“Front Hill.” That’s the literal meaning of Qianshan. This area holds a fascinating history as both a military outpost and a modern manufacturing hub.
Once upon a time, Qianshan oversaw Portuguese-administered Macao. It was the Chinese settlement closest to the peninsula’s northern border. In 1621, it became a military outpost. By 1640, Qianshan housed a 500-man garrison.
In 1731, Qianshan became the seat of the subprefect. He was tasked with managing the foreign settlement and overseeing trade with Guangzhou. He controlled permits for ship pilots sailing north. These pilots navigated the Humen to the Huangpu Anchorage. The subprefect ensured foreign ships carried cargo other than silver. He sometimes quarantined Macao to protect Chinese rituals.
Lin Zexu and Deng Tingzhen visited Qianshan in 1839. They were on their way to meet Portuguese authorities in Macao.
In the late 1800s, disaster struck. A typhoon devastated Qianshan in 1874. Around 4,000 people died in Macao, Wanzai, and Qianshan. Local hospitals and the government had to bury or cremate countless bodies. Typhoons continued to batter the area.
The Qianshan River was dredged in the late 19th century. This created a safer shipping channel for local communities.
Deng Xiaoping’s Opening Up Policy changed Qianshan. It gained town status in 1987. As the Pearl River Delta grew, Qianshan was reorganized. In 2001, it became a subdistrict of Zhuhai’s Xiangzhou District. Qianshan Port closed in the 2000s. The ticket hall became a warehouse. The waterfront was redeveloped into a public park.
Today, Qianshan is known for manufacturing. Household appliances are a specialty. Air conditioners and printing supplies are also important products.
Meixi Village in Qianshan is home to the Meixi Royal Stone Archways. Emperor Guangxu ordered these granite archways built. They honored Chen Fang, China’s first consul to Hawaii. He was also a prominent philanthropist.
The Agricultural Paradise is another Qianshan landmark. It is an agricultural tourism park. Here, you can find research into organic olecranon peaches. These are also called “eagle-beak peaches”.
Since 2010, the Qianshan Waterfront has been a large community park.
Qianshan’s economy has evolved over time. It once refined salt from the Qianshan River. This was under the Jindou Bay Saltworks. Today, companies in Qianshan benefit from special government policies.
Gree Electric Appliances is based in Qianshan. It is the world’s largest residential air-conditioner manufacturer. Apex Technology is also based here. It is a major producer of integrated circuit chips and printing supplies.
Qianshan has a unique cultural tradition. The Phoenix-Rooster Dance is a local art form. Performers wear bird costumes and mimic emotions and activities. This tradition dates back to the late Ming Dynasty.
Each year, the Agricultural Paradise hosts a Pumpkin Art Festival. It awards prizes for the biggest and most unusual pumpkins.
Qianshan railway station connects residents to Guangzhou. It opened in 2012. From military outpost to manufacturing center, Qianshan has a rich story. It continues to evolve.