Tangshan history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city's formation is rooted in the Ming Dynasty era, when a small village called Qiaotun was located on the site of the modern metropolis. The residents of this settlement led a modest lifestyle, engaging in agriculture and artisanal pottery production. Tangshan received its current name thanks to Mount Dachengshan, which was anciently called Mount Tang. According to a popular legend, this name is connected to Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, who set up camp here during one of his military campaigns.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of the village into a major centre occurred in the second half of the 19th century and was driven by a combination of several crucial circumstances:

• Geological Resources: The main driver of development was the discovery of rich coal deposits in the Kaiping basin. This deposit proved strategically important for the empire's modernising economy.
• Political Will and Reforms: Within the framework of the "Self-Strengthening Movement" (a policy of modernising Qing China), the influential official Li Hongzhang initiated the introduction of Western industrial technologies. It was decided to establish an advanced coal industry right here.
• Transport Geography: The favourable location relative to the capital and the coast allowed for the rapid establishment of logistics chains, which subsequently led to the construction of railways.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Even at the early stages of development, Tangshan stood out with a unique combination of artisanal traditions and industrial innovations:

• Ceramic Heritage: Even before the coal boom, the region was famous for its potters. Local craftsmen produced high-quality ceramics, which laid the foundation for the city's future status as the "Northern Capital of Porcelain".
• Cradle of Industrialisation: From the end of the 19th century, the city became the birthplace of Chinese heavy industry. The first mechanised mine, the first standard-gauge railway, and the first cement plant were launched here, forming a distinct working-class lifestyle and technical culture among the population.

Key Milestones in Tangshan's History

The history of Tangshan is a journey from a small village to one of China's most important industrial centres, marked by both rapid development and tragic events.

• Ming Dynasty (1368–1644): During this period, a village existed on the site of the modern city, where residents engaged in small-scale coal mining and pottery production.
• 1877–1878: The "Kaiping Mining Company" was founded, providing a powerful impetus for the industrial development of coal deposits and the growth of the settlement.
• 1881: China's first standard-gauge railway line was built, connecting the mines to the canal, which revolutionised the country's transport system.
• 1882: The "Dragon" steam locomotive, the first in China, was created, assembled from parts of an old locomotive and a steam boiler.
• 28 January 1938: The settlement of Tangshan officially received city status, confirming its increased economic and administrative importance.
• 3 June 1959: The Central Committee of the CPC included Tangshan in the list of 45 cities open to the outside world, recognising its important role in the country's economy.
• 28 July 1976: The devastating Tangshan Earthquake occurred with a magnitude of about 7.8–8.2, which almost completely destroyed the city and claimed the lives of, according to official data, over 242,000 people. This event became one of the major catastrophes of the 20th century.
• 1979–1986: A period of large-scale restoration of the city. Tangshan was rebuilt taking into account modern seismic safety standards and regulations.
• 1983: Tangshan Prefecture was dissolved, and the prefecture-level cities of Tangshan and Qinhuangdao were established in their modern boundaries.
• Beginning of the 21st Century: Tangshan restores and strengthens its status as the "Northern Porcelain Capital" and one of the key centres of heavy industry and logistics in China.

The history of Tangshan is a vivid example of rapid industrialisation, tragic trials, and impressive rebirth. The city has journeyed from a small settlement to one of the key industrial and logistics centres of China, and its development is marked by several significant milestones.

The Cradle of Chinese Industry

In the late 19th century, with the founding of the "Kaiping Mining Company" (1877–1878), Tangshan became the starting point for the country's industrialisation. It was here that the first modern-type coal mine in China was built, the first standard-gauge railway line was laid (1881), and the first Chinese steam locomotive was created. These achievements cemented the city's status as the "cradle of modern Chinese industry".

Ceramic Capital of the North

Although pottery production had existed in the region for centuries, in the early 20th century Tangshan transformed into a major centre of the ceramic industry. The city became famous not only for traditional tableware but also as the place where sanitary ceramics were produced for the first time in China. Today, Tangshan is known as the "ceramic capital of Northern China", exporting a wide range of products — from sanitary ware to exquisite bone china.

Receiving City Status

Rapid growth driven by industrial development led to official recognition. On 28 January 1938, the workers' settlement of Tangshan received city status, which served as formal confirmation of its growing economic and social significance.

Devastating Earthquake and Rebirth

On 28 July 1976, the city experienced one of the worst catastrophes of the 20th century — the Great Tangshan Earthquake, which almost completely destroyed it. However, the consequence of this tragedy was a reconstruction unprecedented in scale. Within a few years, a practically new city was erected on the ruins with modern planning and earthquake-resistant buildings, becoming a symbol of national resilience and rebirth.

Centre of the Steel Industry

In the process of recovery and further development, Tangshan strengthened its position as one of the country's leading centres of ferrous metallurgy. The facilities of major steel corporations, such as HBIS Group and Shougang Group, are located here, producing a significant share of steel in China.

Construction of a World-Class Port

In the 21st century, a new milestone in the city's development was the creation of the Port of Tangshan. This artificial deep-water port quickly became one of the busiest in the world. Equipped with modern automated terminals, it is a key logistics hub connecting Northern China with more than 70 countries around the world and supporting its economic growth.

The architectural appearance of Tangshan is unique in that it was almost entirely defined by a single event — the devastating earthquake of 1976. This divided its urban planning history into "before" and "after", turning an old industrial city into a modern metropolis often referred to as the "Phoenix City".

Before the Earthquake: Industrial Heritage

Prior to the catastrophe, Tangshan's architecture was predominantly utilitarian, driven by its status as an industrial centre. Urban development consisted mainly of unreinforced brick buildings, including single-storey residential houses and multi-storey industrial and commercial structures. The primary reason for the colossal destruction during the earthquake was precisely the lack of seismic protection measures during construction. Practically nothing remains of the old city, and its appearance can only be imagined through historical photographs.

Rebirth: Functionalism and Seismic Safety (1970s – 1990s)

After the earthquake, Tangshan was rebuilt from scratch. The new master plan was based on the principles of functionalism and enhanced seismic safety. This period is characterised by:

• Layout: The city received wide avenues and a regular grid of streets, typical of urban planning of that time, which was necessary for rapid evacuation and transport movement.
• Architectural Styles: Typical apartment blocks made of reinforced concrete panels dominated. Aesthetics were secondary to the task of quickly providing millions of people with new, safe housing. The appearance of the buildings was simple and functional, without excess.
• Landmarks: The main symbol of this era became the Earthquake Memorial — a monumental complex that became the centre of the new city and its conceptual core.

Modern Stage: Ecology and New Aesthetics (21st Century)

With the beginning of the 21st century, Tangshan's architecture began a transition towards postmodernism and the creation of a more comfortable urban environment. Recreational zones are being created on the sites of former industrial zones and areas affected by land subsidence due to coal mining. A shining example of this approach is the Nanhu (South Lake) Eco-Park, referred to as the "green lungs" of Tangshan. Skyscrapers of glass and steel, modern shopping centres, and public spaces reflecting global architectural trends and the city's economic growth are appearing in modern developments.

The city of Tangshan and its surroundings have become the birthplace or ancestral home for many prominent figures of China. These individuals have left a significant mark on politics, literature, science, and art, bringing fame to their region throughout the country and beyond.

Distinguished personalities connected to Tangshan:

• Li Dazhao (1889–1927) — one of the founders of the Communist Party of China and a key intellectual of his time. Born in Laoting County, which is part of Tangshan. Li Dazhao was one of the first and most influential Chinese Marxists, a mentor to Mao Zedong, and a leader of the May Fourth Movement. He is considered one of the most important figures in modern Chinese history.
• Cao Xueqin (approx. 1715–1763) — a great Chinese writer, author of the classic novel "Dream of the Red Chamber", one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Although he was born in Nanjing, his ancestral home (祖籍) is in the Fengrun District of modern Tangshan, which holds immense cultural significance.
• Pei Wenzhong (1904–1982) — a distinguished paleontologist and archaeologist, the "father of Chinese paleoanthropology". Born in Fengnan County (now a district of Tangshan). He gained worldwide fame for the discovery in 1929 of the first skull of the Peking Man in Zhoukoudian, which became a crucial milestone in the study of human evolution.
• Jiang Wen (born 1963) — one of the most famous contemporary Chinese actors, film directors, and screenwriters. He was born directly in Tangshan. His directorial works, such as "In the Heat of the Sun" and "Devils on the Doorstep", have received acclaim at international film festivals, and as an actor, he is known for the films "Red Sorghum" and the Hollywood blockbuster "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story".
• Zhang Ailing / Eileen Chang (1920–1995) — one of the most influential Chinese female writers of the 20th century. Like Cao Xueqin, her ancestral roots originate from the Fengrun District in Tangshan, although she was born in Shanghai. Her works, dedicated to the life and customs of urban society, are considered classics of modern Chinese literature.
• Wang Qingren (1768–1831) — a distinguished physician and reformer of traditional Chinese medicine during the Qing Dynasty. He was a native of Tangshan. His work "Correction of Errors in Medical Works" (医林改错) was revolutionary for its time, as it was based on direct observations of human anatomy, which went against established canons, and made a huge contribution to the development of Chinese medicine.