Daxing

Daxing District. A place whispered to be the “South Gate” of Beijing. It sits just 13 kilometers from the city center, a close neighbor to the vibrant heart of the capital. Daxing wasn’t always a district. It began as Daxing County, established an astonishing 2,400 years ago during the Qin Dynasty. This makes it one of China’s oldest counties. The name “Daxing” itself has a story. It’s believed to have been bestowed by Wanyan Liang, the Prince of Hailing, during the Jin Dynasty. The name signifies a vast and prosperous territory, reflecting the Jin Emperor’s ambitions to conquer the lower reaches of the Yellow River. Daxing’s history is deeply intertwined with the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. It once encompassed a much larger area than it does today, including parts of present-day Changping, Shunyi, and Chaoyang districts. This vast jurisdiction earned it the title of the “first county in China.” Within Daxing lies the former imperial garden of Nanhaizi, a “green gem” nourished by the Yongding River. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Nanhaizi’s autumn scenery, known as “Nanyou Qiufeng”, was celebrated as one of the “Ten Scenes in Beijing.” It was here that Emperors Shunzhi and Qianlong welcomed Tibetan Buddhist monks. Daxing has long been known as Beijing’s “fruit and vegetable garden.” It’s famous for its watermelons, along with a bounty of peaches, pears, plums, apricots, and jujubes. The Yongding River and its tributaries have blessed Daxing with rich groundwater resources, nurturing the growth of diverse crops. During the Ming Dynasty’s Yongle period, immigrants from Shanxi cultivated fruits and vegetables for the imperial court. The northern part of Daxing and central Fengtai supplied the royal family, cementing Daxing’s reputation as a vital agricultural center. During the Qing Dynasty, Daxing’s produce became tribute items, with the Xihongmen radish gaining particular renown. In 1958, Daxing County transitioned from Hebei Province to become part of Beijing. In 2001, it underwent another transformation, officially becoming Daxing District. This transition marked its role as the “South Gate” of the capital. The construction of the Beijing Daxing International Airport further solidified this role, establishing Daxing as a major international hub and a driving force for the region’s development.