Mudanjiang history

The city of Mudanjiang, located in Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China, has a history closely intertwined with the development of the entire Manchuria region. Although these lands have been inhabited since ancient times and were even part of the Bohai State during the Tang Dynasty, the modern city is relatively young. It received its name from the Mudan River, which translates from Manchu as "Meandering River".

Foundation and Key Factors of Formation

A turning point in the history of Mudanjiang was the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1903, a railway station was founded here, marking the beginning of the settlement's rapid industrial and commercial development. Its geographical position on a strategically important railway line connecting Chita with Vladivostok turned Mudanjiang into a vital transport hub. Mudanjiang received official city status in 1937.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From its very foundation, the city became a centre of attraction for people of various nationalities, including Han, Manchus, and Koreans, which shaped its diverse cultural appearance. The economy of the young city was firmly linked to its location. Key sectors became transport and logistics, associated with servicing the railway line and growing trade flows, as well as industry—the city quickly became a centre for the timber industry and developed food, textile, and pulp and paper sectors. Furthermore, Mudanjiang served as a trading hub for distributing produce from surrounding agricultural areas where soybeans, wheat, and rice were grown.

Thus, it was the construction of the CER that acted as the catalyst, transforming a small station into a major industrial and economic centre of Northeast China.

Timeline of Key Events

• 698–926 — The territory of modern Mudanjiang is part of the ancient Bohai State, the capital of which was located nearby.
• 1901–1903 — The Mudanjiang railway station is founded as part of the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER), laying the foundation for the modern city.
• 1932 — The city comes under the administration of Manchukuo.
• 1 December 1937 — The settlement officially receives city status and becomes the administrative centre of the newly created Mudanjiang province within Manchukuo.
• August 1945 — A change of power occurs in the city, and management transfers to a new administration.
• 1946 — Suining Province is established in the city, and it becomes an important administrative centre of the region.
• 1954 — Songjiang Province, which included Mudanjiang, is abolished, and the city is definitively incorporated into Heilongjiang Province.
• 1983 — The modern administrative structure is finalised, and Mudanjiang receives prefecture-level city status.
• 2021 — The Mudanjiang–Jiamusi high-speed railway is put into operation, significantly improving transport connections in the region.

Key Milestones in the Development of Mudanjiang

The history of modern Mudanjiang is a vivid example of how strategic location and industrial initiatives can transform a small settlement into a significant urban centre. The city's development can be traced through several key stages.

• Foundation of the Railway Station (1903) — The appearance of the station on the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER) was the starting point in the city's history. This event turned the territory into an important transport hub, serving as a catalyst for further economic and demographic growth.
• Rise as an Industrial Centre (1930s–1950s) — In 1937, Mudanjiang officially received city status. During this period, the foundations of its industrial power were laid. The city became a centre for timber processing and also developed textile, food, and pulp and paper industries.
• Era of Economic Reforms (from the 1980s) — With the beginning of the reform and opening-up policy in China, Mudanjiang's economy received a new impulse. The city began to actively modernise existing industries and master new ones, such as the production of electronics and televisions, which became known beyond the country's borders. Rapid economic growth during this period exceeded 10% per year.
• Development of Tourism (Late 20th – Early 21st Centuries) — Unique natural sites, primarily the picturesque Lake Jingpo (Jingpohu), became the basis for transforming Mudanjiang into a popular tourist destination. The development of tourism infrastructure, including parks, nature reserves, and resorts, attracted both domestic and international travellers to the region.
• Transport Modernisation (2010s–2020s) — The commissioning of high-speed railways connecting Mudanjiang with Harbin (2018) and Jiamusi (2021) radically improved the city's transport accessibility. This reduced travel time to key economic centres and promoted further growth in trade and tourism, including with border regions of Russia.
• Cultural and International Cooperation (Present Day) — In recent years, Mudanjiang has actively positioned itself as a venue for international events. An example is the hosting of the Northeast Asia E-sports Carnival in 2025, which gathered participants from China, Russia, and other countries, strengthening cultural ties among youth in the region.

The architectural appearance of Mudanjiang is a clear reflection of its turbulent 20th-century history. Unlike the ancient capitals of China, the city cannot boast monuments of imperial dynasties, although its history dates back to ancient times when the capital of the Bohai State was located here. Its modern urban development began at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and went through several distinct stages, each leaving its mark on the city streets.

The foundation for modern Mudanjiang was the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER). Founded in 1903, the railway station became the core of the future city. This period brought with it characteristic Russian utilitarian architecture of the early 20th century. Buildings of that time, including stations, service structures, and residential houses for engineers, combined functionality with elements of Neoclassicism or Art Nouveau. Echoes of this influence can be seen in the old districts of the city, as well as in such objects as the Saint Nicholas Church, located next to the China-Russia Friendship Square.

The next significant architectural layer is connected with the period of the 1930s and early 1940s, when Japanese influence was noticeable in the region. During this time, buildings in the style of colonial modernism appeared, characterised by strict lines and a functional approach. The subsequent era of socialist construction in the PRC brought features of Soviet constructivism to the city—monumental public buildings and standard residential blocks designed to provide housing for the growing population of the industrial centre.

Starting from the 1980s, in the era of reform and opening-up, Mudanjiang, like many Chinese cities, experienced a construction boom. Old structures were replaced by modern multi-storey complexes of glass and concrete, large shopping centres, and new public spaces. Today, the appearance of the central streets is defined by these buildings in the styles of modernism and postmodernism, symbolising economic growth and the dynamic development of the city.

Notable People Connected to Mudanjiang

The city of Mudanjiang, despite its relatively short history, has become the birthplace of a number of individuals who have achieved recognition in China and abroad. They have distinguished themselves in various fields—from arts and sports to science and public service.

• Han Geng — Singer, actor, and dancer. Born in Mudanjiang on 9 February 1984. Han Geng gained wide fame as a member of the popular South Korean group Super Junior, becoming one of the first Chinese artists to achieve success on the K-pop scene. After leaving the group, he began a successful solo career in China, becoming one of the major stars of Chinese pop music and cinema.
• Zhang Guimei — Educator and public figure. Born in Mudanjiang in 1957. She is the founder and principal of China's first free high school for girls from low-income families. Her selfless work in providing education to thousands of girls from poor mountain regions of Yunnan Province brought her national recognition and the highest state awards, making her a moral beacon for the entire country.
• Li Xianyu — Rocket scientist and military engineer. Born in Mudanjiang in 1965 to an ethnic Korean family. She is a Major General in the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Li Xianyu has made a key contribution to the modernisation of China's strategic missile forces by developing advanced command and control systems.
• Elvis Tsui (Xu Jinjiang) — Actor and artist. Born in Mudanjiang in 1961. After moving to Hong Kong, he built a successful career in cinema, appearing in over 150 films. He is known for his charismatic roles, often playing vivid and memorable characters in wuxia films and historical dramas. In addition to acting, he is a recognised artist.
• Dong Xuan — Actress. Born in Mudanjiang on 5 November 1979. After graduating from the Beijing Film Academy, she became a famous actress, starring in many popular TV series and films, including historical dramas and modern melodramas.
• Ning Zhongyan — Speed skater. Born in Mudanjiang on 3 November 1999. He is one of the leading athletes of the Chinese national speed skating team. He successfully competes in international competitions, including World Cup stages and the Olympic Games, where he has shown some of the best results in the country's history in middle-distance races.