Birthplace of China's first railway

Birthplace of China's first railway

Kaiping has a long history. As early as the Neolithic Age, humans thrived within its territory. During the Qin and Han dynasties, it belonged to Youbeiping Commandery; in the Tang Dynasty, it was the seat of Shicheng County; in the Yuan Dynasty, it came under the jurisdiction of Yifeng County. In the first year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1403), the "Kaiping Zhongtunwei" garrison, originally stationed in Zhengding Prefecture, was moved here, from which the name "Kaiping" originated. It has a history of 600 years. In the Qing Dynasty, it belonged to Luan County (now part of Hebei Province).

Kaiping is the cradle of China’s modern industry. In the late 19th century, China’s first coal mine and first railway were born here. On June 25, 1878 (the fourth year of the Guangxu reign), the “Kaiping Mining Bureau” was officially established in Kaiping Town, Tangshan, Zhili (now Hebei). It began production in 1881 (the seventh year of Guangxu). The bureau employed 3,000 workers and produced over 3,600 tons of coal in its first year, increasing to 38,000 tons the following year and 75,000 tons in the third year. By 1889 (the fifteenth year of Guangxu), output reached 247,000 tons, and by 1898 (the twenty-fourth year of Guangxu), it had risen to 730,000 tons. The bureau continuously expanded its equipment and improved transportation conditions. In 1886 (the twelfth year of Guangxu), the Kaiping Railway Company was established.