Mindu Culture

Do you know where China’s first steam-powered warship was built? Not Shanghai. Not Tianjin. It was Mawei, Fuzhou — a tiny, unremarkable town in the 1860s. In 1869, a warship called Wannian Qing was launched here. Displacement: 1,370 tons. When the news reached Beijing, it shook the imperial court. Because before that day, every warship China owned had been bought from foreigners. I’m Chuke. Today I want to flip through some yellowed Fuzhou gazetteers and tell you the story of a small town that built 34 warships in 34 years. ...

Geographic Connections Mountains: Pingshan, Wushan, Yushan (The Three Mountains), North Ling Mountain Range. Water Systems: Min River, Jin’an River, Baima River, Antai River (Hongqiao River), Xima River, Dongxi River. Lakes: West Lake (Xihu Tang), East Lake (now reclaimed). Landmarks: Sanfang Qixiang (Three Lanes and Seven Alleys), Tongji Bridge, Wumen Sluice, Wanzao Canal, Daqiaotou, Wuyi Square. I. City Built on Water: The Foundation of Drainage in Jin and Tang Dynasties The drainage logic of ancient Fuzhou began with its unique “basin” geography. Located in the lower reaches of the Min River, Fuzhou is flanked by the North Ling Mountains and the Min River to the south. According to the Fuzhou City Gazetteer, the foundation of Fuzhou’s urban planning lies in the deep coupling of “Mountains, City, and Water”. ...