Establishment of Tianjin

　　The name of Tianjin, meaning “the emperor’s ferry”, first appeared in the Ming Dynasty.

　　The official name of the Tianjin area, San Hui Hai Kou (literally “estuary of three rivers”), first appeared in historical records in the Tang Dynasty.

　　Adjacent to the sea and rivers, Tianjin enjoys great geographical advantages. After the opening of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), Tianjin became an important node between the canal and the sea, hence a hub of waterway transportation. Therefore, Tianjin has played a significant role in the economic exchanges and development between the North and South of China.

　　After the middle period of the Tang Dynasty (618- 907), Tianjin became a hub for the transportation of grain and silk from the south to the north. The establishment of Zhiguzhai in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) and Haijin Town in the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) demonstrates both Tianjin’s military significance and its role as a transportation center of grain.

　　In 1400, Zhu Di led his army southward across the river through what’s Tianjin today and seized power in 1403, when the reign was changed to Yongle. In 1405 and 1406, two garrisons (wei) were deployed on the left and right of Tianjin, respectively. In 1652, the garrisons and the town were merged into one, collectively known as “Tianjin Wei”. Founded in 1404, Tianjin now boasts a history of 612 years.