Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Non-Fiction 2017 | Page 34

An Exploration: Old City of Shanghai, Walls, and its Early History
Ying Wa Primary School, Lam, Hei Shun - 12
P
eople might consider the Old city of Shanghai as the Chinese city or area inside the ancient walled city of Shanghai
or traditional urban core of Shanghai. No matter what the Old City of Shanghai was called, it was still the most
amazing area of Shanghai, even of China undoubtedly. This city is one of the most picturesque and charming areas of
Shanghai, with many houses and architectures in traditional Chinese style and also tourist attractions. Actually, in 1986, it
was approved by the State Council as one of the second 38 famous historical and cultural cities in China. It was the
Chinese authority in Shanghai, and it has its own distinct character although with the advent of foreign concessions.
Administratively the old city is part of Huangpu District, as it was located near the Huangpu River, known as the mother
river of Shanghai.
Its boundary was formerly defined by a defensive wall. The city began as a walled medieval town at least 1000 years ago.
The walls are built mainly to protect areas of the city of old Shanghai (no walls at the time) against Japanese pirates, ringed
the city around areas which is Remin and Zhonghua Roads today. The walls have been demolished because the wall
crashed the rapid urban development, but many locals still refer to localities by the names of the city gates - some of the
names have even become modern metro stops — Laoximen (old West gate) on lines 8 and 10, and Xiaonanmen (little South
gate) on line 9.
Do you know this fascinating city had a long and amazing history? During the Warring States Period (475 -221BC)
which was much earlier than the Qin dynasty, first dynasty of China, Huang Xie, known as Lord Chunshen of the Chu
state, organized people to excavate the Huangpu River. Therefore the Huangpu River has a nickname of 'Chunshen
River' and Shanghai has sometimes been referred to as 'Shen' ever since. Fishermen living in this area at that time created
a fishing tool called Hu, so it has the other nickname of 'Hu'.
During the Qin Dynasty (221 - 206BC) the city was not even a town. People used boats in the former Mao Lake and the
rivers of today's Songjiang District to trade and do business. From the Han Dynasty (206BC- 220AD) on the industries of
coin-casting, metal-smelting and salt-production grew dynamically and rapidly in the area and the economical
connection was strengthened between this area and the hinterland gradually. Prosperity continued into the Jin Dynasty
(265 - 420). In the Sui (581 - 618) and the Tang (618 - 907) Dynasties, it enjoyed rather fast progress, as great
importance was attached to the economic development of southern China. The area became an important bread basket,
thanks to proper reclamation of arable land. After this area gathered a larger population by degrees and it had more
economical and cultural exchange with places at home and abroad.
The beautiful and unique city continues its history until now, and, of course it never ends. What have you learnt from
this passage? Don’t be blocked by your own wall of the Old city of Shanghai. Think about it and explore the Old city of
Shanghai in your imagination.