“Upon-the-Sea”. Ever wondered how Shanghai got its unique name? Today we explore Huizhenwu. Shanghai is more than just a modern metropolis. It is a city steeped in history.
Huizhenwu stands as a testament to Shanghai’s rich cultural heritage. Shanghai was a small fishing town until 1842. The British turned it into a treaty port after the Opium Wars. This marked the beginning of Shanghai’s transformation into an international hub.
The name Shanghai means “Upon-the-Sea”. This name dates back to the 11th century during the Song Dynasty. At that time, there was a river confluence and a town with this name in the area.
Shanghai also has an older name Shen. This comes from Chunshen Jun a nobleman from the third-century B.C. state of Chu. Because of this, it is also called Shénchéng. You might see this name used by sports teams and newspapers in Shanghai. Some people call Shanghai the Pearl of the Orient or the Paris of the East.
In 1554, a city wall was built to protect the town from Japanese pirates. This wall was 10 meters high and 5 kilometers in circumference. In 1602, the City God Temple was erected. This was an honor usually reserved for cities not county towns like Shanghai. This likely reflected Shanghai’s growing economic importance.
Shanghai became a major sea port during the Qing Dynasty. This was thanks to Emperor Kangxi who reversed the ban on ocean-going vessels in 1684. Later, in 1732, Emperor Yongzheng moved the customs office to Shanghai. This gave the city exclusive control over customs collections for foreign trade in Jiangsu Province. By 1735, Shanghai became the major trade port for the lower Yangtze River region.
Shanghai drew international attention in the early 19th century. Its location near the mouth of the Yangtze River made it ideal for trade. During the First Opium War, the British bombarded the Chinese fort at Huangpu. The Treaty of Nanjing in 1842 allowed the British to establish treaty ports.
The British coerced China into making Shanghai a treaty port with a self-governing British district. Soon, Americans, French, and Russians followed. By the 1850s, Shanghai had 60,000 expatriates living in separate concessions. In 1863, the British and Americans merged their territories into the International Concession.
Today, Shanghai is known as the world’s largest city. It is a world finance and cultural center. Shanghai boasts a fantastic blend of history and modernity. As you explore Huizhenwu remember that you are walking through layers of history. You are experiencing the evolution of a small fishing town into a global powerhouse. Shanghai’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and cultural fusion. It is a city that continues to inspire and captivate.