Taizhou history

The history of Taizhou is the tale of an ancient region that has played a vital role in the cultural and political life of coastal China for millennia. The city has evolved from early settlements into a significant administrative and spiritual centre, whilst preserving a rich heritage.

Foundation and First Mentions

Although the first settlements in the territory of modern-day Taizhou appeared around 5,000 years ago, the earliest administrative references date back to the Han Dynasty. In 85 BC, Huipu County (回浦县) was established here. However, the official name Taizhou (台州) was bestowed upon this area in 622 AD during the Tang Dynasty. The region received its name in honour of Mount Tiantai, located within its territory.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of the city was driven by several key factors:

• Geography: Its location on the coast of the East China Sea and in the Yangtze River Delta facilitated the development of trade and navigation. To protect against floods and enemies, the construction of the Taizhou City Wall, also known as the "Great Wall of the South", began as early as the 4th century.
• Political Power: Starting from the 3rd century AD, when the Linhai Commandery was formed, these lands became an important administrative hub. For centuries, the city of Linhai remained the capital of the Taizhou Prefecture, reinforcing its status.
• Trade: Historic commercial streets, such as Ziyang, bear witness to the flourishing commercial activity in the ancient city.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Taizhou holds immense significance in the spiritual history of China. It was here that two important religious and philosophical movements originated. The city is considered the cradle of the Tiantai Buddhist school, one of the most influential in Chinese Buddhism, founded in the 6th century. Furthermore, Taizhou is the birthplace of the Southern School of Taoism, whose founder, Zhang Boduan, was a native of these lands. These spiritual traditions have shaped the unique cultural identity of the region, which it retains to this day.

Chronology of Taizhou's History

• 85 BC (Han Dynasty): Huipu County is established in this territory, marking the first administrative mention of the region in history.
• 257 AD (Three Kingdoms Period): Linhai Commandery is formed, laying the foundation for the future administrative centre of the region.
• 4th Century (Jin Dynasty): Construction begins on the city wall in Linhai, known today as the "Great Wall of Southern China".
• 597 AD (Sui Dynasty): The monk Zhiyi (538–597), founder of the influential Tiantai school of Buddhism named after the mountain in Taizhou, passes away.
• 598 AD (Sui Dynasty): Guoqing Temple is founded, becoming the cradle and main centre of the Tiantai Buddhist school.
• 622 AD (Tang Dynasty): The area officially receives the name Taizhou (台州) for the first time, in honour of Mount Tiantai.
• 984–1082 (Song Dynasty): The life and work of Zhang Boduan, a native of Taizhou and founder of the Southern School of Taoism.
• 1148–1209 (Southern Song Dynasty): Jigong, one of the most revered folk Buddhist monks in Chinese history, is born and lives in Taizhou.
• 1277 (Yuan Dynasty): Following the Mongol conquest, the administrative status changes, and the area is reorganised into the Taizhou Region.
• 1368 (Ming Dynasty): With the establishment of a new dynasty, the region is reorganised once again, this time into the Taizhou Prefecture (台州府).
• 1912 (Republic of China): During administrative reform following the Xinhai Revolution, the Taizhou Prefecture ceases to exist.
• 1970s: The city becomes one of the pioneers of economic reform in China, actively developing private enterprise.
• 1994: The State Council of the PRC officially establishes Taizhou as a prefecture-level city in its modern form.
• 2009: Construction of the Ningbo–Taizhou–Wenzhou high-speed railway is completed, transforming the city into a vital transport hub.

Major Milestones in the City's Development

The evolution of Taizhou is a journey from a remote coastal settlement to one of the economic drivers of Eastern China. Several key stages can be highlighted that radically changed the status, appearance, and significance of the city.

• Formation of an Administrative Centre (3rd–4th Centuries).
  The establishment of the Linhai Commandery during the Three Kingdoms period and the commencement of the city wall construction cemented the region's status as an important political and military hub. This transformed the territory from scattered settlements into an organised administrative unit capable of managing vast lands and protecting them from floods.
• Spiritual Flourishing (6th–7th Centuries).
  The founding of the Tiantai school and the naming of the region as Taizhou (after the mountain) made the city one of the major religious centres of Asia. This attracted pilgrims, monks, and scholars, forming a unique cultural code that still distinguishes the city from neighbouring industrial metropolises.
• Era of Maritime Defence and Trade (Ming Dynasty).
  The fight against pirates led by General Qi Jiguang and the strengthening of the "Great Wall of the South" were crucial for the city's survival. Victory over the maritime threat allowed trade to stabilise and the population to be preserved, turning the city into an impregnable fortress on the coast.
• Birth of the "Taizhou Model" (1980s).
  At the beginning of the Reform and Opening-up policy in China, Taizhou became a pioneer of private enterprise. A unique joint-stock cooperative economic system emerged here. This led to the rapid growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, making the city a major centre for the production of home appliances, auto parts, and plastics.
• Urbanisation and Unification (1994).
  The official transformation of Taizhou into a prefecture-level city marked a turning point in urban planning. The administrative centre shifted from historic Linhai to the Jiaojiang District, launching large-scale modern construction, uniting scattered districts with a single infrastructure, and giving the city access to the sea.
• Infrastructure Breakthrough (21st Century).
  The opening of the bridge across Taizhou Bay and the launch of high-speed railways finally brought the city out of transport isolation. Integration into the Yangtze River Delta economic cluster (just a few hours from Shanghai and Hangzhou) opened new opportunities for logistics and tourism.

The architectural appearance of Taizhou presents a striking contrast between centuries-old heritage and rapid modernity. Urban development here has gone hand in hand with key historical eras, each leaving its mark in stone, wood, and glass.

Traditional Architecture: From Defence to Spirituality

The historical core of Taizhou, especially in the old city area of Linhai, has preserved outstanding examples of traditional Chinese architecture. These structures reflect not only the aesthetics of past dynasties but also the practical needs of that time.

• Defensive Architecture (Jin, Tang, Ming Dynasties): The most significant monument of this era is the Taizhou City Wall, also known as the "Great Wall of Southern China". Its construction began in the 4th century, and it was extended and strengthened over centuries. Originally created for protection against floods and enemy raids, today it stands as a majestic structure approximately 5 kilometres long, with massive gates and watchtowers, demonstrating the power and engineering prowess of ancient China.
• Religious Architecture (Sui Dynasty and later): Guoqing Temple, founded in 598, is the cradle of the Tiantai Buddhist school and one of China's most important temple complexes. Its architecture is a classic example of harmony with nature. The complex consists of numerous pavilions, halls, and pagodas built of wood and stone, elegantly integrated into the landscape at the foot of Mount Tiantai. The ancient brick pagoda within its grounds is considered one of the oldest in the country.
• Residential and Commercial Development (Ming and Qing Dynasties): Old Ziyang Street in Linhai is a living museum of traditional urban life. Its appearance is formed by two-storey houses with wooden facades, where the ground floors were historically occupied by shops and workshops, and the upper floors by living quarters. The stone-paved streets and preserved buildings demonstrate the architectural style and lifestyle of a prosperous trading city of the past.

Modern Urban Planning and Architecture (Late 20th – 21st Century)

With the onset of economic reforms, Taizhou transformed into one of China's most dynamically developing industrial centres, which radically changed its urban landscape. This era is characterised by large-scale construction and the emergence of bold architectural forms.

• Postmodernism and Parametric Architecture: Modern Taizhou is a city of high-rise buildings, wide avenues, and futuristic structures. Iconic objects are appearing here, such as business centres and museums with original facades inspired by natural forms, for example, the outlines of mountains. An example is the Taizhou Contemporary Art Museum, opened in the renovated building of a former grain factory and distinguished by its monolithic concrete walls.
• Infrastructure Projects: The city's development is reflected in grandiose engineering structures. The construction of high-speed railway lines, modern stations, multi-level interchanges, and giant bridges has become a symbol of the new era. These objects not only perform a utilitarian function but are also important elements of the modern architectural landscape.
• New Public Spaces: Active urban planning includes the creation of large parks, embankments, and entertainment complexes, such as the Taizhou Ocean World aquarium, the building of which has the striking shape of a cyclone. This testifies to the desire to create a comfortable and multifunctional urban environment for millions of residents.

Notable Figures in the History of Taizhou

For centuries, the city of Taizhou and its surroundings have been the birthplace and centre of activity for many prominent figures who left a deep mark on the history, culture, and economy of China. From founders of spiritual teachings to pioneers of modern industry, these personalities have shaped the unique character of the region.

Zhiyi (智顗, 538–597)

• Role: Buddhist mentor, factual founder of the Tiantai school of Buddhism.
• Significance: Although Zhiyi was not born in Taizhou, he settled in the Tiantai Mountains (Tiantaishan), after which he named his school. It was here that he systematised the doctrine, writing his major works. The Tiantai school became one of the most influential in Chinese Buddhism, and its centre, Guoqing Temple in Taizhou, became a place of pilgrimage. His mummified body is still preserved in one of the temples on Mount Tiantai.

Zhang Boduan (张伯端, 984–1082)

• Role: Scholar, physician, founder of the Southern School of Taoism.
• Significance: A native of Taizhou, Zhang Boduan was an outstanding polymath of the Northern Song era. He is the author of the famous treatise "Wuzhen pian" ("Folios on Awakening to Reality"), one of the key texts on "internal alchemy". His teachings laid the foundation for the southern branch of the Quanzhen school and had a huge influence on the development of Taoist thought.

Jigong (济公, 1130/1148–1209)

• Role: Buddhist monk, folk hero.
• Significance: Jigong, whose real name was Li Xiuyuan, was born in Tiantai County. He became famous for his eccentric behaviour and violation of monastic rules (for instance, he consumed meat and wine), yet he possessed a kind heart and helped common people, earning him the nickname "Living Buddha Jigong". His image has become an integral part of Chinese folklore, with numerous legends and films dedicated to him.

Qi Jiguang (戚继光, 1528–1588)

• Role: Ming Dynasty military commander, national hero.
• Significance: Although Qi Jiguang was not a native of Taizhou, his name is inextricably linked to this region. In the 16th century, he led the coastal defence against Japanese pirates (Wokou). In 1561, his reorganised "Qi Army" won a decisive victory over the pirates in the Battle of Taizhou, which brought him fame throughout China. He also strengthened the city wall in Linhai, turning it into a powerful defensive structure.

Fang Xiaoru (方孝孺, 1357–1402)

• Role: Confucian scholar and statesman.
• Significance: A native of the lands belonging to the Taizhou Prefecture, Fang Xiaoru was a prominent scholar-official at the court of the Jianwen Emperor. When the usurper Zhu Di (the Yongle Emperor) seized power, Fang Xiaoru refused to write an inaugural address for him, displaying unwavering loyalty. For this, he was subjected to the most brutal execution of "ten degrees of kinship", where not only his relatives but also his students were killed. In Chinese history, he remains a symbol of unbending honesty and devotion to duty.

Li Shufu (李书福, born 1963)

• Role: Entrepreneur, founder and chairman of Geely Holding Group.
• Significance: Li Shufu is a native of Taizhou and one of the key figures in modern Chinese business. He founded his company in 1986, starting with the production of refrigerator parts, and turned it into one of the largest car manufacturers in the world. Under his leadership, Geely acquired the Swedish company Volvo Cars. Li Shufu is a living embodiment of the "Taizhou Model" — economic success based on private enterprise.