railway station on the CER main line, which connected Chita with Vladivostok and Port Arthur. Initially, it was a small settlement built for the needs of engineers, workers, and railway employees. It owes its existence to a massive project that significantly shortened the route for cargo delivery from Europe to Asia.

Key Factors of Development

The city's rapid growth was driven by several interconnected factors:

• Geographical Location: Its location right on the border with Russia made Manzhouli a key land border point, a "gateway" for trade and cultural exchange.
• Trade and Economy: From the very beginning, the station became a centre of attraction for Russian and Chinese merchants. Active exchange of goods took place through Manzhouli: timber, furs, tea, silk, and industrial goods.
• Political Influence: As a vital link in the CER, the city was within the zone of economic and political interests of several powers, which contributed to a constant influx of capital and population.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, Manzhouli acquired the unique appearance of a "city of two cultures". Russian and Chinese traditions were closely intertwined here. The architecture of the first buildings, the way of life, and even the language bore the imprint of this mixture, creating the unique atmosphere of a border city open to the world.

Chronology of Manzhouli's History

The history of Manzhouli, a relatively young city, is closely interwoven with key events of the 20th century in Northeast Asia. From a railway station to an international trade centre, here are the main milestones of its development.

• 1901 — Foundation of the settlement at the "Manchuria" station during the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER) by the Russian Empire.
• 1903 — Official opening of through traffic on the CER, turning the station into an important transport hub on the border.
• 1909 — The Chinese county of Lubin is officially established in the territory around the station, marking the first step towards the administrative formalisation of the settlement.
• 1929 — The station and the railway become the centre of the Sino-Soviet armed conflict for control over the CER.
• 1932 — Following the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, the city becomes part of the puppet state of Manchukuo.
• 1935 — The Soviet Union sells its share of the CER to the Manchukuo authorities, ending the era of Russian management of the railway.
• 1945 — During the Soviet-Japanese War, the city is liberated by Soviet troops, and the state of Manchukuo ceases to exist.
• 1949 — After the establishment of the PRC, Manzhouli officially becomes part of the newly created Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
• 1952 — The Soviet Union finally and gratuitously transfers all rights to the CER (at that time — the Chinese Changchun Railway) to the government of China.
• 1992 — Manzhouli receives the status of one of China's first "open" border cities, giving a powerful impetus to the development of international trade and tourism.
• 1996 — The Sino-Russian Border Mutual Trade Zone is officially opened in the city, strengthening its status as the "Gateway to Asia".

Key Milestones of Development: From Station to Metropolis

The story of the transformation of Manzhouli from a humble settlement into a neon-lit tourist centre is a chronicle of rapid change. Each milestone in the city's development radically changed its appearance and economic role, turning it into a unique phenomenon on the map of China.

• Birth of a City on Rails (1901)
  Significance: A fundamental stage. The construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway did not just give life to the city, but also defined its urban structure. The regular layout of streets and the first capital buildings in the Russian Art Nouveau style laid the foundation for the European look, which is a main tourist attraction today.
• Opening the "Window to the World" (1992)
  Significance: Economic liberalisation. Being granted the status of an open border city was a turning point. This decision removed many barriers to foreign trade, attracted investment, and launched the process of transforming a closed border post into a lively commercial hub.
• Creation of the Mutual Trade Zone (1996)
  Significance: Trade boom. The launch of the country's first official Sino-Russian trade zone simplified visa and customs regimes for merchants. This led to the flourishing of cross-border trade and filled the city budget, allowing for large-scale landscaping projects.
• Tourist Urbanisation and the "Architectural Miracle" (2000s)
  Significance: Image change. City authorities adopted a tourism development strategy, starting mass construction of replica buildings of famous European and Russian monuments. The appearance of Matryoshka Square and Gothic-style palaces transformed the urban environment, turning it into a massive open-air theme park.
• Integration into the "New Silk Road" (from 2013)
  Significance: Global logistics. Manzhouli became a key land port in the "Belt and Road" initiative. The modernisation of cargo terminals made the city the main gateway for freight trains running between Europe and Asia, ensuring stable economic growth independent of seasonal tourism.

The architectural landscape of Manzhouli is unique and reflects its short but turbulent history as a border city. Unlike ancient Chinese capitals, you will not find traditional dynastic styles here. Instead, the city represents an eclectic mix of pre-revolutionary Russian architecture and modern Chinese postmodernism oriented towards tourism. European eras such as Gothic or Renaissance have no historical relation to the city, yet their elements can be found in modern thematic developments.

Legacy of the CER: Russian Style of the Early 20th Century

Manzhouli's urban development began in 1901 with the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER). The first capital structures — the station, administrative buildings, and residential houses for engineers and employees — were erected by Russian specialists. They are characterised by features typical of Russian provincial architecture of that time: elements of Art Nouveau and Neoclassicism. Historical buildings preserved in some quarters are represented by brick and wooden structures, which still remind us of the city's origins. These buildings formed the initial layout and set the European vector in the city's appearance.

Era of Openness: Postmodernism and Tourist Eclecticism

A new stage in architectural development began in the 1990s when Manzhouli received the status of an "open city". From this moment, a construction boom began, aimed at creating an attractive tourist centre. This period is characterised by total postmodernism and the creation of thematic architecture. Instead of copying a single style, architects began to boldly borrow and exaggerate recognisable images.

Iconic examples of this approach are:

• Matryoshka Square: The world's largest 30-metre nesting doll (matryoshka), housing a restaurant inside, is surrounded by dozens of smaller dolls and painted eggs. This complex is the quintessence of a playful approach to architecture, creating a fairytale atmosphere.
• Wedding Palace: A building designed in the spirit of a European Gothic castle, it is a striking example of architectural quoting not linked to local history, but creating a strong visual image.
• Modern Urban Development: Many new buildings in the city centre are stylised as European, predominantly Russian, architecture, creating a unified, albeit eclectic, ensemble.

Thus, the architecture of Manzhouli is a living illustration of its role as a "gateway" between cultures, where historical Russian heritage sits alongside the vivid and sometimes grotesque fantasy of modern Chinese architects who have turned the city into one big tourist attraction.

Notable People Connected to Manzhouli

The history of Manzhouli, a city at the crossroads of cultures and trade routes, is inextricably linked with the activities of striking historical figures. Although the city is young, its strategic position on the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER) and the border made it an arena for the activities of many prominent individuals from different eras.

• Sergei Witte (1849–1915) — Statesman of the Russian Empire, Minister of Finance. He was the main ideologue and initiator of the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway and its component part — the CER. Although Witte never lived in Manzhouli, his strategic vision and the agreements concluded with China in 1896 led to the founding of the "Manchuria" station, from which the modern city grew.
• Dmitry Horvat (1858–1937) — Lieutenant General, railway engineer. From 1903 to 1918, he was the permanent manager of the CER and effectively directed the entire exclusion zone, including the "Manchuria" station. During his tenure, the city developed actively, and his administration ensured order and economic growth. Horvat played a key role in the establishment of the entire region's infrastructure.
• Pu Yi (1906–1967) — The last emperor of the Qing Dynasty and subsequently the emperor of the puppet state of Manchukuo (1934–1945). Manzhouli was an important western border city of this state, through which control over trade and transport flows was exercised. Thus, the city was directly under his nominal rule during this historical period.
• Rodion Malinovsky (1898–1967) — Marshal of the Soviet Union. In August 1945, he commanded the troops of the Transbaikal Front during the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation. Under his leadership, Soviet troops liberated Manchuria, including the city of Manzhouli, from the Japanese Kwantung Army, which was the final stage of World War II in Asia.
• Jonah of Hankou (1888–1925) — Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, a saint. In the early 1920s, after the Civil War, he lived in Manzhouli and served as the rector of St. Innocent's Church. In a short time, he turned the parish into a spiritual centre for emigrants, becoming famous for his pastoral activities and asceticism.