“Opening prosperity.” What a fitting name for Qilong Township. This township holds a unique place in the Shanghai area. Qilong’s story is about land emerging from the Yangtze River. It is a story of resourceful people and a changing landscape.
Qilong Township is part of Qidong in Jiangsu province. But its location is a bit unusual. It sits within Shanghai’s Chongming County. Imagine a small piece of one area nestled inside another. That is Qilong.
Once, Qilong was an island named Yonglongsha. This island was in the Yangtze River delta. Over time, the river deposited sediment. People also worked to reclaim land. By 1972, Yonglongsha had joined Chongming Island. Now, Qilong is connected by land.
The name Qilong comes from its history. It combines parts of Qidong and Yonglongsha. “Qi” from Qidong and “long” from Yonglongsha. Together, they form Qilong. The name means “opening prosperity”. This hints at the area’s growth and development.
In 1968, Jiangsu province stepped in to resolve conflicting claims to the island by the counties of Haimen and Qidong. Nantong prefecture divided the island between them. Qidong’s area was organized as a farmstead.
Before the Chongqi Bridge opened in 2011, travel was different. People used ferries to reach Qilong. Ferries connected to Haimen’s Lingdian Harbor and Qidong’s Sanhe Harbor. In 1992, Qilong became a township. Roads then connected it to Chongming.
Qilong has plans for agricultural parks. These include a rare flower park. There will also be a ginkgo park, a pear orchard, an orangery and a nursery forest. These parks would add beauty and nature to the area.
Oddly enough, Qilong gained some fame in 2014. Satellite images showed a farm field shaped like a taijitu. This yin-yang symbol was created in a field.
Like Chongming Island, Qilong farms hairy crab. They also grow edamame for export. These beans go to Japan and South Korea. Malting barley is grown for use within China. Since 2003, dairy farms have become more common in Qilong. They supply milk to Shanghai companies. There were even plans for a Thai-themed amusement park.
Administratively, Qilong is part of Qidong. Qidong is a city within Nantong. Qilong itself is divided into Yonglong and Xinglong communities.
So, Qilong Township is more than just a place. It is a story of land creation. It is a tale of agriculture and development. It is a unique corner of the Shanghai region with “opening prosperity”.