Thirty-one thousand two hundred and eighty-eight souls. That’s how many people called Sunhe home in 2020. Imagine that many stories woven into the fabric of this single township.
Sunhe. A name that whispers of sun-drenched rivers and a history stretching back centuries. It wasn’t always Sunhe though. This area northwest of Chaoyang District was once known as Sunduitun. But in 1808 a change occurred. The name shifted to Sunhecun meaning Sun River Village. This simple name change marked a turning point in the area’s identity. It eventually became the name for the entire township.
Sunhe’s story is one of administrative shifts and evolving boundaries. It’s been part of Daxing County in Hebei Province. It was later incorporated into Changping County of Hebei and even Beijing’s 13th District. Through the years Sunhe was divided among people’s communes. Finally in 1984 Sunhe officially became a township. In 2004 the township expanded absorbing Huanggang Township into its fold.
Sunhe today is a vibrant mix of communities and villages. In 2021 it comprised 6 communities and 13 villages. Each with its unique history and character. Each contributing to the rich tapestry that defines Sunhe.
Picture the bustling activity. The daily life of Kangying Jiayuanyi and Kangying Jiayuan’er. These communities are just two of many in Sunhe.Each holding its own stories. Think of the farmers tilling their land. The families gathering for meals. The children playing in the streets. The quiet evenings filled with conversations and laughter.
From its humble beginnings as Sunduitun to its present form Sunhe reflects Beijing’s own growth and transformation. It is a living testament to the passage of time. A place where history and modernity intertwine. A place where thirty-one thousand two hundred and eighty-eight stories coexist. A place called Sunhe.