Ding'an: History, Water Engineering and Cherry Tomatoes

Visitors to Ding'an will find a strong historical focus in Dingcheng: it is a nationally designated historic and cultural city. More than 700 years of cultural influence, diverse local culture and a rich revolutionary heritage give it considerable historical and cultural value. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can decide whether the stay should focus on the city's history, water engineering or agriculture.

The old town: history of the name and street layout

The old town of Ding'an in Dingcheng began to take shape in 1513 around the county government seat of the time. Four main streets form its layout: Dongmen Jie, Ximen Jie, Beimen Jie and Zhongnanmen Jie. Together, they create a character shaped like the Chinese character Guang. Dingcheng was previously called Dingyang. In 1370, the county government seat was moved here, after which the place was named Dingcheng. Two historical stages can therefore be distinguished: the relocation and subsequent naming, followed later by the development of the old town around the government seat. For history enthusiasts, the appeal lies in the interplay between the place name, administration and street layout. The two dates are 143 years apart.

A canal running through the whole town

The Longzhou Irrigation Canal offers a different perspective. Built by people, it runs from southwest to northeast and crosses all of Dingcheng. While four main streets define the old town's layout, the canal runs through the entire town. This contrast adds a landscape and agricultural perspective to the history of the town's development.

Cherry tomatoes as an agricultural theme

Cherry tomatoes are one of Dingcheng's ten agricultural brands; their availability may vary by season. In 2023, Tanli hosted the cherry tomato harvest festival and agritourism event “Meet in Ding'an in Spring, Enjoy the Sweet Fragrance of Cherry Tomatoes” (相约定安春天，品圣女果香甜). The brand and the festival represent two distinct connections: the produce as part of agriculture and a specific tourism event held in the past.

A taste of local food culture

A 2025 report describes how the couple Wu Zhiqiang prepare handmade rice noodles for noodle soup on Dongmen Street in the old town of Ding'an, using broth made from Ding'an black pigs and local selenium-rich rice. This specific combination of preparation method and ingredients adds a culinary perspective to the themes of the town and agriculture. If you are interested in local food culture, it is a vivid example of how preparation and regional ingredients come together.

Wharf and canal: two stories about water

The former wharf in Dingcheng adds the history of water transport to the picture. It was a hub for historic transport and the handling of goods; after a dam was built downstream, it is no longer in use. Two different connections with water can therefore be seen side by side: the wharf's former role in trade and transport, and the purpose-built irrigation canal.

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Dongfang, Xinzhuzhen, Wanning, Qionghai, Haikou, Wenchang, Sanya, Baisha

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