Imagine stepping back in time to 1593. Kangzhuang wasn’t always the town it is today. It began as a settlement. Its name origin is quite simple.
Kangzhuang means Kang’s Villa. This name came about because Kang was the most common surname here.
Today we are in Kangzhuang. It is a town within Beijing’s Yanqing District. Kangzhuang shares borders with several other towns. Zhangshanying and Yanqing Towns are to the north. Dayushu Town lies to the east. Badaling Town is to the southeast. Donghuayuan and Xiaonanxinbao Towns are to the southwest. Some land even stretches north of the Guishui River.
Kangzhuang sits on the Yanhuai Basin’s eastern side. It rests on the Guishui River’s southern bank. The Beijing–Baotou railway cuts through Kangzhuang. The Kangzhuang-Yanqing Railway also passes through.
Over the years, Kangzhuang has seen many changes. Between 1940 and 1945, it was the 8th District of Changyan United County. This was part of Chahar. From 1945 to 1948, Kangzhuang became a special district. It fell under the Jinchaji Border District. Between 1948 and 1949, it was part of Yanqing County, Chahar. From 1949 to 1952, Kangzhuang was its own district. Between 1952 and 1956, it was part of Yanqing County, Hebei. In 1956 to 1958, Kangzhuang was simply Kangzhuang Town. From 1958 to 1961, it was the Kangzhuang Production Team. It operated under the Yanqing People’s Commune in Yanqing County, Beijing. Between 1961 and 1983, it was known as the Kangzhuang People’s Commune. From 1983 to 1990, Kangzhuang was a township. From 1990 to 2015, it was Kangzhuang Town once more. Since 2015, it has been part of the Yanqing District, Beijing.
In 2020, a census counted 32,815 people living in Kangzhuang. The town covers an area of 94.41 square kilometers. That is about 36.45 square miles. The elevation here is 507 meters. That is 1,663 feet.
As of 2021, Kangzhuang is divided into 34 subdivisions. There are 3 communities. There are also 31 villages.
Kangzhuang may seem like any other town. But its long history and location make it special. Take a moment to appreciate Kangzhuang’s story. It has grown from a small settlement. It became the town we see today.