Note: Dongguan City is a real location; however, certain details may be altered for creative purposes.
Dongguan (东莞: East Salt Grass Field) is a city located on the eastern bank of the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong Province, China. Known for its high-tech industry sector, it is also an ancient city with a rich cultural heritage.
Neolithic Age
The history of Dongguan dates back to the Neolithic Age. The neolithic human remains found at Haogang (蚝岗: Oyster Shell Mound) Village in Nancheng (南城: South Downtown) are the earliest known ones in the Pearl River Delta, dating back 5,500-6,000 years. This makes Haogang Village recognized as the “First Village of the Pearl River Delta.”
East Salt Field and Name Change
The Dongguan area was inhabited by the Baiyue peoples during the Spring and Autumn Period and came under central government control from the Qin Dynasty onward. During the Three Kingdoms period, the kingdom of Wu established “East Salt Fields” (东官, Dongguan) here. Salt production became vital to the region, with place names like “Beizha” (北栅: North Field) and “Nanzha” (南栅: South Field) reflecting this heritage.
In times of turmoil, many northern people migrated south. After abolishing Dongguan County (东莞: East Salt Grass Field) in Shandong Province, the Tang Dynasty renamed 东官 (dong1guan1) to 东莞 (dong1guan3). Dongguan in Shandong was part of the Tan kingdom (郯国) during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, which is where the Tan surname (谭) originated. Coincidentally, this surname is prominent in Dongguan’s Humen (虎门) town, where ancient salt fields were located, suggesting a connection between these places.
The Historic Town of Guancheng
The historic town of Guancheng (莞城: Old Downtown of Dongguan) is divided into two parts, each built during the Song Dynasty and Ming Dynasty. The iconic Ying’en City Gate (迎恩门: Imperial Edict Gate), is located in the east. In the east of the town, an ancient city wall has been preserved. The town’s ancient moat is still flowing underground, and many ancient bridges are buried underground as well.
Xiangta Street (象塔街) in Guancheng has uncovered a stone sutra pagoda from the Southern Han Dynasty (南汉), known as the “Xiangta” (象塔: Elephant Pagoda). It records the event of an elephant that caused trouble and was exterminated, leading to the erection of a pagoda to pacify its restless spirit.
According to folklore, the elephant belonged to an Indian Buddhist monk who let it escape, resulting in crop damage and its subsequent extermination. The monk exploited local superstitions to build both the pagoda and a Buddhist temple, claiming he was “suppressing the restless spirit of the elephant.” Thus, Zifu Buddhist Temple (资福寺: The Temple of Fortune) was established.
Leiting studies at Zhizheng Primary School, located on the historic site of Zifu Temple. The campus features a Marble Diamond Sutra Pagoda that houses two Buddha relics donated by the renowned writer Su Shi (苏轼) during his exile in Guangdong. He even wrote an article to commemorate this donation. Additionally, the school once had a large bronze bell donated by Iranian merchants during the Yuan Dynasty’s Zhizheng period (至正: Absolute Justice). This bell inspired the school’s name, and a replica is currently displayed on campus.
When Zifu Temple was demolished and moved, its glazed roof tiles were used to renovate the Ying’en City Gate. The Elephant Pagoda and Zhizheng Bronze Bell are now displayed in Dongguan Museum as part of the city’s heritage.
The Phoenix Legend
In the southwest of Guancheng lies Taoist Mountain (道家山), home to a now-demolished Taoist temple with a prominent tower. Legend has it that a phoenix rested here in ancient times, inspiring nearby locations like Fengtai (凤台: Phoenix’s Pavilion) and Fenglai Alley (凤来里: Phoenix Residence). The phoenix thus became the mascot of Guancheng. However, after Leiting transformed into a spirit loong, Qiuye suspects this “phoenix” may refer to something else.
International Relationships
Dongguan is located at the entrance of the Pearl River and was a key node on the ancient Maritime Silk Road, rich in international communication history. It features memorials such as the Zifu Buddhist Temple established by an Indian monk, the Zhizheng Bronze Bell donated by Iranian merchants, and the “Que Jin Ting Stele” (却金亭碑: Memorial Stele about the Refusal of Bribes) praising customs officials’ integrity from Siamese merchants.
After the Song Dynasty’s collapse, renowned neo-Confucian scholar Li Yong traveled to Japan to spread teachings. His remains were later escorted back to Dongguan by his Japanese disciples after his death.
Dongguan is also significant for its role in the Opium War, marked by events like the Destruction of Opium at Humen. The city hosts an Opium War Memorial with the original opium destruction pits and coastal defense fortresses at Weiyuan and Shajiao.
The People’s Hospital of Dongguan originated as Puji (普济: Prussian) Hospital established by Germans, known locally as “Honglou Hospital” (红楼医院: Red Wall Hospital) due to its architectural style. Today, the branches of the hospital still carry these names.
Since Reform and Opening-Up, Dongguan has attracted many foreigners and businesses due to its strategic location near Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. The city is now recognized for its manufacturing industry. Many foreign spirit animals are also living in the city.
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