Why does a classic Chinese proverb suggest you should spend your final days in Liuzhou?
In short: Liuzhou is a major industrial hub in Guangxi, but it is equally famous for an ancient saying about the ideal life path. The city was historically renowned for crafting high-quality coffins, leading to the belief that it was the best place to pass away and be laid to rest.
Liuzhou, a prefecture-level city in north-central Guangxi, has a history spanning over 2,100 years. Founded in 111 B.C. as Tanzhong, it was later renamed Longcheng in 742 A.D. before adopting its current name in 1736. The city is defined by the winding Liu River, which is central to local life, tradition, and even the city's identity. Beyond its history, Liuzhou is a significant industrial center, hosting major manufacturers like LiuGong and SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile.
The city's reputation for death-related craftsmanship is immortalized in a well-known Chinese saying that maps out an ideal life: birth in Suzhou, living in Hangzhou, dining in Guangzhou, and dying in Liuzhou. Historically, Liuzhou was celebrated for producing exceptional coffins from fir, camphor, and sandalwood, which were prized for their ability to preserve the body. Today, this legacy persists in a lighter form, as tourists purchase miniature coffin souvenirs inscribed with phrases that serve as homophones for wealth and career advancement.
Beyond its cultural quirks, Liuzhou is a site of deep historical and archaeological significance. The Liujiang men, some of the earliest modern humans found in East Asia, were discovered in the region's caves. In more recent history, the city served as a critical strategic point during World War II, housing the Liuchow Airfield used by American and Nationalist Chinese forces. Today, it remains a vital transportation hub for freight and a gateway to the diverse ethnic minority villages of the surrounding karst landscape.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Liuzhou
- Also: Wikidata — Liuzhou · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Liuzhou · CC0
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