Go to Deyang and see the hardcore Sichuan

I hope the high temperature and power shortage will end soon

Let Sichuan continue to be hardcore

When it comes to "Deyang", you may feel unfamiliar.

But you must be familiar with the following names.

Sanxingdui, which "slept for three thousand years and shocked the world when it woke up", the dry pot that is popular all over the country for its spicy and fresh taste, and the famous Jiannanchun liquor with a mellow and soft taste with a long aftertaste, all of these are "made in Deyang".

A new round of excavations unearthed cultural relics in Sanxingdui, a tortoise-back-shaped grid-shaped bronze artifact that resembles a "barbecue grill" | Photographer @Sanxingdui Special Photographer Yu Jia

There are many more on the list of "Made in Deyang". Mianzhu New Year paintings, one of the four major Chinese New Year paintings, were born here.

Mianzhu New Year Painting Village | Image source: Mianzhu Culture and Tourism

The first cookbook in Sichuan history was born.

The second volume of Xingyuanlu (Qing Dynasty) was written by Li Huanan and edited and published by his son Li Diaoyuan. The picture below shows the "rice sauce making method". | Image source @ Xiling Auction, map @ Du Rui/Planet Research Institute

It is also the production base for key components of the C919, China's first truly large civil aircraft after the Y-10.

On November 2, 2015, the first domestically-made C919 large aircraft rolled off the assembly line | Photographer @陈肖

In Deyang, you can find the small family dreams of ordinary people, as well as the stars and the sea of ​​engineers.

What kind of city is Deyang? Why does it produce so many "Made in Deyang" products?

Today, we are excited about the new discoveries in Sanxingdui, proud of the domestic large aircraft completing its certification test flight, and reluctant to leave the Sichuan cuisine. So, it is time to learn about Deyang, the dream factory.

01

Dream of the Secret Realm of Life

Deyang is located in the western part of the Sichuan Basin and has jurisdiction over two districts, three cities and one county.

The tall and steep Longmen Mountains transition from here to the Sichuan Basin. The city is long and narrow, with an altitude difference of nearly 4,700 meters from the northwest mountains, central plains to the southeast hills.

Schematic diagram of Deyang's regional topography and water system. The five major rivers in the city are Mianyuan River, Shiting River, Yazi River, Qingbai River and Kai River | Map by Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute

The high mountains in the west blocked the southeastern warm and humid air currents from the Pacific Ocean. The water vapor was forced to rise and meet the cold air from the plateau, bringing abundant precipitation.

Please watch horizontally, a glimpse of Deyang clouds and mist. | Photographer @米飞龙

The mountain rivers were nourished by this, took shape and developed, and gradually converged into a number of rivers such as the Mianyuan River, Shiting River, and Yazi River.

Deyang Kaijiang Dahuiwan and the golden rapeseed fields along the coast | Photographer @赵靖影

The huge altitude difference also creates differences in climate.

The southeastern part is low-lying and has a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons; while the northwest part is a mountainous vertical climate zone, where the climate changes as the height of the mountains increases, with obvious differences.

These conditions have brought diverse flora, fauna and landforms to Deyang.

In the mountainous area in the northwest with an average altitude of 3,000 meters, there are deep valleys and continuous peaks.

View of Lion King Peak from Guanghan Airport. The Lion King Peak of Jiuding Mountain is 4989.1 meters above sea level, the highest point in the city . Photographer @向荣

There are sparsely populated primeval forests and alpine meadows here.

Please watch in horizontal mode, Jiuding Mountain | Photographer @米飞龙

Centenary trees live side by side, and when the alpine flowers bloom in summer, the clusters are warm and touching.

Please watch in horizontal mode, the alpine flower sea of ​​Jiuding Mountain | Photographer @唐鹏

There are 3,417 species of wild plants and 2,095 species of terrestrial wild animals living in the mountains at different altitudes, including Davidia involucrata, Ginkgo biloba, and rare yew and Phoebe nanmu, which are known as "living fossils of plants".

The Davidia involucrata in Yanjing Village, Qingping Town, Mianzhu is in bloom, like flying white doves | Photographer @柯元林

In addition to giant pandas, there are a number of key protected animals living here, including the Sichuan golden monkey, Chinese goral, forest musk deer, and red musk deer.

The national first-class protected animal, endangered species, musk deer photographed on Jiuding Mountain. | Image source @Maoxian Jiuding Mountain Wildlife Friends Association

In the plains and hills with lower altitudes, you can find traces of wintering migratory birds.

Jing Lake, formed by the construction of a sluice to prevent floods on the Mianyuan River, is a paradise for bird watchers.

Crowds of people watching birds by Jing Lake in Deyang | Photographer @李涛

Of the world's nine major bird migration routes, three pass through China. Sichuan is on one of these routes due to its unique resources and climate advantages.

In winter, migratory birds come from all directions to spend the winter: those from the west go south along the Bayankala, Qionglai and other mountains, cross the Hengduan Mountains to reach the western Sichuan Basin; those from North China go along the Taihang and Luliang mountains, cross the Qinling Mountains and Daba Mountains to enter Sichuan.

Deyang is an important stopover for migratory birds on their migration route in Sichuan, and Jinghu Lake in the urban area is one of the top ten bird-watching spots in Sichuan.

Sichuan's best bird watching spots and China's main wetland bird migration routes | Map by @Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute

In January 2021, there were more than 5,300 water birds of 46 species overwintering in Jing Lake. Rare wild black storks, blue-headed ducks, and white spoonbills were either playing in the water or flying high in the sky, chirping in the shadow of the lake, looking so free.

Black storks and white-bone pheasants hunting on Jing Lake | Photographer @李涛

The diverse climate and terrain together gave birth to this mysterious land of life.

It is not only an ideal habitat for animals and plants, but also a dreamland for humans. Here, both small dreams and grand ambitions will be realized.

02

Fireworks Pastoral Dream

Before Qin conquered Bashu, Deyang had always been under the jurisdiction of the ancient Shu Kingdom.

Between 4,500 and 2,800 years ago, our ancestors lived and worked on this land, multiplied and created the mysterious and splendid ancient Shu culture.

Sanxingdui in Guanghan, Deyang, known as "one of the most important archaeological discoveries of mankind in the 20th century", has unearthed ivory, jade, bronze, gold and even silk artifacts in large quantities and exquisitely made, fully demonstrating that this was once one of the capitals of the ancient Shu Kingdom and was very prosperous.

The golden mask unearthed from Sanxingdui Pit 5 | Photographer @张磊

In 316 BC, the Qin army attacked Shu, and the Shu king died after twelfth generation of Kaiming.

The Qin State subsequently appointed Zhang Ruo and Li Bing as governors of Shu County, built the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, dredged the Pi and Jian Rivers and the Luo and Mian Rivers, and greatly increased the rice production in Mian and Luo.

**Farmland along the Xiushui River in Diaoyuan Town, Luojiang District, Deyang. **The Luo and Mian rivers mentioned above are now the Shiting River and the Mianyuan River. Before the Sui Dynasty, Mian and Luo were subordinate to each other. Later people used to call the area of ​​Jingyang, Luojiang, Guanghan, Mianzhu and Shifang the ancient Mianluo area. | Photographer @风沉郁

The development of agriculture has promoted economic prosperity and the development of the wine industry. Deyang Mianzhu has become a wine-producing area as early as the Warring States Period.

Warring States wine vessel - Copper kettle with snake handle. Unearthed in Jintu Village, Mianzhu City, Sichuan Province in 1976 | Photographer @Makara.杉

Water is the blood of wine. Mianzhu has excellent water quality, and the gurgling springs in the mountain caves and gullies have become an important water source for making fine wine.

Tianyi Laohao Distillery Site was selected as one of the "Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries in China" in 2004 | Image source @Jiannanchun official website

For more than a thousand years, from the "Jiannan Shaochun" in the Tang Dynasty, the "Ehuang Honey Wine" in the Song Dynasty, the "Qinglu Daqu" in the Qing Dynasty to today's famous wine Jiannanchun, fine wines have emerged in endlessly, and the aroma of the wine has survived the vicissitudes of life and has become deeper with the passage of time.

Fine wines and poems produced in Deyang and its surrounding areas throughout the ages | Map by Du Rui/Planet Research Institute

The story of Jiang Shi, a filial son in the Eastern Han Dynasty, has been passed down from generation to generation and even compiled into the classic "The Leaping Carp from the Spring" of the "Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars", becoming an enlightenment textbook for the Chinese people's concept of morality and filial piety.

Today, in Xiaoquan Town, Jingyang District, Deyang, there are still the remains of the tomb of Jiang Shi and his parents, wife and children. It is a provincial cultural relic protection unit in Sichuan Province and a favorite gathering place for the people of Xiaoquan Town.

They often gather here to drink tea, chat, and play mahjong. Facing the big question of life and death, they are calm, open-minded, and optimistic.

People drink tea, chat and play mahjong beside Jiang Gong’s tomb | Photographer @Sudanqing

During the Three Kingdoms period when heroes emerged in large numbers, Liu Bei entered Shu and attacked Luo. Pang Tong, known as the "Phoenix Cub", was shot and killed at Luofengpo, and a great talent of his generation fell.

The reprinting and circulation of the novel and the rap performance of the drama made Luojiang's Baimaqiao Luofengpo widely known.

In order to commemorate him, people built a temple here and have held sacrifices for him throughout the generations.

A bird's-eye view of Pang Tong Temple. There is a famous couplet in Pang Tong Temple: "A true Confucian scholar is not only famous for his writings, but a real man should wrap himself in horsehide." | Photographer @风沉郁

This is the Pang Tong Temple in Luojiang, Deyang, which is listed as a national key cultural relic protection site. Every first month of the year, people will pay tribute to the ancestors with lively Sichuan opera performances and folk customs performances.

Pang Tong Temple Fair | Photographer @陈涛

The Deyang Confucian Temple, which was first built in the Southern Song Dynasty, has now been integrated into the lives of citizens.

This well-preserved and large-scale Confucian Temple is located in the center of Deyang City and is a bright spot in the city. People play with fish under the Wanren Palace wall, try the food in the nearby food street, and walk and dance in the square in front of the Confucian Temple.

Confucian Temple in the center of Deyang City | Photographer @Hu Shu

This fertile land has nurtured not only a rich culture, but also many special foods.

Li Diaoyuan, a literary figure born in Luojiang, Deyang in the Qing Dynasty, not only had extraordinary literary and artistic achievements, but also compiled and published the first cookbook in Sichuan's history, "Xingyuanlu".

Li Diaoyuan Memorial Hall in Luojiang District, Deyang | Photographer @蔡潇翔

Deyang soy sauce, Zhongjiang noodles, eight-treasure oil cake, Luojiang bean chicken, Guanghan silk-wrapped rabbit, Lianshan twice-cooked pork, Shifang red and white tea and Xiaoquan fruit juice beef, all these delicacies from all over the world come together to form a bowl of worldly fireworks in Deyang.

A collection of some of Deyang's specialties | Map by @Du Rui/Planetary Research Institute, Photographers @Liu Chun & Liu Cheng/Deyang Tourism & Deyang Tourism & Gan Lin/Deyang Tourism & Xu Ying/Planetary Research Institute

Various handicrafts have also evolved here. Mianzhu New Year paintings, one of the four major Chinese New Year paintings, Shifang sun-dried tobacco and cigars, which were listed as tribute in the Qing Dynasty, and Deyang Chao fan, the "unique specialty in Sichuan", have been passed down for thousands of years.

Deyang Chao Fan | Photographer @Hu Shu

Culture, fine wine, delicious food and art are intertwined here, creating a vivid pastoral dream. At that time, Deyang could not have imagined what kind of people and what kind of big dream the opportunities of the times would bring to it.

03

The dream of a great nation

In October 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded. After the joy of celebrating the birthday, it was faced with a severe industrial situation.

At that time, China's steel industry only had 7 open-hearth furnaces and 22 small electric furnaces; the installed power capacity was only 1.849 million kilowatts; and most machinery factories could only engage in repair and assembly business.

The overall industrial level lags behind the major capitalist countries in the world by more than 100 years.

Chairman Mao's description of the industrial situation in the early days of the People's Republic of China | Map by Du Rui/Planet Research Institute

Starting from 1953, the first and second five-year plans listed heavy industry as an important task for the development of New China.

In this grand industrial construction, in order to balance the differences in industrial levels among regions, inland provincial capitals and cities in resource-rich areas became the preferred bases for factory layout.

At that time, Deyang was just an agricultural county with a population of 18,000 and a built-up area of ​​1.5 square kilometers, with little industry and small scale.

However, the Chengdu-Chongqing line, the first railway in New China opened in 1952, the Chengdu-Mianyang section of the Baoji-Chengdu Railway opened in 1953, and the Sichuan-Shaanxi Highway that runs across the entire territory have provided excellent transportation conditions for Deyang and its surrounding areas.

Baoji-Chengdu Railway passes through Kaijiang section | Photographer @风沉郁

Thanks to its convenient transportation, Deyang can be connected to the nearby Jiangyou Iron and Steel Plant, Chengdu Iron and Steel Plant, Leshan, Yibin, Xichang Iron and Steel Plants to the south, and Chongqing Iron and Steel Plant to the southeast.

At the same time, Deyang has a low groundwater level, which is conducive to building factories. It is also rich in minerals, especially the high-quality sand and gravel resources in the five major rivers, which are essential raw materials for construction.

In 1956, Deyang, along with neighboring Chengdu and surrounding areas, was included in the national "10 key area plans", and Deyang began to encounter large-scale industry since then.

In the initial urban planning, Deyang was positioned as an industrial city focusing on the aviation electronics industry, with a planned urban population of 300,000. This marked the beginning of Deyang's modern urban construction.

Sketch of Deyang City Master Plan in 1958 | Map by Du Rui/Planet Research Institute

After that, the policy was adjusted and the country planned to build Deyang into the third "national heavy machinery and power generation equipment industrial base" with close ties and division of labor and cooperation with Northeast China and Shanghai.

This laid the foundation for Deyang's industrial development direction for the next few decades.

On October 14, 1958, Sichuan Daily reported that the Southwest Heavy Machinery Plant had started construction . Image source: Sichuan Daily, graphic by Du Rui/Planet Research Institute

In 1958, Deyang had 7 central machinery industry projects under construction or to be built, and 51 local industrial projects. Among the 7 national projects, 4 had the largest scale and most advanced technology of their kind in China.

In the same year, Deng Xiaoping visited Deyang and had high hopes for the city. He even considered the bright future of these industrial projects and proposed the idea of ​​building Deyang into a city, suggesting that several surrounding counties be included, and believed that Deyang's urban development "should be planned as a city of 500,000 to 1 million people."

In November 1965, Comrade Deng Xiaoping visited the Second Heavy Machinery Plant again. The Southwest Heavy Machinery Plant was later renamed the Second Heavy Machinery Plant, referred to as the "Second Heavy Machinery Plant" | Image source @ SINOMACH Heavy Equipment Group Co., Ltd., drawing @ Du Rui/Planet Research Institute

In the early 1960s, the international situation suddenly became tense.

In order to cope with the pressure of national defense, the Central Working Conference held in 1964 proposed to gradually move production resources such as national defense, science and technology, industry, and transportation to 11 provinces and regions mainly in the southwest and northwest. This was the vigorous "Third Line Construction".

The division of the Third Line construction area and the distribution of some factory sites in Deyang Third Line Construction | Map by @Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute

Deyang became a key area for the Third Front construction, and its previously good industrial foundation grew even stronger.

This was an action that gathered the strength of the whole country. From the northeast to the southwest, from the northwest to the east, from farmers to students, from cities to villages, countless workers with dreams poured into Sichuan and came to Deyang.

They brought the latest machinery and equipment and technical processes, injecting modern vitality into Deyang.

The statistics of capital construction investment in the third-tier regions show that Sichuan invested the most. From 1964 to 1980, the investment in the third-tier regions accounted for 39% of the national capital construction investment during the same period. Many industrial and mining enterprises and scientific research institutions built during this period later became the "backbone" of the west | Map by @Du Rui/Planet Research Institute

It is certainly not an easy task to create something from scratch. Migrant workers dug earth and built roads; ordinary people vacated houses and built sheds; workers, students and technical experts worked day and night to overcome technical difficulties under simple conditions.

When drinking water was hard to come by, they drank river water; when there were no dormitories, they built simple shelters using straw as roofs and bamboo as walls. When food was scarce, they used the idle land in the industrial zone, reclaimed wasteland, and became self-reliant.

In 1958, the roof truss of the casting rough processing workshop was hoisted. | Image source @ China National Machinery Industry Corporation, drawing @ Du Rui/Planet Research Institute

With the successive production of Dongfang Electric Machinery Plant, the Second Heavy Machinery Plant and Dongfang Steam Turbine Plant, the largest heavy machinery industrial base in the Third Front construction, comparable to Northeast China and Shanghai, was completed.

This is a struggle to realize a dream.

In the early 1970s, a 4,200 mm large-scale rolling mill for extra-thick plates designed mainly by the Erchong Plant was born, ending my country's history of being unable to produce extra-wide and extra-thick steel plates.

In December 1974, the 4200mm rolling mill manufactured by the Second Heavy Machinery Plant for Henan Wuyang Iron and Steel Company was completed. For a long time, the steel plates made from it were the core materials for major technical equipment such as ships, tanks, and submarines in my country | Image source @ China National Machinery Heavy Equipment Group Co., Ltd., drawing @ Du Rui/Planet Research Institute

In 1981, the 170-megawatt turbine generator set of the Gezhouba Hydropower Station, developed by the Oriental Electric Machinery Factory, was successfully put into trial operation. Both its unit capacity and runner diameter were the highest in the world at that time.

Please watch in horizontal mode. The top cover of the water guide structure of Unit 1 of the Gezhouba Reconstruction Project is being installed. In 2021, the two 170MW hydropower generating units of the Gezhouba Power Station, which have been in operation for nearly 40 years, will be renovated. After 40 years, Dongfang Electric and Gezhouba will work together again | Image source @Dongfang Electric Group Dongfang Electric Co., Ltd.

From 1978 to 1990, Deyang heavy machinery industry developed 277 new products, 76 of which reached international standards and 7 filled domestic gaps.

Urban construction also continued to advance along with industry. By the end of 1982, the total population of Deyang County had reached 112,000, and the area had expanded to 9.5 square kilometers. In 1983, the State Council approved Deyang to become a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of the province.

The Second Heavy Machinery Plant, Oriental Electric Plant, Oriental Steam Turbine Plant and other plants born in Deyang have become the dream factories for the new generation of national heavy equipment with their strong vitality.

Please watch in horizontal mode, Dongfang Electric Machinery Factory | Photographer @米飞龙

It is here that the world's first million-kilowatt hydropower unit of the Baihetan Hydropower Station, Asia's largest single-unit offshore wind turbine unit, and my country's independently developed third-generation nuclear power technology "Hualong One" nuclear power unit were born.

Please watch in horizontal mode. Dongfang Electric independently developed the first nuclear power steam turbine main equipment of "Hualong One" | Image source @Dongfang Electric Group Dongfang Turbine Co., Ltd.

After entering the 21st century, Deyang has made great efforts in the clean energy equipment industry, manufacturing 60% of the country's nuclear power units, 50% of large power station castings and forgings, 40% of hydropower units, and 16% of wind turbines. Its power generation equipment output has ranked first in the world for many years.

Please watch in horizontal mode. At 5150 meters, the permanent magnet direct-drive wind turbine developed by Dongfang Wind Power has been installed, achieving a historic leap in the "no man's land" of ultra-high altitude wind power above 5000 meters | Image source @Dongfang Electric Wind Power Co., Ltd.

Deyang was therefore awarded the title of "International Demonstration City for Clean Technology and New Energy Equipment Manufacturing" by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. The city also became the host of the 2022 World Clean Energy Equipment Conference.

World Clean Energy Equipment Conference Venue | Photographer @Hu Shu

Although Deyang’s original avionics industry plan was not continued, it left an aviation gene in the city’s development.

The Civil Aviation Flight University of China, whose main campus is in Deyang, is known as the "cradle of Chinese civil aviation pilots". Since its establishment, it has trained more than 70% of China's pilots and more than 80% of captains.

Please watch in horizontal mode, Civil Aviation Flight University of China | Photographer @刘天一

For the domestically-produced large aircraft C919, which successfully completed its test flight in 2017, 70% of its forgings, including seven major sections such as the fuselage, wings, and landing gear, were "made in Deyang."

80,000-ton die-forging hydraulic press of SINOMACH Heavy Equipment Co. , Ltd. The name “Made in Deyang” for C919 comes from this. This is the world’s largest die-forging hydraulic press independently designed and developed by China, and can be widely used in the manufacturing of top-level equipment in the fields of aerospace, petroleum, chemical industry, shipbuilding, and electric power. | Image source @ SINOMACH Heavy Equipment Group Co., Ltd.

Deyang’s “dream of a great power” is still going on, and people have not forgotten to protect the mountains and rivers that nurtured them. Thus, a new chapter of “dream of living things” has been opened.

In order to protect the giant panda habitat, Qingping Town in the Deyang section of the Giant Panda National Park closed its phosphate mine and transformed from a mining area into a tourist attraction surrounded by mountains.

Qingping Town, Mianzhu, Deyang, has become a popular self-driving tourist destination | Photographer @米飞龙

Seven artificial bird islands have been built in Jinghu, a migratory bird paradise in the urban area, creating a long-term and stable home for migratory birds.

Please watch in horizontal mode. In April 2019, Deyang built seven bird islands in Jinghu Lake . The picture shows herons on the bird islands | Photographer @李涛

Deyang’s bustling countryside has also become the starting point of many young people’s dreams.

Gaohuai Village in Jingyang District, Deyang City, has become a cultural and creative paradise for rural musicians, intangible cultural heritage inheritors, and plant dyeing designers.

Gaohuai Village | Photographer @Hu Shu

The expressway, highway and railway built between Deyang and Chengdu closely connect the two cities.

The dense transportation network formed by subways, intercity buses and high-speed trains has realized the Chengdu-Deyang "living circle" in half an hour, and provided convenient conditions for those who go out to pursue their dreams to return home.

Please watch in horizontal mode, the Xicheng High-Speed ​​Railway roaring past the Lion King Peak | Photographer @周明

In this way, from the secret realm of living creatures, to the mundane world, to the heavy equipment of a great country, Deyang continues to nurture many possibilities.

It used to be a small city, which used its land and water to weave dreams of worldly life for all living things; but because of the trust of the times, it also built dreams for a great country and fulfilled the sincere hearts of those who strive hard.

Please watch in horizontal mode, Deyang night view | Photographer @胡澍

- This article was created by the team -

Written by | Xiang Bu Xiang

Photo | Xu Ying

Map | Chen Zhihao

Design | Du Rui

Proofreading | Shanyuelou, A Shao, Zhong Xiaomiao

【References】

[1] Compiled by Deyang Local Chronicles Compilation Committee. Deyang City Chronicles[M]. Sichuan People's Publishing House, 2003.

[2]Compiled by Party History Research Office of Deyang Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China. The Third Front Construction in Deyang, Sichuan [M]. 2015.11.

[3] Zhou Mingchang. The origin of Deyang’s modern urban planning[J]. China Real Estate Industry, 2015(9):2.

[4] Zhou Mingchang. China’s urbanization during the Third Front Construction Period: Focusing on Deyang, Sichuan[J]. Jiangxi Social Sciences, 2018, 38(8):13.

[5] Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society. History of Chinese Machinery. Industry Volume. Part 2[M]. Science and Technology Press of China, 2015.

[6] Jiannanchun History Editing Group. Jiannanchun History[M]. Bashu Publishing House, 1987.

[7] Ma Zhijun, Chen Shuihua (eds.). Marine and Wetland Birds of China[M]. Changsha: Hunan Science and Technology Press, 2018.09.

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