Longjin

Located in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture of Jilin Province, the city of Longjing has a unique history closely tied to the culture and migration processes of the Korean people. Its name translates as "Dragon Well" and is shrouded in ancient legends, although the settlement itself began to actively take shape much later.

Founding and Early Mentions

The modern history of Longjing begins at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. During this period, many Korean families moved to these lands due to famine and instability on the Korean Peninsula. The region's official administrative history can be traced back to 1902, when these lands were placed under the Yanji Commissariat. The city's name is linked to a legend about an old well where, as locals believed, a dragon lived that could grant rain during droughts. This well gave the future city its name.

Key Factors of Development

Longjing's development was driven by several important factors:

• Geographical Location: Proximity to the border with Korea made this territory a natural magnet for migrants and facilitated the maintenance of close cultural and trade ties.
• Migration Flows: The mass migration of Koreans became the basis for demographic and economic growth. They brought with them agricultural traditions, particularly rice cultivation technology, which was adapted to local conditions.
• Political Role: In the first half of the 20th century, during the Japanese occupation of Korea, Longjing became an important center for the Korean national liberation movement outside the peninsula.

Early Cultural and Economic Characteristics

From the beginning, Longjing developed as a center for the Korean diaspora in China. Korean schools and churches were opened here, helping to preserve the national language, traditions, and identity. In its early stages, the economy was predominantly agrarian, focused on farming. The city quickly became not only an economic but also a cultural heart for Koreans living in Manchuria, laying the foundation for its further development within the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture.

Chronology of Key Events

The history of Longjing is a chronicle of administrative transformations and cultural development, closely linked to the history of the Korean population in China. The city has evolved from a small territory within a county to an independent administrative unit.

• 1902 — The territory of the future city officially becomes part of the Yanji Commissariat, the first step toward its administrative formalization.
• 1909 — The region's status is elevated, and it becomes part of the Yanji Prefecture within the Chinese Empire.
• 1912 — Following the Xinhai Revolution and the fall of the monarchy, the prefecture is reorganized into Yanji County, which included these lands.
• 1932–1945 — During the existence of the Manchukuo state, Yanji County is part of Jiandao Province.
• 1952 — After the founding of the PRC, the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Region is created, and Yanji County becomes part of it.
• 1955 — The Autonomous Region is reorganized into the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, maintaining its previous administrative structure.
• 1983 — A significant renaming occurs: Yanji County is renamed Longjing County, laying the foundation for the modern city.
• 1988 — Longjing is granted the status of a county-level city, reflecting its growing importance in the region.

The history of Longjing is inextricably linked with the cultural and migration processes on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast China. The city has grown from a migrant settlement into an important cultural and economic center of the region.

Key Milestones in Longjing's History

• Late 19th – Early 20th Century: Mass Korean Migration. Fleeing famine and colonial policies on the Korean Peninsula, thousands of Korean families moved to these lands. This migratory flow laid the demographic and cultural foundation of the future city.
• 1902: Official Administrative Establishment. The territory where Longjing was located was officially included in the Yanji Commissariat, marking the first step toward its integration into the administrative system of China.
• First Half of the 20th Century: Center of National Movements. During the period of Japanese presence in Korea, Longjing became one of the most important centers for the Korean national liberation movement abroad. Underground organizations operated here, and schools were opened to educate patriotic youth.
• Emergence as an Agricultural Hub. Korean settlers brought advanced agricultural technologies to the region, particularly the art of rice cultivation. This transformed local agriculture and ensured the economic stability of the settlement.
• 1952: Founding of the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture. Following the establishment of the PRC, Longjing became part of the newly formed autonomous prefecture, which officially secured its status as a major center for the Korean ethnic minority and helped preserve its language and traditions.
• Cultural and Educational Flourishing. From its very founding, the city became the heart of Korean culture in the region. Numerous schools, churches, and community organizations were opened here, allowing national identity to be preserved across several generations.
• Late 20th – Early 21st Century: Economic Modernization. Within the framework of national and regional development programs, such as the Revitalization of the Northeast, Longjing began developing modern industry and agriculture, giving a new impulse to its economy.

The architectural character of Longjing is not a story of Gothic, Renaissance, or Baroque. Instead of classic European styles, its urban landscape represents a unique blend of cultural influences, reflecting its complex history. Emerging from a wave of Korean migration, the city passed through several key stages, each leaving its mark on the local architecture.

Korean Heritage and Early Structures

Traditional Korean houses (hanok) formed the foundation of Longjing's early development. These structures, often single-story, were built from wood and clay, with their most distinctive feature being gracefully curved tiled roofs. While few original buildings from that period remain, their influence is evident in the architecture of modern cultural sites, such as memorial houses and museums that recreate this style to preserve historical memory. The layout of the city's old districts also carries the imprint of Korean settlements, with their focus on creating cozy inner courtyards.

The Manchukuo Era and Japanese Influence (1930s–1940s)

During the Manchukuo period, the architecture of Northeast China experienced significant Japanese influence. This style is characterized by functionality, strict lines, and the use of brick and concrete. In Longjing and neighboring cities, construction during this time primarily focused on administrative buildings, schools, and railway structures, which introduced elements of restrained constructivism and the pragmatism typical of Japanese architecture of that era to the cityscape.

The Socialist Period and Soviet Style (1950s–1980s)

After the founding of the PRC, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, the region's architecture developed under the strong influence of Soviet urban planning. This period, known as "Su Style," brought about standardized development: standard 3-5 story brick residential buildings, public buildings, and industrial facilities appeared. The primary emphasis was on functionality and construction speed, leading to the emergence of entire neighborhoods with simple, utilitarian architecture devoid of decorative excesses.

Modern Urban Development (1990s to Present)

Since the late 20th century, Longjing, like many Chinese cities, has experienced a construction boom. Old quarters are being replaced by modern residential complexes, shopping centers, and office buildings made of glass and concrete. Urban development today focuses on modernizing infrastructure, creating industrial parks, and developing tourist zones. At the same time, city authorities strive to integrate elements of Korean culture into modern buildings to highlight Longjing's unique identity as a center of Korean heritage in China.

The city of Longjing and the entire Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture played a vital role in Korean history, becoming a center for the national liberation movement in the first half of the 20th century. Many prominent Korean figures were born, lived, or conducted their struggle here.

Key Figures Associated with Longjing:

• Yun Dong-ju (1917–1945) — One of the most revered Korean poets of the 20th century. He was born and raised in Mingdong Village, part of modern-day Longjing. His lyrical and patriotic poems, written during the period of Japanese occupation, became a symbol of the nation's unyielding spirit. He died in a Japanese prison.
• Song Mong-gyu (1917–1945) — Yun Dong-ju's cousin and comrade-in-arms, and an active participant in the independence movement. He was a leader of the student underground and advocated for armed resistance. He was arrested alongside Yun Dong-ju and died in the same prison shortly before him.
• Moon Ik-hwan (1918–1994) — An influential pastor, poet, and social activist. He was born in Longjing, in the same village as Yun Dong-ju. In South Korea, he became a leader of the movement for democratization and Korean reunification, for which he was arrested multiple times.
• Kim Chwa-chin (1889–1930) — A legendary general and one of the commanders of the Korean Northern Military Administration. Although not a native of Longjing, his name is inextricably linked to the region due to the Battle of Qingshanli (1920) — one of the greatest victories of Korean guerrilla armies over Japanese forces, which took place in the city's vicinity.
• Hong Beom-do (1868–1943) — Another celebrated commander and hero of the anti-Japanese resistance. He commanded the joint forces of Korean insurgents alongside Kim Chwa-chin at the Battle of Qingshanli. His tactical genius and dedication to the cause of independence made him a folk hero.
• Na Woon-gyu (1902–1937) — An outstanding actor, screenwriter, and director, considered the "father of Korean cinema." In his youth, he participated in the independence movement in Manchuria. His most famous film, "Arirang" (1926), became a powerful artistic statement on the suffering of the Korean people under colonial rule.