Zalantun history

The city of Zalantun, located in the northeast of Inner Mongolia in China, possesses a rich history closely tied to the administrative transformations of the region and its strategic position.

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city begins in the 17th century, during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Initially, the settlement was named Butha (布特哈) and was founded in 1691 as an administrative centre. Its main task was the governance of local peoples—the Daurs, Oroqens, and Evenkis—whom the Qing government organised into military-administrative units following the Manchu model.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of Zalantun was driven by several important factors:

• Geographical Location: The city is situated at the southeastern foothills of the Greater Khingan Range, in an area rich in forests and rivers. This predetermined its economic specialisation based on timber harvesting and agriculture.
• Political Role: From the moment of its founding, Butha functioned as an important administrative centre, retaining its status throughout the changing eras and governments of the 20th century.
• Transport Accessibility: A pivotal moment in the city's development was the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER) in the early 20th century. This mainline connected the region with Harbin and the Russian Far East, stimulating trade and economic growth.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Initially, the regional economy was based on traditional activities for this area: hunting, fishing, livestock breeding (raising cattle, sheep, and horses), and agriculture, particularly the cultivation of wheat and soybeans. Throughout its history, the city changed its name several times: in 1929 it became Yalu County, in 1933 the Butha-Qi Banner, and finally, in 1984, it was transformed into the county-level city of Zalantun. These changes reflect the complex political history of Northeast China in the 20th century.

Key Dates in the History of Zalantun

• 1691 — Foundation of the settlement of Butha (布特哈) during the Qing Dynasty as a military-administrative centre for governing local peoples.
• 1901–1903 — Construction and opening of traffic on the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER), on which Zalantun became one of the important stations, providing a powerful impetus to the region's development.
• 1929 — During the Republic of China period, the settlement receives county status and a new name — Yalu (雅鲁).
• 1933 — After the formation of Manchukuo, the county is transformed into the Butha-Qi Banner (布特哈旗).
• 1945 — At the end of World War II, the territory comes under the control of the Republic of China, and the railway comes under joint Soviet-Chinese management.
• 1947 — During the Chinese Civil War, the region comes under the administration of communist forces and becomes part of the newly formed Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
• 1952 — The Soviet Union transfers all rights to the Chinese Changchun Railway (formerly the CER) to the People's Republic of China free of charge.
• 1984 — The settlement officially receives its modern name — Zalantun (扎兰屯) — and the status of a county-level city.

Stages of Zalantun's Development

The history of Zalantun is a journey from a military-administrative post to a modern city playing a notable role in the region's economy and culture. Key transformations were closely linked to transport construction, administrative reforms, and changes in the economic model.

• Foundation as an Administrative Centre (1691): The city was founded under the name Butha as a strategic point for governing local peoples during the Qing Dynasty. This laid the foundation for its future role as a regional hub.
• Construction of the CER (Early 20th Century): The laying of the Chinese Eastern Railway became the main catalyst for economic growth. Zalantun turned into an important transport hub, which facilitated the development of logging, agriculture, and trade.
• Development of Industry and Agriculture: Thanks to the railway, the region began to be actively developed. Timber enterprises appeared, and the fertile lands around the city began to be used for growing soybeans and wheat, which strengthened its economic base.
• Administrative Transformations (1920–1980s): In the 20th century, the city repeatedly changed its status and name (Yalu, Butha-Qi), reflecting the complex political processes in Northeast China. These changes concluded in 1984 when it received the modern name Zalantun and the status of a county-level city.
• Post-War Recovery and Transfer of the CER to China (1945–1953): After World War II, the railway passed into joint Soviet-Chinese management, and in 1953 it was transferred free of charge to the PRC. This event definitively integrated the transport artery into China's national economy.
• Development of Tourism (Late 20th – Early 21st Century): Thanks to the picturesque landscapes of the Greater Khingan mountains and unique cultural heritage, Zalantun began to develop as a tourism centre. Parks and recreation zones appeared in the city and its surroundings, attracting travellers.
• Modernisation within National Policy (21st Century): In line with China's general economic development strategy aimed at increasing prosperity and modernising infrastructure, Zalantun continues to develop. The main focus is on improving the urban environment, supporting agriculture and the timber industry, as well as enhancing tourism appeal.

The architectural appearance of Zalantun was formed under the influence of two key periods: the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER) in the early 20th century and modern urban planning. Unlike ancient cities in China, there are no classical architectural eras here, such as Gothic or Renaissance; its development began significantly later.

Heritage of the Chinese Eastern Railway (Early 20th Century)

The urban development of Zalantun is inextricably linked to the emergence of the CER, the construction of which was carried out by the Russian Empire from 1897 to 1903. The city became one of the key stations and a place of rest for railway workers. This determined its main architectural style of that time — the Russian (or Slavic) style, characteristic of buildings along the mainline. Typical features of these buildings include:

• Materials: A combination of brick and wood.
• Roofing: Corrugated iron was often used; roofs had a gable or hipped shape.
• Décor: Richly decorated walls, cornices, and window frames (architraves), and wood carving.

Many of these structures have been preserved and are today an important part of the city's cultural heritage. Iconic buildings of this era include:

• Zalantun Historical Museum Building: Built in 1903, it originally served as a club for Russian CER employees, and during the Manchukuo period, as a hotel. Its architecture is a vivid example of the Slavic style.
• CER Museum Building: Also located in a former railway club, this structure features a peaked roof and an appearance characteristic of that time.
• Other Structures: Former staff dormitories, a locomotive depot, and a school built in a unified architectural key have also been preserved.

Modern Development (Second Half of the 20th – 21st Century)

After the formation of the PRC and especially in recent decades, active modern construction began in Zalantun, characteristic of most Chinese cities. New residential neighbourhoods, public, and commercial buildings appeared in functional and modernist styles. However, a unique feature of the modern urban planning approach in Zalantun has been a careful attitude towards historical heritage.

Instead of demolishing old buildings, city authorities chose the path of restoration and adaptation for new needs. Many buildings from the CER era were turned into museums, exhibition halls, and cultural centres, which allowed the unique historical look of the city's central districts to be preserved and made it attractive to tourists. Thus, the modern architecture of Zalantun harmoniously coexists with well-preserved heritage from the early 20th century.

The history of Zalantun and its cultural heritage are closely connected with the names of both local figures and outstanding personalities of national scale who were inspired by the beauty of this land.

Distinguished Personalities Associated with the City

• Qi San (奇三) — A Daur official who lived in the 18th century during the Qing Dynasty. He held the position of deputy chief of the Butha region (the historical name of Zalantun) and went down in history as a fighter against corruption. Displaying great courage, he exposed the abuses of high-ranking officials, including the Governor-General of Heilongjiang, making him an iconic figure in local history.
• Eerdeng (额尔登), also known as Jin Yaozhou (金耀洲) — A political figure of the 20th century. In 1933, he became the first head of the Butha-Qi Banner (an administrative unit), the administrative centre of which was located in Zalantun. His activities took place during a complex period of administrative transformations in the region.
• Ye Jianying (叶剑英) — A Marshal and one of the most influential political leaders of 20th-century China. Upon visiting Zalantun, he was charmed by its landscapes and wrote a famous poem praising the city's beauty: "Zalantun stands by the Yalu River, where clear streams embrace villages by the water...".
• Lao She (老舍) — An outstanding Chinese writer and dramatist of the 20th century. He was one of many cultural figures to visit Zalantun. Impressed by the picturesque nature, he left behind works in which he described the beauty of this land, contributing to its fame as the "Northern Suzhou and Hangzhou".
• Ye Shengtao (叶圣陶) — A renowned Chinese writer, educator, and publisher. Like Lao She, he visited Zalantun and was captivated by its nature, which was reflected in his work and helped strengthen the city's reputation as an important tourist destination.
• Dong Liansheng (董联声) — A modern historian, writer, and photographer born in 1949. He dedicated his life to studying and preserving the history of Zalantun and the region, publishing more than 40 books on local history and culture. His works are a valuable source of knowledge about the city's past and present.
• Maria Suo (玛利亚·索) — A representative of the Evenki people, known as the "last woman chief in China". Although she lived in neighbouring Genhe, her life, dedicated to preserving reindeer herding culture, symbolises the heritage of the indigenous peoples for whom Zalantun historically served as an administrative centre.