Anhui's Second Largest City: How Is It Achieving Rapid Takeoff?
▲ Wuhu East Lake Park, the geometric lines in the picture are fountain pipelines. Photo/VCG
(Dedicated BGM for "Wuhu Take Off")
Anhui, a province that consistently ranks among the top three in China's "most unnoticed" polls.
However, in 2020, it contributed two of China's hottest regional homophone memes: "Wuhu Take Off" and "Bengbu Can't Hold It."
▲ Host Mr. Da Sima is arguably the most meme-creative gaming streamer. Photo/Internet
These two cities, one in the south and one in the north, one along the river and one along the canal, one focused on rice and one on wheat, one aquatic and one terrestrial, represent the two poles of Anhui, showcasing the province's rich and diverse charm.
▲ Urban scenery of Wuhu. Photo by Tao Hong
If Bengbu is a city built by trains, then Wuhu is a water town nurtured by rivers.
Wuhu is located in the eastern part of southern Anhui. Facing the Jianghuai Plain to the north and leaning against the mountains of southern Anhui to the south, the Yangtze River flows through the city, connecting the western Jingchu region and the eastern Wu-Yue region. It is the undeniable C位 (center) city of southern Anhui, a status so significant that Sun Yat-sen praised it during the Republic of China era as the "Great Port on the Yangtze, the Pillar of Anhui."
▲ Mirror Lake scenery, water is ubiquitous in Wuhu. Photo by Tao Hong
The Yangtze River, rushing over 5,000 kilometers from its source, meets the Qingyi River in Wuhu. The Qingyi River, the largest tributary in the lower reaches of the Yangtze, sheds the fierce temperament forged in the high mountains and canyons of its upper reaches, embracing the peaceful and gentle nature of the Jiangnan water towns. Nestled between these two great rivers, Wuhu has developed the appearance of a lush water-bound region.
Water is the lifeline of Wuhu.
The reputation of a granary where "one year of harvest ensures three years of abundance"; river shrimp and crabs filling the boat cabins; the convenient water transport that "extends in all directions"; its important status as one of China's four major rice markets; and the霸气 (dominance) of being "Anhui's number one port" since the opening of the port in modern times. Without water, none of this would have happened in Wuhu.
▲ Rice paddies in Wuhu's Xiangshui Jian, rice was once the most important product of Wuhu. Photo by Tao Hong
The section of the Yangtze River flowing through Anhui is known as the "Wanjiang Region." Along this golden waterway, famous cities and important towns are embedded like pearls on both banks: Anqing, Chizhou, Tongling, Wuhu, Ma'anshan...
Since the opening of the port, Wuhu has soared, standing out in the Wanjiang region and remaining the most dazzling star city.
Where two rivers converge, there is often a famous city or an important town. Wuhan and Chongqing are precedents, Yibin and Fuling follow, and Wuhu also lives up to its name as a confluence of two rivers and a key town in southern Anhui.
▲ Ferry at Wuhu's Xihe Ancient Town, boats were once the most common means for Wuhu people to travel far and return home. Photo/VCG
The name Wuhu dates back to the Han Dynasty and originally meant a wetland overgrown with weeds.
After countless generations of diligent cultivation by the people of Wuhu, this marshy land had become, by the Southern Dynasties period, "fine fields and beautiful mulberry trees, plots stretching as far as the eye can see, connected houses with high ridges, crisscrossed paths like embroidery," a scene of bustling population and Jiangnan rural scenery. This long tradition of farming ensured Wuhu's rice enjoyed fame far and wide.
The confluence of the Qingyi River, originating from the northern foothills of Huangshan, and the Yangtze River served as a "highway" for transporting rice from Wuhu to all directions. The dual advantages of abundant produce and efficient logistics secured Wuhu's position as one of the "Four Major Rice Markets" in China.
▲ Tributaries such as the Yuxi River and Qingyi River along both banks of Wuhu provided conditions for Yangtze River shipping to extend deep inland. Map / Sun Lu
Before Huizhou merchants, who originated from Huizhou, ventured beyond Anhui, they often first used Wuhu as an outpost. Wuhu was the nearest Yangtze River trading port to Huizhou, which was surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and south. Only by heading north along the river could they find a chance to thrive.
Strategically located along rivers and facing north toward Jianghuai, west to Jingchu, and east to Wuyue, Wuhu was the ideal springboard for Huizhou merchants. Success meant access to the world; failure allowed a retreat to their hometown. No wonder Ming Dynasty Huizhou merchants praised Wuhu as "a thoroughfare in all directions, a divinely bestowed hub for transportation."
▲ Busy ships on the Yangtze River passing under the Wuhu Yangtze River Third Bridge. Photo / Tao Hong
Wuhu's great transformation occurred in 1876 with the signing of the Sino-British "Yantai Treaty," which designated Wuhu as a new treaty port, marking its first takeoff.
In modern Chinese history, the opening of Wuhu was as significant for Anhui as the opening of Shanghai was for China.
▲ The old Wuhu Customs House witnessed that turbulent era of Western influence. Photo / 060067zf, Image / Tuchong Creative
Before Wuhu opened as a treaty port, Anqing had always been the most important port city in Anhui.
After its opening, Wuhu's total import and export volume increased from over 1.5 million taels in 1877 to over 50 million taels in 1931, a growth of more than 30 times. Nationally, in 1934, Wuhu ranked 5th in domestic trade among river port cities, the only city in Anhui on the list. Wuhu had become the de facto "Number One Port in Anhui."
While fully leveraging its traditional water transport advantages, the construction of the Jiangnan Railway and Huainan Railway in the 1930s made Wuhu an even more prominent transportation hub. This not only expanded external connections but also transformed Wuhu from a单一的 "rice trade center" to a "commercial port for rice and coal trade."
▲ Wuhu Catholic Church, the second-largest Catholic church in East China. Photo / Fan Shichao
The opening of the port also made Wuhu the first city in Anhui to be influenced by Western culture.
The Wuhu Catholic Church, completed in 1895, is renowned in East China, second only to Shanghai's Xujiahui Church, and is hailed as the "Notre-Dame of the South." The old Wuhu Customs House in Jinghu District bears witness to the impact of Western influence during that turbulent era. In 2007, China's largest Fantawild theme park settled in Wuhu, seemingly continuing the city's tradition of openness and inclusiveness.
▲ Wuhu Fantawild, the only 5A-level scenic spot in Wuhu. Image / Visual China
Access to rivers and the sea, along with port transportation, enabled Wuhu to connect with all directions and stay well-informed. These innate advantages helped Wuhu rise abruptly and become the first city in Anhui to take off through treaty port commerce.
If Wuhu's first takeoff was due to its solid foundation, its second takeoff owed much to the courage and perseverance of its people.
In Anhui, when it comes to reform and opening-up, people often think of the 18 life-risking red handprints of Xiaogang Village in Fengyang. However, Wuhu also has a figure of equal significance—Nian Guangjiu, known as "China's first private vendor" and founder of "Fool's Melon Seeds."
▲ The brilliantly lit streets along the Yangtze River in Wuhu. Image / Visual China
In the 1980s, Nian Guangjiu, braving the storm to engage in business, became a barometer of economic policy. His every move influenced the scales and measurements of vendors across the country.
After the reform and opening-up, Wuhu people were always the first to sense the breath of change.
In 1990, Wuhu's GDP ranked 10th among the 17 cities in Anhui Province. The once "Number One Port of Anhui" appeared stagnant and critically ill.
But it was also in 1990, as soon as news of the construction of the Shanghai Pudong New Area arrived, the Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone was immediately put on the agenda. Sure enough, in 1992, Wuhu was included in the first batch of five open cities along the Yangtze River announced by the State Council. In 1993, the Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone was officially established, becoming the first national-level development zone in Anhui Province.
▲ The Wuhu Yangtze River Bridge, an important transportation guarantee for Wuhu's economic takeoff after 2000. Photo/VCG
After securing preferential policies, Wuhu people carried out bold reforms in the face of outdated industrial structures and redundant personnel systems. Attracting external investment and increasing economic growth became urgent tasks for Wuhu's resurgence.
"To get rich, build roads first"—this well-known Chinese saying also applies to Wuhu.
▲ The Nanjing-Anqing high-speed railway passes through Wuhu. Photo/VCG
Located on the south bank of the Yangtze River, Wuhu's main urban area had long been hindered by the natural barrier of the river, preventing seamless integration with the north bank. Thus, the idea of the Wuhu Yangtze River Bridge emerged, the Hefei-Wuhu Expressway directly connecting to the provincial capital Hefei was put on the agenda, and Wuhu Railway Station began construction. As for water transport, Wuhu, originally the "Number One Port of Anhui," naturally resumed operations with ease.
With the foundation solidified, all that remained was to demonstrate Wuhu people's determination to take off.
▲ Chery Automobile from Wuhu is one of Anhui's most well-known enterprises. Photo/Tao Hong
With the sincerity of Wuhu people—"where there is sincerity, even metal and stone can be split"—three core production bases, Conch Cement, Midea Electric, and Chery Automobile, were established in Wuhu. These grew into the three pillar industries that remain the core of Wuhu's economy today: materials, electrical appliances, and automobiles. Relying on these industries, which grew from nothing to strength, Wuhu quickly rose to become the second-largest economy in Anhui.
Choosing a development direction has always been a key consideration for Wuhu, located in the southeastern corner of Anhui. In this regard, Wuhu people have a natural敏锐 (acumen). The force that made modern Wuhu a treaty port came from the sea, a trend unlikely to change for a long time. Thus, after the reform and opening-up, Wuhu closely watched the movements of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration.
In the long journey of joining the Yangtze River Delta and expanding Anhui's living space, Wuhu has always been at the forefront.
▲ In 2016, 8 cities in Anhui joined the Yangtze River Delta urban circle; in 2019, the entire province of Anhui joined the Yangtze River Delta metropolitan circle. Chart/Sun Lu
Persistent efforts finally bore fruit. In 2013, Wuhu became one of the first Anhui cities to join the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration. In 2016, the "Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration Development Plan" was announced, formally incorporating 8 Anhui cities into the development plan of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration.
▲ The inclusion of Wuwei County significantly raised the development ceiling of Wuhu City. Chart/Sun Lu
In its efforts to expand its development space, Wuhu spared no effort.
Wuhu's old city was mostly south of the Yangtze River, with weak hinterland depth and too small a population, leading to a low development ceiling. This issue was alleviated in 2011 when Wuwei County was merged into Wuhu City. Located north of the river, Wuwei County and the urban area of Wuhu on the south bank embraced the Yangtze River, and Wuhu officially entered a new era of cross-river development.
▲ Wuhu's appropriate distance from Hefei and Nanjing allows it to benefit from the provincial capitals' influence while avoiding the disadvantage of their "siphon effect." Chart/Sun Lu
As a long-standing hub for people and goods, Wuhu people have a tradition of welcoming guests from all directions and building connections far and wide. Hefei and Nanjing are the two provincial capitals with the shortest straight-line distance in China, and Wuhu is at the intersection of their influence, about 100 kilometers from each core city, enjoying the best of both worlds and geographical advantages.
▲ Driving from Wuhu via the Ningwu Expressway takes only two hours to reach Nanjing. Photo/VCG
Anhui is a major province for roasted seeds and nuts in China, home to well-known brands like Qiaqia and Zhenxin.
Founded in 2012 in Wuhu, Anhui, Three Squirrels seems to have inherited Nian Guangji's pioneering courage and business acumen, deeply integrating the internet with snack brands for the first time. Within just seven years of its establishment, its sales exceeded 10 billion yuan, and it went public on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, creating many firsts in the snack industry.
▲ The Three Squirrels Town in Wuhu has become an important venue for family activities among Wuhu residents. Photo/VCG
From humble roasted seeds and nuts to today's snack empire, and from being critically ill to undergoing a complete transformation, Wuhu's second takeoff has been both breathtakingly grand and meticulously planned.
Located at the confluence of two rivers and accessible to all directions, Wuhu is undoubtedly the culinary center of Anhui.
Upon arriving in Wuhu, the delicate and exquisite "xiaolong baozi" (soup dumplings) are the best food to start the day. "Move slowly, lift gently, open a window, then drink the soup" is the standard procedure for every Wuhu local when eating soup dumplings. The semi-fermented thin wrapper encases the filling and the broth from melted skin jelly. With one bite, the juices burst forth, and the delicious flavor lingers in the mouth for a long time.
▲ Juicy and flavorful Wuhu soup dumplings. Photo/Zhu You, Figure/Tuchong Creativity
The shrimp roe noodles, popularized by the documentary "A Bite of China," are a must-try for every out-of-town foodie visiting Wuhu. The soup is clear, and the noodles are smooth. The shrimp roe from freshwater river shrimp is stir-fried with scallions, ginger, and soy sauce into a soft and fragrant shrimp paste. When infused with the broth, the shrimp paste releases an irresistible aroma.
▲ Wuhu shrimp roe noodles, a perfect example of combining Jiangnan's river delicacies with northern-style noodles. Photo/VCG
However, the local seasonal river delicacies are the favorites among gourmets. Due to overfishing, the reeves shad and long-tailed anchovy, two of Wuhu's three delicacies, seem to have become legendary dishes only found in literature. River crabs are also rare to find, leaving only the humble river shrimp to satisfy Wuhu locals' craving for freshness. Boiled in plain water with scallions, ginger, and vinegar, the shrimp's sweetness, tenderness, and freshness are maximized without any fishy taste.
Being close to the "Hui Capital" (Nanjing), duck dishes are a must. Wuhu locals have their own rules for eating duck. The red-skinned duck has gained fame outside Wuhu and has become the city's most well-known culinary export in recent years.
▲ Wuhu's "Da Sima" is the best ambassador for red-skinned duck.
The specially marinated duck is roasted at high temperatures, resulting in a reddish, glossy skin. Unlike the crispy skin of Beijing roast duck, the red-skinned duck has a tender texture. It also differs from the salty freshness of Nanjing salted duck, as the red-skinned duck is served with a savory-sweet brine. In Wuhu, treating someone to a serving of red-skinned duck is the "highest standard" of hospitality.
▲ Red-skinned duck is the most famous招牌 of Wuhu cuisine. Photo/Gai Wan
The low-key Wuwei pressed duck is a local favorite in Wuhu. Made from high-quality Chaohu ducks, it is first marinated and then smoked, resulting in a flavorful, firm, and chewy texture with a unique taste.
▲ Plum blossom cake is a cherished culinary memory for many Wuhu locals. Photo/Gai Wan
Additionally, Wuhu's convenient land and water transportation have brought together a variety of snacks. For example, there are various types of baked cakes with different flavors: savory meat cakes, radish shred cakes, osmanthus cakes, and kidney-shaped cakes, showcasing the northern pasta culture inherited by this southern water town. Meanwhile, plum blossom cakes, lotus root porridge, and red bean fermented rice exude the sweetness of Jiangnan flavors, while steamed pork rice preserves the memory of Jiangxi-style steamed dishes.
Wuhu cuisine served at banquets belongs to the riverside cuisine, deeply influenced by Huizhou cuisine. For instance, the processing techniques for freshwater fish and the famous tradition of eating "stinky" foods are inherited among Wuhu locals. In the past, every household would pickle "stinky vegetables," known locally as "fragrance that travels a thousand miles." When cooked with tofu, it becomes Wuhu's famous "stinky vegetable stewed tofu." This custom, a remnant of times of scarcity, hides the Wuhu people's cherish for old flavors—perhaps inconspicuous but precious enough.
▲ From left to right: steamed pork rice, baked cake, and red bean fermented rice. The variety of snacks has earned Wuhu the reputation that "guests need not worry when visiting Wuhu." Photo/Gai Wan
The multifaceted city of Wuhu is a delightful surprise bestowed upon Anhui by heaven: a water-rich city emerges from the mountainous lands of southern Anhui, a bustling commercial port with a strong urban vibe stands out in the rustic atmosphere of Anhui, and from a province often considered low-key springs the hottest regional meme...
The gentle Qingyi River flows tirelessly into the Yangtze River. The centuries-old Zhongjiang Pagoda, standing by the river for over three hundred years, watches the tides ebb and flow and boats come and go. The life of Wuhu’s people remains as always—carefree, calm, stable, and peaceful.
▲ The ancient Zhongjiang Pagoda and the neon high-rises in the distance complement each other perfectly. Photo/Thomas Fang