Siping history

Although the history of settlements in the territory of modern Siping dates back about 3,000 years, this area did not hold great significance until the late 19th century. Ancient tribes such as the Fuyu, Goguryeo, Khitan, and Manchu left their cultural mark here. The region is considered one of the cradles of Manchu culture, and the nearby town of Yehe is the birthplace of two empresses of the Qing Dynasty. The modern history of the city began in 1898, when a railway station was established here as part of the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER). It received the official name "Siping" in 1903, with the commencement of the railway's full operation.

Siping owes its growth and development in the 20th century to several key factors. A turning point was its transformation into an important transport hub. After the construction of the main line connecting Changchun and Dalian in 1902, the city began to grow rapidly, and the laying of new branches in 1923 and 1939 only strengthened its role as a regional commercial centre. Furthermore, its advantageous geographical position in the centre of the fertile Songliao Plain, at the intersection of routes from Jilin and Liaoning provinces and the Inner Mongolia region, made it a natural centre for trade and logistics. The high strategic value of the city is confirmed by the fact that it became the arena for several major battles during the Chinese Civil War (1945–1949). After 1949, Siping was quickly restored and continued its industrial development.

From the very beginning of the 20th century, Siping's economy was inextricably linked to its geographical position, which quickly turned the city into a trading hub for the densely populated agricultural region. Planned development began after 1907 under the management of the South Manchuria Railway Company. In the 1930s, enterprises for processing agricultural products began to appear here: breweries, oil mills, and flour mills. During the Second World War, a synthetic fuel plant was built. Today, Siping is known as one of the key bases for grain production in China, earning it the title of one of the "three granaries" of the Northeast.

Key Dates in the History of Siping

The modern history of Siping is closely linked to the construction of the railway in the late 19th century, which transformed it into a strategically important hub and an arena for key events of the 20th century.

• 1898 — As part of the construction of the South Manchuria branch of the CER, a railway station was founded, marking the beginning of the modern city.
• 1903 — The station received the official name "Siping" with the start of full operation of the railway line.
• 1905 — During the Russo-Japanese War, the front line passed through the city area.
• 1941 — During the Manchukuo era, a new Siping province was established with its centre in the city of the same name.
• 1945 — After the end of the Second World War, the city became part of Liaobei Province of the Republic of China.
• 15–17 March 1946 — Troops of the Communist Party of China captured Siping, which became one of the important battles of the Civil War.
• 18 April – 18 May 1946 — The Kuomintang conducted a counteroffensive; after bloody battles known as the "Defence of Siping", the city returned to their control.
• June 1947 — Communist forces made another attempt to storm the city, temporarily occupying part of it, but were repelled.
• 13 March 1948 — During a decisive assault, the city was finally taken under control by the People's Liberation Army of China.
• 1949 — After the establishment of the PRC, active restoration and industrial development of Siping began as an important industrial centre of Northeast China.

Main Stages of Siping's Development

The development of Siping from a small railway station to a modern industrial city was rapid and defined by its strategic position. Key milestones reflect its transformation into an important economic and transport centre of Northeast China.

• Late 19th – Early 20th Century: Railway Birth. The founding of the railway station in 1898 as part of the CER construction was the starting point for the city's development. With the official launch of traffic in 1903 and subsequent expansion of the network (1923, 1939), Siping quickly turned into a key transport hub and regional commercial centre.
• 1930s – 1940s: Beginning of Industrialisation. During this period, the foundations of the city's industry were laid. Enterprises for processing agricultural products appeared — oil mills, flour mills, and breweries. During the Second World War, a synthetic fuel plant was built, marking a transition to more complex manufacturing.
• After 1949: Post-War Recovery and Planned Industrialisation. After significant destruction during the Civil War, the city was quickly restored and designated as a secondary industrial centre. New engineering plants producing agricultural machinery were created, and the petrochemical industry was restored.
• Second Half of the 20th Century: Strengthening the "Granary" Status. Thanks to its location on the fertile Songliao Plain, the city strengthened its reputation as one of the "three main granaries of the Northeast". Siping became known as the "capital of high-quality maize" in China, which stimulated the development of the food industry.
• Late 20th – Early 21st Century: Economic Diversification. Alongside traditional industries, the city's economy diversified. Key sectors became pharmaceuticals, the chemical industry, and the production of electrical and thermal energy. The private sector began to play a significant role in the economy.
• Modern Stage: Development of Logistics and Cultural Tourism. Siping continues to function as an important logistics hub connecting Jilin and Liaoning provinces and the Inner Mongolia region. In recent years, the city has been actively developing the "night economy" and cultural tourism, emphasising its historical heritage, including the Memorial of the Battle of Siping and Manchu culture.

The architectural appearance of Siping is a visible chronicle of its turbulent 20th-century history. The city, which grew from a railway station, cannot boast ancient dynastic buildings like many other Chinese cities, but its buildings tell the story of Russian, Japanese, and Soviet influence, as well as rapid modern urbanisation.

Late 19th – Early 20th Century: Railway Heritage

Modern urban planning in Siping began with the laying of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER) in 1898. The first permanent structures were related to railway infrastructure: the station, the depot, and residential houses for employees. These buildings were characterised by a utilitarian style with elements of Russian architecture of that time. Red brick was often used, and the layout of the streets was subordinate to the location of the railway station and tracks. This period laid the foundation for the city's layout, dividing it into station and residential areas.

1930s – 1945: Architecture of Manchukuo

During the period when the city became the capital of the province of the same name within Manchukuo, its architectural appearance underwent significant changes. Japanese architects realised their urban planning ambitions here, erecting administrative and public buildings. Among them were hospitals, schools, and government institutions. This period was characterised by the so-called "Manchurian style" — an eclectic combination of Japanese traditionalism (for example, characteristic curved roofs) and Western architectural trends such as modernism and Art Deco. These buildings, distinguished by monumentality and symmetry, were intended to symbolise the power and modernity of the new authority. Some of these structures, such as the former meteorological station building, have survived to this day.

Mid-20th Century: Post-War Recovery and Soviet Influence

After fierce fighting during the Civil War, the city was heavily destroyed and was restored as part of the PRC. In the 1950s–1970s, Siping's architecture developed under the strong influence of Soviet functionalism. The main focus was on the rapid construction of industrial enterprises and residential quarters for workers. During this period, the city's appearance was augmented by standardised residential buildings, austere administrative buildings, and wide avenues. A striking symbol of the era became the Memorial of the Battle of Siping — a monumental complex reflecting the heroic spirit of that time.

Late 20th – Early 21st Century: Modern Development

Like most Chinese cities, Siping has experienced a construction boom in recent decades. The architecture of this period is characterised by the International Style: high-rise residential complexes, modern shopping and entertainment centres, and office buildings made of glass and concrete. The city is actively developing, with new parks, public spaces, and modern transport infrastructure appearing, which completely changes its historically established appearance, making it resemble other dynamically growing metropolises in China.

Distinguished Figures Associated with Siping

The history of Siping and its surroundings is connected with the names of several significant figures in Chinese history — from empresses of the Qing Dynasty to heroes of modern astronautics. Many of them belong to the Manchu Yehe Nara clan, whose homeland is located within the territory of the modern urban district.

• Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908) — One of the most influential figures in the late history of the Qing Dynasty. Although she was born in Beijing, her ancestors originate from the Manchu Yehe Nara clan, whose ancestral lands are located in modern Lishu County, within the territory of Siping.
• Empress Dowager Longyu (1868–1913) — The last empress of the Qing Dynasty and Cixi's niece. She also hailed from the Yehe Nara clan and played a key role in the transfer of power by signing the abdication act of Emperor Puyi in 1912.
• Nalan Xingde (1655–1685) — An outstanding poet of the early Qing Dynasty, known for his refined lyrics. He was a member of the Yehe Nara clan, which links his cultural heritage to the lands of Siping.
• Du Yuming (1904–1981) — A general of the Kuomintang army and one of the key commanders during the Chinese Civil War. He commanded nationalist forces in the famous "Defence of Siping" in 1946, where he achieved a temporary victory over communist troops.
• Lin Feng (1906–1977) — A prominent figure in the Communist Party of China. During the Civil War, he was the political commissar of the Northeast Democratic United Army and took a direct part in campaigns for control over Siping.
• Huang Kecheng (1902–1986) — A senior general of the People's Liberation Army of China. He was one of the commanders of the CCP forces during the battles for Siping in 1946–1947, playing an important role in the city's military history.
• Zhang Xiaoguang (born 1966) — A Chinese astronaut (taikonaut). His ancestral roots are in Lishu County, which is part of the Siping urban district. In 2013, he undertook a space flight on the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft, becoming one of the national heroes of modern China.