Doesn’t the name Wanggao just roll off the tongue? This town in Guilin has a story that stretches back millennia. It’s a place where ancient history dances with modern life. Wanggao, like much of Guilin, has roots that reach back to the Baiyue people.
In 214 BC during the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Qinshihuang ordered the construction of the Lingqu Canal. This made Wanggao part of an important southern route. It connected the sea to the north and the Central Plains.
The name “Guilin” itself comes from the abundance of cinnamon in the area. It was called “玉桂” in Chinese. Guilin and Wanggao are closely linked. They share a history shaped by dynasties and cultural shifts.
Fast forward to 111 BC. Shi’an county was established in the Guilin area. This marked the beginning of the city as we know it. Wanggao was part of this evolving region.
Over the centuries, Guilin became an important center. It grew in political and cultural influence. Wanggao, as part of Guilin, shared in this development. It was under the administration of Guilin Prefecture during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Guilin was the capital of Guangxi Province for a time during the Republic of China. Wanggao felt the ripples of these changes. It was eventually upgraded to Guilin city in 1940.
Liberation came to Guilin on November 22, 1949. It came under the direct administration of Guangxi Province. Wanggao became part of the Guilin city of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1958.
Guilin integrated with the Guilin area in 1998. This formed a new Guilin city. Wanggao became part of this larger administrative region.
Today Wanggao stands as a testament to Guilin’s enduring spirit. It’s a place where the echoes of the past resonate. They blend seamlessly with the aspirations of the present. So next time you hear the name Wanggao remember its place in Guilin’s long and fascinating story.