Perhaps you have heard of Sun Yat-sen. Chung Chi Shan is linked to his legacy. Sun Yat-sen is known in China as Sun Zhongshan. This mountain shares a name with him. It offers a peek into the history of this region.
Until 1925 Zhongshan was known as Xiangshan or Heung-san. Xiangshan means Fragrant Mountain. The name came from the many flowers that grew nearby. Sun Yat-sen adopted the name Zhongshan. He is considered the Father of Modern China.
Chung Chi Shan is part of Zhongshan. Zhongshan is a city in Guangdong province. It sits on the Pearl River Delta. The city was renamed to honor Sun Yat-sen. He was born in a village now part of Zhongshan.
Let’s journey back in time. Thousands of years ago much of Zhongshan was underwater. Only scattered islands rose above the surface. Silt gradually filled the area. It became dry land. This process continued until the Ming dynasty.
During the Tang dynasty the area was part of Dongguan County. Salt production was significant. In 1082 a fortified settlement called Xiangshan appeared. This was the first official use of the name. In 1152 Xiangshan became a county. Descendants of Song court officials settled here. This happened after the Southern Song dynasty fell.
Much of the First Opium War occurred in Xiangshan. Lin Zexu expelled British traders in 1839. Qing soldiers resisted British attacks in 1840. But they were overwhelmed.
After the Opium Wars residents left to study overseas. Sun Zhongshan was one of these people. These residents helped create modern China. Xiangshan was one of the first counties liberated. This happened as part of the Xinhai Revolution. The commander-in-chief renamed the county Zhongshan. This was to honor Sun Zhongshan after his death.
From 1942 units attacked Japanese forces. These units were Nationalist and Communist. On August 15 1945 Japanese forces surrendered. Zhongshan was liberated.
Zhongshan saw fighting during the Chinese Civil War. The Nationalists held it for much of the war. The People’s Liberation Army defeated them on October 30 1949. The county then came under the People’s Republic of China.
In 1983 Zhongshan became a county-level city. It was under the administration of Foshan. By 1988 Zhongshan achieved prefecture-level city status.
Zhongshan’s geography features plains and hills. The Wugui Hills are notable. The highest point is 531 metres above sea level.
The area has numerous leafy parks. Wide boulevards mark the cityscape. Monuments dot the landscape. Sunwen Road West features restored colonial buildings. The Fufeng Pagoda built in 1608 is visible throughout the city. Sunwen Memorial Park has a large bronze sculpture of Sun Yat-sen.
The city is divided into districts and towns. It has an uncommon administrative structure. It lacks county-level divisions.
Multiple dialects are spoken here. These include Yue Hakka and Min dialects. Cantonese is the most common language.
Zhongshan’s economy relies on agriculture and manufacturing. It is known as one of the Four Little Tigers in Guangdong. Proximity to Hong Kong and Macau helps its manufacturing sector. Xiaolan Town is famous for chrysanthemum horticulture.
Specialized manufacturing towns thrive here. Dachong Town makes mahogany furniture. Guzhen Town specializes in lighting fixtures. Shaxi Town is known for casual wear.
Chung Chi Shan stands as a reminder of history. It is connected to Sun Yat-sen. It reflects Zhongshan’s evolution. From ancient settlements to modern industry this area has played a role in China’s story.