Rising from the valley floor, Bohai Town stands as a testament to time. Let’s uncover the layers of history of Bohai.
Bohai Town sits in southwestern Huairou District, Beijing. It is nestled inside a valley. Bohai borders Sihai Town to its north. Yanqi and Huairou Towns lie to its east. Qiaozi Town is to its south. Jiuduhe Town sits to its southwest.
The town’s story began in 1998 with its official creation. But its roots go much deeper. The name “Bohai” echoes the settlers from Balhae during the Tang dynasty.
Imagine life in Bohai Town. Picture 12,702 residents calling this place home in 2020. The town covers 152.3 square kilometers. The elevation reaches 187 meters. The landscape shapes daily life.
Think of the administrative divisions. As of 2021, Bohai Town includes 21 villages. Each village has its own story. Bohaisuo and Jingyu represent these communities. Longquanzhuang and Baimu add to the tapestry. Shayu and Nanzhi offer unique identities. Dongtai and Tiekuangyu contribute to the town’s character. Dazhenyu and Zhuanghu further enrich the area. Sancha and Xinglongcheng complete the divisions. Liuduhe and Siduhe are also part of it. Sanduhe and Madaoyu add local flavor. Weidian and Xinying add to this rich history. Beigou, Tianxianyu and Mutianyu round out the town.
Bohai’s story is intertwined with the Bohai Sea. The Bohai Sea is a gulf on China’s east coast. It connects to the Yellow Sea via the Bohai Strait. The sea covers approximately 77,000 square kilometers. Its average depth is about 18 meters.
The sea has three major bays. Laizhou Bay is to the south. Bohai Bay is to the west. Liaodong Bay is to the north. Many rivers drain into the Bohai Sea. They include the Yellow River and the Hai River.
The Bohai Sea’s history stretches back to the Pleistocene. Sea levels rose and fell dramatically. This shaped the coastline we see today. Until the early 20th century, it was called the Gulf of Zhili.
Today, the Bohai Sea is one of the busiest seaways in the world. Its proximity to Beijing and Tianjin drives this activity. The entrance to the Bohai Sea is part of China’s territorial waters. China declared the Bohai Sea as its inland waters in 1958.
The town of Bohai and the Bohai Sea share a name. They reflect a shared history and geography. Both contribute to the rich tapestry of China. As we conclude our visit to Bohai, remember its history. Remember its connection to the sea. Bohai is a small town with a big story.