Qinghe

Gazing upon the Chengdu Plain, can you sense the echoes of ancient ingenuity? This is the periphery of Qinghe, once a township, now absorbed into the vibrant tapestry of Xinglong Town. Qinghe and its surrounding area are inextricably linked to the lifeblood of Chengdu, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Constructed in the 3rd century BCE, this marvel of engineering harnessed the might of the Min River. The system transformed the Chengdu Plain into a fertile breadbasket. It nurtured a dense agrarian population, a testament to the enduring legacy of ancient innovation. Qinghe, a name meaning “clear river,” likely owes its moniker to the network of channels. These channels, part of the Dujiangyan system, brought life-giving water to the land. Qinghe witnessed the rise of Chengdu from a Qin dynasty county to the capital of the Shu kingdom. It experienced the prosperity of the Tang and Song dynasties when Chengdu flourished as a commercial and cultural hub. Qinghe likely saw the introduction of paper money. This innovation, originating in Chengdu during the Song dynasty, revolutionized trade across China. In the modern era, Qinghe observed the rapid growth of Chengdu. It transformed into a major industrial center, a transportation hub, and a vibrant metropolis. The earthquake of 2008, a tragic moment in Chengdu’s history, undoubtedly left its mark on Qinghe as well. But, like the resilient city it borders, Qinghe persevered. Though Qinghe no longer exists as a separate entity, its essence remains interwoven with the fabric of Chengdu. It is a silent witness to centuries of progress, a quiet testament to the enduring power of human ingenuity and the life-giving force of water.