How about stepping into a place where history whispers from ancient canals? That place is Tongzhou District. I will share stories of its past and present. Tongzhou District is more than just a location. It is Beijing’s eastern gateway.
Today we explore Tongzhou. It sits at the junction of the Tonghui Canal and the Northern Canal. It marks the eastern end of Chang’an Avenue. Tongzhou’s story stretches back to 195 BC. It was then founded as Lu County during the Western Han dynasty. The name changed slightly at the start of the Eastern Han dynasty.
Imagine the bustling waterways of old. In 1151, the Jin dynasty renamed it Tongzhou. This means the place for passing through. The name recognized its vital role as the approach to Beijing. It was accessible by both land and water.
Let’s turn to a dramatic moment in history. July 1937 brought the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Tongzhou became a site of Chinese resistance. Troops of the East Hebei Army rebelled. They aided Kuomintang troops. They bravely attacked the Japanese garrison.
Afterward, Tongzhou became Tong County in 1914. It was placed under Beijing. In 1997, it regained the name Tongzhou. It was upgraded to a district.
Fast forward to July 11, 2015. Tongzhou took on a new role. It became Beijing’s second administrative seat. Numerous government departments will move here. This will reduce crowding in Beijing’s center.
In 2017, Tongzhou’s regional GDP reached 75.8 billion yuan. The GDP per capita was 50.3 thousand yuan.
Tongzhou borders several districts and regions. These include Shunyi, Chaoyang, Daxing, Wuqing District of Tianjin, and Langfang City of Hebei province. It lies 12 miles from Tiananmen Square. It is also 10 miles from Beijing Capital International Airport.
The district features a humid continental climate. Expect hot summers and freezing winters. Dust storms occur. The average annual temperature is 13.2 degrees Celsius. Rainfall averages 536.6 mm annually. Several large rivers flow through the district. The Wenyu, Liangshui and Chaobai are among them.
Tongzhou is divided into several subdistricts and towns. These include Zhongcang Subdistrict, Xinhua Subdistrict, and Lucheng town. New subdistricts were added in May 2020.
Getting around Tongzhou is easy. The Jingtong Expressway connects it to Beijing. Several metro lines also serve the area. Beijing’s Fifth and Sixth Ring Roads are nearby.
Tongzhou boasts seven industrial zones. These focus on manufacturing and high-tech industries. Downtown Tongzhou is being redeveloped. It will become a central business district.
Agriculture in Tongzhou focuses on horticulture and fruit-farming. The district promotes its Grand Canal location to attract tourists. The Grand Canal Cultural Park is a key attraction.
Don’t miss the Songzhuang artists’ village. Many Chinese contemporary artists live and work here. The Universal Beijing Resort opened in Tongzhou on September 20, 2021.
The Canal Business District is under construction. It will house headquarters of government-owned enterprises. It aims to develop industrial clusters. These will focus on headquarters economy and wealth management.
Tongzhou has numerous educational facilities. These include kindergartens, primary schools, and high schools. It is also home to the Beijing Materials Institute and other colleges.
As we conclude our visit, remember Tongzhou’s layers. It is an ancient gateway. It is a modern hub. It is a blend of history and progress that defines this district.