Quzhou history

The city of Quzhou, located in the west of Zhejiang Province, is a place with a rich and centuries-old history spanning over 1,800 years. Originating as a small county center, it evolved into an important cultural and strategic hub of southeastern China.

Foundation and First Mentions

The city's history begins during the Eastern Han Dynasty. In 192 AD, Xin'an County was founded on these lands, becoming the distant ancestor of modern Quzhou. However, the city received its current name much later. In 621 AD, during the reign of the powerful Tang Dynasty, Quzhou Prefecture was established, which cemented this name for the city.

Key Factors of Development

The city owes its growth and influence to a unique combination of geographical and political factors:

• Strategic Location: Quzhou was historically situated at the intersection of the borders of four provinces: Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Anhui. Its location on the upper reaches of the Qiantang River made it a gateway connecting the coastal and inland regions of the country.
• Trade and Transport Hub: Thanks to its position on a vital waterway, the city became a thriving center of trade. Goods passed through it, strengthening its economic significance for many centuries.
• Administrative Center: Upon receiving the status of a prefecture center (and later a commandery and region), Quzhou concentrated administrative and military power, which contributed to its stable development.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

One of the most vivid pages in Quzhou's history was an event in the 12th century. After the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty, the direct descendants of Confucius migrated south and settled right here. This transformed the city into the second most important center of Confucianism in China, where the ancestral temple of the southern branch of the great sage's family was built. This fact forever defined Quzhou's unique cultural status, which it retains to this day. The city's economy was firmly linked to its role as a trading center, where crafts and the exchange of goods flourished.

Chronology of Key Events

The history of Quzhou is a kaleidoscope of eras, reflecting the rise and fall of great dynasties, as well as cultural and social transformations in China. Below are the main milestones in the city's centuries-old chronicle.

• 192 AD: During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Xin'an County was founded, becoming the administrative predecessor of Quzhou.
• 621: During the Tang Dynasty reign, Quzhou Prefecture was officially established, giving the city its modern name.
• 1129: After the fall of the Song Dynasty's northern capital, descendants of Confucius moved to Quzhou, turning the city into the center of Southern Confucianism.
• 13th-14th Centuries: During the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, the city was transformed into the administrative center of the Quzhou Route.
• 14th-17th Centuries: During the Ming Dynasty, the city's status was upgraded to a Prefecture (Fu), strengthening its role as an important political and economic center in the southeast.
• 1914: Following the Xinhai Revolution and the fall of the last Chinese empire, an administrative reform was carried out, abolishing the old prefecture system.
• 1931: Construction of the railway connecting Quzhou with Hangzhou and Shanghai was completed, significantly enhancing its strategic and commercial importance.
• 1940s: During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Quzhou became a vital strategic point and a theater of military operations.
• 1985: The modern prefecture-level city of Quzhou was officially established, uniting urban districts and surrounding counties under its administration.
• 1994: The State Council of the PRC granted Quzhou the status of a "National Historic and Cultural City," officially recognizing its rich heritage.

Stages of Formation and Development

The development of the city of Quzhou is a journey from a strategic military outpost to a modern "Garden City" integrated into the Yangtze River Delta economy. Throughout its long history, China has seen the rise and fall of many centers, but Quzhou managed to maintain its significance thanks to key transformations.

• Foundation of the Administrative Center (192 AD): The establishment of Xin'an County during the Eastern Han Dynasty marked the starting point of the region's urbanization. This event secured the territory's status as an important administrative hub controlling strategic routes at the junction of provinces.
• Cultural Transformation (1129): The relocation of Confucius' descendants to the south radically changed the city's development vector. Quzhou ceased to be merely a trading or military point, transforming into a spiritual center—the "Second Home of Confucius." This event ensured a constant influx of pilgrims and scholars, stimulating the development of education and printing.
• Era of the Water Trade Route (Ming and Qing Dynasties): Thanks to its location in the upper reaches of the Qiantang River, the city became the main transit point for goods (tea, paper, porcelain) traveling from inland areas to the sea. This period was marked by the flourishing of the merchant class and the formation of the rich architectural appearance of historic districts.
• Railway Revolution (1930s): The construction of the Zhejiang-Jiangxi (Zhegan) railway changed the region's logistics. The city retained its role as a transport hub, reorienting from river transport to rail, which allowed it to maintain economic activity in the industrial era.
• Industrialization and Chemical Industry (1958): The founding of the Juhua Group chemical corporation marked the beginning of the transformation from an agrarian-trading city into a major industrial center. The chemical industry became the locomotive of the local economy for decades, providing jobs and infrastructure growth.
• Integration into the High-Speed Era (2014): The opening of the Hangzhou-Changsha high-speed railway literally "brought" Quzhou closer to the metropolises of Shanghai and Hangzhou. Travel time was reduced to 1–2 hours, giving a powerful impulse to the development of tourism and business ties.
• Course towards Ecological Urbanism (21st Century): In recent years, the city has been implementing the "Great Garden" concept. Moving away from heavy pollution in favor of the digital economy and eco-tourism, as well as the construction of unique landscape parks (such as the sports campus by MAD Architects), marks a new stage of urban planning focused on quality of life.

The architectural appearance of Quzhou represents a harmonious blend of centuries-old history and rapid modern development, characteristic of China. Here, traditional Chinese structures stand alongside futuristic objects, creating a unique urban environment.

Traditional and Imperial Architecture

The historical core of the city is shaped by the influence of classical Chinese architectural canons of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The brightest example is the Southern Confucian Ancestral Temple—one of the two ancestral temples of the great sage's family in the country. Its architecture demonstrates typical features: symmetrical courtyards, curved tiled roofs, and wooden columns and beams adorned with skillful carving. Another iconic object is the partially preserved city wall and the watchtower of the Shuitingmen Gate, which were an important part of the city's defensive system and today serve as a reminder of its strategic past.

Folk Architecture and Urban Planning

In historic districts such as Shuitingmen, one can see examples of traditional residential development of the Zhejiang region. It is characterized by two-story houses with white walls and dark tiled roofs, tightly adjoining each other along narrow streets. These areas, carefully restored, preserve the atmosphere of the old city and demonstrate the principles of traditional Chinese urban planning, where life was closely intertwined with trade and crafts.

Modern and Futuristic Architecture

Starting from the late 20th century, Quzhou's architectural landscape began to be actively supplemented with modern buildings. The Quzhou Sports Campus, designed by the renowned bureau MAD Architects, deserves special attention. Its central stadium, resembling hills in shape and almost completely hidden underground, is one of the world's largest earth-sheltered structures. This project reflects global trends in "green" and landscape architecture, striving to integrate buildings into the natural environment. Such futuristic objects symbolize a new stage of the city's development, focused on innovation and environmental sustainability.

Distinguished Figures Associated with Quzhou

The city of Quzhou, possessing a rich cultural and historical heritage, has become the birthplace or an important stage in life for many famous figures of China. Here are both historical figures who defined the city's unique status and our contemporaries who have brought it fame worldwide.

• Kong Zhu (孔洙) — A 48th-generation descendant of Confucius. In the 12th century, after the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty, he moved south with his family and settled in Quzhou. His decision to remain here, rather than return north at the invitation of the Yuan Dynasty, cemented the city's status as the "Second Home of Confucius" and the center of the southern branch of Confucianism.
• Yang Jizhou (杨继洲) — An outstanding doctor and master of acupuncture during the Ming Dynasty (16th century). He is the author of the fundamental work "The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion" (Zhen Jiu Da Cheng), which summarized the knowledge of that time and is still considered a classic guide in traditional Chinese medicine. Yang Jizhou is revered as one of the patron saints of acupuncture.
• Zhou Xun (周迅) — One of the most famous and acclaimed Chinese actresses and singers of modern times, born in Quzhou. She is the recipient of numerous prestigious film awards and is known for her roles in films such as "Suzhou River" and "Perhaps Love." Her international success has made her one of the city's most recognizable natives.
• Ke Jie (柯洁) — A professional Go player of 9-dan rank, multiple-time world champion, and one of the strongest players of the modern era. Although born in the neighboring city of Lishui, his name is inextricably linked to Quzhou, which holds the title of the "Home of Go Culture" and hosts the prestigious international "Lanke Cup" tournament.
• Huang Yaqiong (黄雅琼) — A native of Quzhou, a professional badminton player specializing in mixed doubles. She is a multiple-time world champion, winner of the Asian Games, and one of the most titled athletes in modern badminton, bringing glory to her hometown on the global sports arena.
• Xu Xiaoying (徐晓英) (1937–2016) — A renowned performer and master of the zither (guqin). She was the honorary chairwoman of the city's "Sanqu" zither club and made a significant contribution to the preservation and popularization of this ancient musical art in Quzhou.