190 million years ago Shuikoushan was underwater. It was part of an ancient sea. The Earth’s crust shifted. The seabed rose. Shuikoushan became dry land. Shuikoushan’s story is written in stone. It’s a tale of ancient seas and rising mountains. Evidence of prehistoric life remains. The Zengpiyan Cave holds relics. These artifacts reveal early inhabitants. They fished hunted and gathered food. Life was abundant then. The Matriarchal Clan Society thrived here 10000 years ago. You can explore these remnants in Guilin’s Zengpiyan Site Museum.
Shuikoushan’s history stretches back centuries. It was part of Yue State during the Xia Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Later it belonged to Chu State. Then came the Qin Dynasty. The first emperor unified China. He established the Guilin Shire in 214 BC. This marks the first mention of Guilin’s name. The Lingqu Canal was built. This connected the Central Plains with the Lingnan Region. Guilin became a vital transportation hub. The canal is a marvel of engineering. It’s considered one of China’s three great engineering feats. It stretches for 66 kilometers. It links the Yangtze and Pearl River systems. Shi Lu was the mastermind behind its construction. UNESCO has added it to its World Heritage Sites Tentative List.
In 111 BC during the Han Dynasty Shi’an County was founded. This is considered the beginning of Guilin city. Shuikoushan became an important strategic location. It was ruled by the Shu and Wu States during the Three Kingdoms period. During the Southern and Northern Dynasties the city was renamed Guizhou. Guilin gained prominence during the Tang Dynasty. General Li Jing built city walls and grand halls. The Ancient South Gate stands as a testament to that era. It’s a remnant of the old city walls. A thousand-year-old banyan tree shades the gate.
The Song Dynasty saw Guilin as the capital of Guangnan xilu. This province included modern Guangxi and Hainan. Many rock inscriptions and steles survive from that time. The Museum of Guihai Stele Forest houses over 210 cliff carvings. These date from the Tang to the Minguo Dynasties. Song Dynasty carvings are significant in Chinese calligraphy. The museum showcases rubbings and ancient sculptures. Shuikoushan’s story is etched into these stones. They are a window into the city’s past. The Flower Bridge and Ancient Wall are other Song Dynasty relics.
The Ming Dynasty saw a nephew of the emperor govern Guilin. He became the Prince of Jingjiang. He built Jingjiang Palace. This palace stands at the foot of Solitary Beauty Peak. It’s older than Beijing’s Imperial Palace. Fourteen kings from twelve generations resided there. The Jingjiang King Tombs Complex is nearby. Eleven princes and over 300 others are buried there. These tombs are well-preserved historical sites.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties Guilin flourished. It was the capital of Guangxi. People settled by the Li River. Time-honored towns remain. These boast traditional architecture and cobblestone streets. Shuikoushan’s legacy is woven into the fabric of these ancient settlements. They represent centuries of history. Each building tells its own story. Each stone carries a memory.
The 20th century brought war and change. Shuikoushan saw the Flying Tigers in action during World War II. The Yangtang Airfield played a crucial role. It was expanded to include repair facilities and runways. American pilots fought here against Japanese forces. The airfield and General Chennault’s command cave remain. They are powerful reminders of a pivotal moment in history. Shuikoushan’s place in this narrative is significant. It witnessed bravery and sacrifice. Today Shuikoushan is part of modern Guilin. It stands as a bridge between the past and the present. A reminder that history lives on.