I've been to Xiangyang, a city with a rich history and culture, but it's often overlooked and forgotten. Xiangyang, the strategic base of the Three Kingdoms struggle for hegemony in the past, is known as "China's first city", but now, this land is difficult to keep up with the pace of the times, just like the thick ancient city wall, silently carrying the vicissitudes of history. The stories of the years inside and outside the city walls are like the brilliant beads of history, shining with a unique charm. Let's take a look at this ancient and beautiful city that has persevered through the passage of time - Xiangyang.
Xiangyang has a long history, dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty, and was also the base of the Deng regime before being annexed by the Chu state. After the Qin Dynasty unified the world, Nanjun was established and became the political center of Chu. During the Han Dynasty, Xiangyang was an important town in the Han River valley, and Liu Xiu once rose up against Wang Mang and later became Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Xiangyang became the focus of the Three Kingdoms struggle for hegemony, and Guan Yu flooded the Seventh Army to create a legend. During the Three Kingdoms period, Xiangyang was the capital of Jingzhou, and outstanding figures such as Sima Hui, Xu Shu, Wang Cang, and Du Kui left outstanding achievements in Xiangyang.
During the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was an important defensive point in Hubei, and it was also a hub area for north-south transportation, and its economic and cultural development was quite prosperous. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, it was the front line of the Southern Song Dynasty to resist the attack of the Yuan army, and the Battle of Xiangfan was the longest battle in the world's military history, lasting 16 years, showing the perseverance of the people of Xiangyang. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was the main commercial center of Hubei and an important post station on the Wanli Tea Road, where tea, silk, porcelain and other commodities gathered, promoting the exchange of Chinese and foreign cultures. After modern times, it was the cradle of the revolution and the main battlefield of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and the people of Xiangyang made great sacrifices and contributions to national liberation and national reunification.
Xiangyang is an important part of Chinese culture, and it is also the source of Chu culture, Han culture, and Three Kingdoms culture. Xiangyang is a treasure trove of poetry, music and dance, theatre and folk art. Tang Dynasty poets Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi, Liu Yuxi, etc., have left masterpieces here, such as "Xia Riba People", "Yangchun White Snow", "Qu Gao and Widow" and so on have become famous stories through the ages. The ancient "Chu Song", "Chu Dance" and "Chu Tune" originated here, and "Chu Tune" is known as the "mother of Chinese music". Xiangyang Opera is the oldest local theatre in China and the ancestor of Peking Opera, known for its long history and rich performance forms. Xiangyang woodblock New Year paintings, paper-cutting, clay sculptures, etc. are national intangible cultural heritage, showing distinctive regional characteristics and ethnic customs.
Xiangyang is not only an important pillar of Hubei's economic development, but also the cornerstone of Xiangyang's modern metropolitan area. The automobile and parts manufacturing industry is booming, with well-known enterprises such as Dongfeng Motor, Dongfeng Honda, and Dongfeng Nissan, and the output and sales of automobiles are among the best in the country. With the rapid development of information technology, high-end projects such as Huawei's big data center, ZTE, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have settled one after another, the development of the digital economy is unstoppable, and a new generation of information technology industry clusters has taken shape. The strength of machinery manufacturing is strong, and industry leaders such as AVIC, CRRC Times, and CRRC Changqing have made major breakthroughs in aerospace, high-speed rail equipment and other fields, and the strength and influence of industrial clusters are increasing day by day.
Xiangyang, an ancient city with a history of more than 2,800 years, has countless stories and legends. Despite its troughs, it still holds on to its culture and industry, creating new glories and miracles. In the future, Xiangyang will be better, will radiate stronger charm and vitality, become an important part of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and let the world re-understand and appreciate this beautiful city - Xiangyang.