“Assistant minister’s dwelling.” Does that sound like a train station to you? Maybe not but the name Langfang, where we find Langfangxi, actually means just that.
Langfangxi is more than just a stop on a railway. Langfang itself is a fascinating city. It sits almost perfectly between Beijing and Tianjin.
Langfang wasn’t always a city. In fact, it was upgraded to a prefecture-level city in 1988. Before that, it was known as Tianjin Prefecture. That was until Tianjin became its own municipality.
Now, Langfang is the smallest prefecture-level city in Hebei Province by land area. But it plays a big role in the region. It even has an exclave known as the “Northern Three Counties of Langfang City.”
Imagine standing here in Langfangxi in the heart of a place with such a rich history. Langfang has seen battles and uprisings. European forces faced defeat here during the Boxer Movement in 1900. Chinese forces emerged victorious. Later, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Jidong People’s Anti-Japanese Armed Uprising swept through this area. It was a significant act of resistance.
Langfang’s economy thrives on computers, technology, and manufacturing. The city houses an Export Processing Zone. There’s also Oriental University City. This 4 billion yuan investment hosts around 50,000 students.
Two major national oil and gas companies call Langfang home. They are the China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau and the ENN Group.
Langfang has focused on digital industrialization. It emphasizes industrial digitization, digital governance, and data value.
Getting here is easy. Part of the Beijing Daxing International Airport is in Langfang’s Guangyang District. The Langfang Railway Station sits on Jiefang Road. It is a key point on the Beijing-Shanghai Railway.
Langfang offers a glimpse into China’s past and present. From its history as a battleground to its modern economic focus, it’s a city of contrasts. As we stand here at Langfangxi, we’re connected to that story. A story of resilience and progress.