Xinhui

The history of Xinhui, which today is a district of Jiangmen City, is rooted in deep antiquity and spans nearly two millennia. This area has long played a vital role in the development of the Pearl River Delta region.

Foundation and Early Mentions

The settlement's administrative history began during the Three Kingdoms period. In 222 AD, Pingyi County was established here. The city received its modern name—which can be translated as "new gathering" or "new meeting"—much later, in 590 AD, during the Sui Dynasty. Since then, Xinhui has grown into an important administrative and cultural center of Southern China.

Key Factors of Development

The city's development was predestined by a successful combination of natural and geographical conditions:

• Geographical Location: Xinhui is situated at the confluence of the Tanjian and Xijiang rivers, making it a natural transport hub connecting the province's inland areas with the sea.
• Fertile Lands: Located on an alluvial plain, the region possesses rich soils ideally suited for intensive agriculture.
• Strategic Importance: The city served as a "southern gateway" for trade and migration, contributing to the rapid growth of its influence.

Early Cultural and Economic Characteristics

Even in its early stages, Xinhui stood out for its developed economy. The foundation of local prosperity was agriculture and fishing. The region was famous for the production of palm fans and incense.

A special place in the city's history is held by its citrus cultivation culture. It was here that the tradition of producing chenpi (dried tangerine peel) originated. Over time, it became not just a gastronomic brand but also a major export commodity, bringing fame to Xinhui far beyond the borders of Guangdong Province.

Historical Milestones

• 222: During the Three Kingdoms period, Pingyi County was officially established, serving as the predecessor to the modern administrative district.
• 590: During the Sui Dynasty, the county received its current name, Xinhui.
• 1279: A major naval battle took place in Yamen Bay, marking the final conflict in the fall of the Southern Song Dynasty.
• 1370: At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, construction of stone city walls began to protect the thriving commercial center.
• 1609: A famous pagoda was erected on Lingshan Mountain, becoming a symbol of the region's spiritual culture.
• 1873: Liang Qichao, who would later become a great Chinese scholar and reformer, was born in the local village of Chakan.
• 1913: The Sun Ning Railway passed through the county; it was the first railway in China built entirely with private funds from overseas Chinese (Huaqiao).
• 1958: Premier Zhou Enlai visited Xinhui on an inspection tour, noting the region's successes in agriculture.
• 1992: Due to rapid economic growth, Xinhui was granted the status of a county-level city.
• 2002: The city was administratively integrated into the Jiangmen metropolitan area and transformed into Xinhui District.
• 2020: The major Jiangmen Railway Station opened within the district, becoming an essential transportation hub for Guangdong Province.

Key Stages of the City's Transformation

The history of Xinhui's development is a journey from a traditional county center to a modern industrial hub in the Pearl River Delta. Several turning points have defined the district's current appearance and status:

• The Era of Maritime Trade and Ceramics (Tang – Song Dynasties).
  During this period, Xinhui established itself as an important port. The development of pottery production and access to the sea facilitated trade links, laying the economic foundation for the region's future prosperity as a commercial hub.
• The Formation of Unique Crafts (Ming and Qing Dynasties).
  It was during this time that the region's specialization in the production of chenpi (dried tangerine peel) and palm leaf products was solidified. These goods became the city's "calling card," forming a stable local economy oriented toward export to other provinces and Southeast Asian countries.
• Becoming the "Ancestral Home of Overseas Chinese" (19th – Early 20th Century).
  Mass migration abroad led to the formation of a powerful diaspora. The return of capital from emigrants radically changed the city's appearance: schools, hospitals, and unique buildings blending Western and Chinese architecture were constructed. This made Xinhui one of China's most globally connected regions.
• Infrastructure Breakthrough (Early 20th Century).
  The construction of the Sun Ning Railway, funded by overseas compatriots, became a symbol of modernization. Although the railway was later dismantled, the project demonstrated the region's ability to implement major private infrastructure initiatives and accelerated urbanization.
• Industrialization and City Status (1992).
  The transformation of the county into a county-level city marked the transition from an agrarian to an industrial economy. This period saw the foundations laid for the production of household appliances, paper manufacturing, and food processing, attracting significant investment.
• Administrative Integration (2002).
  Xinhui's incorporation into Jiangmen City as a district allowed for the synchronization of urban planning with the metropolitan center. This spurred urban expansion, improved municipal infrastructure, and created a unified economic space.
• Transportation Revolution (2020s).
  The opening of Jiangmen Railway Station turned the district into a key transportation hub in the western Pearl River Delta. Connection to the high-speed rail network radically improved logistics, making Xinhui an attractive destination for business and tourism within the Greater Bay Area development strategy.

Architectural Eclecticism and Urban Planning

The architectural landscape of Xinhui is unique in its vivid demonstration of the fusion between traditional Chinese culture and Western influences brought back by overseas Chinese (Huaqiao). The district's urban fabric is clearly divided into an historical core with narrow lanes and new, spacious areas of modern development.

The Ming and Qing Eras: Traditional Lingnan Style

During this period, architecture followed strict Feng Shui canons and imperial standards, adapted to the humid subtropical climate of the south.

• Style: Classical Chinese architecture (Lingnan school).
• Key Features: Use of green bricks, elaborate wood and stone carvings, curved roofs, and the famous "wok-ear" gables (designed for protection against fire and wind).
• Iconic Landmark: Xinhui Confucian Temple (Xinhui Xuegong). Built during the Northern Song Dynasty and expanded during the Ming and Qing, it is a masterpiece of palace-style architecture with its monumental gates and pavilions covered in yellow and green glazed tiles.

The Early 20th Century: The Republic of China Era and Western Influence

The city's most recognizable historical layer was formed in the 1920s and 1930s. Returning overseas Chinese invested heavily in real estate, introducing European construction techniques (reinforced concrete) and decorative elements.

• Style: Eclecticism, Colonial style, Art Deco.
• Key Features: The dominance of qilou buildings (arcade houses). The ground floors serve as covered walkways for pedestrians and commerce, providing shelter from the sun and rain, while the upper floors are residential. Facades are decorated with stucco, balustrades, and Roman columns.
• Iconic Districts: Historical commercial streets in the old town center, where entire blocks of arcade houses have been preserved, recreating the atmosphere of a bustling trading port from the last century.

Late 20th — Early 21st Century: Modernism and Urbanization

The contemporary stage of development is characterized by the city's expansion to the south and the creation of new administrative and residential clusters. Urban planning has shifted toward large-scale forms.

• Style: International style, Postmodernism, High-tech.
• Key Features: High-rise construction, extensive use of glass and steel, wide avenues, and landscaped parks. The focus has shifted toward functionality and transport accessibility.
• Iconic Landmark: The area around Jiangmen Railway Station. This is an example of modern Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), where the futuristic architecture of the transport hub sets the tone for the surrounding business and residential projects.

Notable Figures of Xinhui

Xinhui has given China many talented individuals whose influence reached far beyond the region. Great thinkers, reformers, and masters of the arts were born here. The concept of the "ancestral homeland" is of particular importance in Chinese culture, so many celebrities born in Hong Kong or abroad remain inextricably linked to this land through their roots.

Philosophy, Science, and Politics

• Chen Xianzhang (1428–1500)
  Philosopher, Calligrapher, Poet
  Better known as Master Baisha. He is a key figure in Ming Dynasty Confucianism and the founder of the Baisha school of philosophy. Chen Xianzhang is revered as the "first sage south of the Meiling Range." He also invented a unique style of calligraphy using a reed brush, which is still highly valued by collectors today.
• Liang Qichao (1873–1929)
  Politician, Philosopher, Historian, Journalist
  A native of Chakan Village in Xinhui. Liang Qichao was a leader of the reform movement at the end of the Qing Dynasty and one of the most influential figures in China's 20th-century intellectual history. His ideas laid the groundwork for Chinese modernization and constitutionalism.
• Chen Yuan (1880–1971)
  Historian, Educator
  A distinguished scholar and long-time president of Beijing Normal University. Along with Chen Yinke, he is considered one of the two greatest Chinese historians of his time. He made enormous contributions to the study of the history of religions and ethnic groups in China.

Culture, Art, and Sports

• Chan Heung (1806–1875)
  Martial Arts Master
  The founder of the world-famous kung fu style Choy Li Fut. By combining techniques from Northern and Southern Wushu schools, he created an effective combat system. Today, thousands of followers of this style visit Xinhui to honor the patriarch's memory at his ancestral temple.
• Lai Man-Wai (Li Minwei) (1893–1953)
  Filmmaker, Director
  Considered the "Father of Hong Kong Cinema." Although born in Japan, his roots trace back to Xinhui. Lai Man-Wai was a pioneer of the Chinese film industry, directing the first-ever Hong Kong feature film, "Zhuangzi Tests His Wife" (1913).
• Liang Sicheng (1901–1972)
  Architect, Architectural Historian
  The son of Liang Qichao. He is known as the "Father of Modern Chinese Architecture." He was the first to systematically study and document ancient monuments of Chinese architecture, saving them from oblivion. He also participated in the design of the National Emblem of the PRC and the Monument to the People's Heroes in Beijing.
• Andy Lau (Liu Dehua) (born 1961)
  Actor, Singer, Producer
  One of Asia's most famous entertainers and one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Cantopop. Although Andy Lau was born in Hong Kong, his ancestral home is in Xinhui, and he maintains active ties with his ancestral land, engaging in charitable work within the region.