Consider Yangzhen, a town whose very name echoes with the stories of influential families. This area in Beijing, China, wasn’t always called Yangzhen. Once, it was known as Mazhuang.
Yangzhen owes its current name to the Yang family. Their growing influence during the reign of the Wanli Emperor led to the town’s renaming. Imagine the power a family must wield to have a town named after them.
Yangzhen is located within the Shunyi District. It shares borders with several other towns. Mulin and Longwantun Towns lie to its north. Zhang Town is to its east. Dasungezhuang and Beiwu Towns are to its south. Beisui and Nancai Towns are to its west and Beixiaoying Town to its northwest. It is a central location.
In 2020, Yangzhen had a population of 64578. That’s a density of 670 people per square kilometer. Yangzhen covers an area of 96.16 square kilometers. It sits at an elevation of 38 meters.
Yangzhen has undergone several administrative changes over the years. From 1949 to 1958, it was the 2nd District of Shunyi County. Between 1958 and 1983, it was part of Yanggezhuang People’s Commune. In 1983, it became Yanggezhuang Township. Later, from 1990 to 1998, it was Yanggezhuang Town. Xiaodian Township incorporated it in 1994. Shaling Township followed in 1997. Since 2000, it has been known as Yangzhen Area or Yangzhen Town.
Today, Yangzhen comprises 45 subdivisions. There are four communities and 41 villages. These divisions reflect the area’s complex social structure.
Getting to Yangzhen is relatively easy. A bus ride from downtown Beijing’s Dongzhimen long-distance bus terminal takes about an hour. Imagine traveling through the Chinese landscape to reach this historic town.
While here, envision the fields of tulips at Beijing International Flower Port. Picture the scenery around Huanghua Lake north of Hongsi Village. Think about the wetlands. Yangzhen is more than just a name. It is a vibrant area with a rich past and a promising future.