Tianjin History & Culture

Tianjin's rise stemmed from its ancient canal transportation. After the mid-Tang Dynasty, it became a land and water port for transporting grain and silk from the south to the north. During the Jin Dynasty, Zhigu Fort was established at the Sanchakou estuary, where the North-South Grand Canal and the Haihe River meet. This marked Tianjin's earliest settlement. During the Yuan Dynasty, Haijin Town was established, a key military town and a center for grain transportation. In 1404, the second year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, Tianjin City was officially established. On March 7, the third year of the Yongzheng reign, Tianjin Wei was promoted to Tianjin Prefecture, under the jurisdiction of Hejian Prefecture. In the ninth year of the Yongzheng reign, Tianjin Prefecture was promoted to Tianjin Prefecture, governing six counties and one prefecture. After 1912, Tianjin Prefecture was abolished. It is the only city in ancient China with a confirmed founding date.