Xining has
a long history, Since remote antiquity, there have
been traces of human activities. Di and Qiang are
the ancient ethnics that first lived in this land.
The remains of ancient culture indicate that the
development of Qinghai can be dated back to 6,0000
years ago. In Xia (c.21st¨C c.16 century B.C.)
and Shang (c.16-11 century B.C.) dynasties, some
of the Di people came and settled down in the east
part of today's Qinghai and started
farming. With the introduction of advanced production
techniques from the Central Plains, farming was
developed considerably, and population also increased.
The Di people was related by marriage with other
ethnic groups. Their decedents became the Han nationality
later.
In the second year of Yuanshou of Emperor Wudi in
West Han Dynasty (121 B.C), the royal government
established a fortress here and built the Xiping
Pavilion overseeing the areas of Yellow and Huangshui
rivers, thus began its control over the eastern
part of Qinghai. Later, it established seven counties
including Linqiang, Anyi, Poqiang, Yunwu, Yujie
and Heguan, formally incorporating this area into
the systems of prefectures and counties of the Central
Plains¡¯ feudal dynasties.
At the beginning of the 4th century, the Tuguhun
people moved into Qinghai and set up a kingdom of
their own. Later it was controlled by the Sui Dynasty
(581-618) which established Xihai and Heyuan prefectures
here.
In the 7th century, King Songtsen Gampo united the
Tibetan Plateau and set up Tubo Dynasty. Then he
took control of tribes in Qinghai. The rein of Tubo
Dynasty lasted for 200 years and made considerable
contributions to the development of Qinghai and
the relationship between Han and Tibetan peoples.
The famous ¡° Tang-Tubo Ancient Road¡± existed for 210 years and exerted far reaching influence
on the fostering of friendly ties between the Han
and Tibetan peoples and the promotion of friendly
coexistence of all nationalities.
In the first year of Baoyuan of Emperor Renzong
in Song Dynasty (960-1279), Shanzhou Prefecture
was changed to Qingtang City. Four other cities,
i.e., Lingu, Xuanwei, Zongge and Miaochuan, were
set up and began the exchange of tea and horses
with the Central Plains. Economy and culture in
the areas of Yellow and Huanshui rivers saw new
progress. In the third year of Chongning (1103)
of Emperor Huizong in Song Dynasty, Shanzhou Prefecture
was changed to Xining Prefecture. The name of Xining
first appeared in History.
In the 13th century, Mongolian people entered Qinghai,
and Kublai Khan ascended the throne. He established
administrations to govern Tubo tribes in Qinghai
and Gansu. In the 18th year of Zhiyuan (1281), a
provincial level government was formed to control
prefectures like Xining
In the 5th year of Hongwu (1372) of Emperor Taizu
in Ming Dynasty, the Xining Prefecture was changed
to Xining Wei ( an administrative division in Ming
Dynasty) Which controlled 6,000 households. Later,
four weis outside of the Great Wall¡ªAnding,
Aduan, Quxian and Handong were established. In the
first year of Hongzhi (1488) of Emperor Xioazong
in Ming Dynasty, a military unit was established
in Xining taking
direct control of the Mongolian and Tibetan groups
and the area near Xining. It also took remote
control of the four weis outside the Great Wall.
The system of mixing Han and
local officials at the beginning of Ming Dynasty
was later evolved into a so-called Tusi system
(a system of appointing national minority hereditary
headmen since Yuan Dynasty). Under the new system,
a series of administrative divisions and government
departments were set up.
At the beginning of the 16th century, Heshuote
fribe, one of the four tribes of Elute Mongolia,
moved to Qinghai. In the first year of the reign
of Emperor Yongzheng in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911),
the rebellion of Lubuzangdanjin was suppressed.
Since then, the Qing Dynasty enhanced its control
and development of Gansu, Ningxia and Qinghai
provinces. It appointed a special minister to
oversee the 29 Mongolian tribes and the affairs
in Southern Qinghai and Yushu area. In northeast
Qinghai, Xining Fu (a feudal administrative division)
was founded which inherited the Tusi system in
Ming Dynasty and was under the jurisdiction of
Gansu Province.
In 1912, the Northern Warlords government appointed
Ma Qi as the highest military commander of Xining.
In 1915, Ma was entrusted to military and minority
affairs concerning Mongolian nationality and Gansu,
Ningxia and Qinghai provinces. Since then, the
ma's warlords controlled Qinghai for
almost 40 years with the support of Kuomingtang
government. In 1929, Qinghai Province was formally
founded.
After the founding of the People's
Republic of China in 1949, the backward, cruel
feudal warlords rule was overthrown, and a new
democratic government was set up in Qinghai.
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