“Sweet Osmanthus Forest” is what Guilin means. It is a fitting name given the fragrant trees here. Today, let’s uncover the story of Miaotou.
Miaotou is a town with a story that stretches back millennia. Imagine this area long, long ago. About 190 million years ago, the land beneath our feet was underwater. It was part of an ancient sea. Earth’s movement caused the sea floor to rise. Dry land emerged where we now stand in Miaotou.
The Qin Dynasty left its mark. Around 214 BC, the Guilin Shire was established. This marks the first appearance of the name Guilin. The Lingqu Canal’s construction boosted Miaotou’s importance. Miaotou became a gateway between Central Plains and Lingnan Region. This area includes today’s Guangdong, Guangxi, and parts of Hunan and Jiangxi.
The Lingqu Canal was an engineering marvel. It was considered one of China’s three greatest feats alongside the Great Wall and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Shi Lu designed this canal, stretching 66 kilometers. It linked the Yangtze and Pearl River systems.
Around 111 BC, the Han Dynasty established Shi’an County. This can be seen as the start of the city. Miaotou’s story continued through dynasties.
Miaotou played a role during the war. The Flying Tigers were stationed at Guilin’s Yangtang Airfield. This was during World War II. The airfield was expanded to support the Sino-US efforts against Japan. The airfield included repair facilities and a hospital. Caves served as air-raid shelters. You can still see this history today. Stand where General Chennault once stood. Picture the Flying Tigers battling the Japanese in the sky.
In 1973, US President Richard Nixon visited Guilin. He was amazed by its beauty. He stated that no city surpassed Guilin’s beauty. Guilin, he said, was a bright pearl of China. Later, Secretary of State Herry Kissinger echoed these sentiments. He saw Guilin’s landscapes as portraits of realism.
Even in recent times, the past resurfaces. In 1996, farmers found a Flying Tigers aircraft crash site. It was located on Mao’er Mountain in Xing’an County. The discovery led to the recovery of dog tags and wreckage. This connects Miaotou to a global story of war and cooperation.
Miaotou is part of Guilin. Guilin is twinned with several international cities. These include Kumamoto City in Japan and Orlando in the United States. This shows Guilin’s global connections. Guilin is also linked with Hastings, New Zealand. This relationship started due to shared interests like horticulture.
Today, Guilin is a major tourist destination. It is known for its karst topography. The phrase “By water, by mountains, most lovely, Guilin” captures its essence. The city was designated a National Famous Historical and Cultural City.
Remember Miaotou as a place shaped by water. It is a place shaped by mountains, canals, and the echoes of history. From ancient seas to modern times, its story continues to unfold.