Ding'an: Culture and History of Dingcheng

If you are looking for a hotel in Ding'an, Dingcheng's historical and cultural themes can help you understand the destination in light of your interests. Dingcheng is a national historical and cultural city. The town has more than 700 years of cultural heritage, a diverse local culture, and a rich revolutionary heritage, giving it significant historical and cultural value. The following highlights range from the layout of the old town to agriculture and cuisine.

Dingcheng's history and the old town

Dingcheng was formerly called Dingyang. In 1370, the county government seat was moved here, after which the town was called Dingcheng. The old town of Ding'an in Dingcheng began to be laid out around the county government seat of the time in 1513. The dates mark two different steps: 1370 refers to the relocation of the government seat; from 1513, the old town began to take shape around it. The former name Dingyang and the name Dingcheng thus belong to different periods in the town's history.

Four streets, one Guang-shaped pattern

The old town comprises four main streets: Dongmen Jie, Ximen Jie, Beimen Jie, and Zhongnanmen Jie. Together, they form a Guang-shaped pattern. This spatial layout complements the town's history: the old town developed around the county government seat of the time, and its four main streets combine to create the pattern described. It is therefore helpful to consider the street names as parts of a single urban pattern rather than listing them individually. This makes it possible to understand the layout both through its period of development and through the way the streets fit together.

Irrigation canal and former wharf

The Longzhou Irrigation Canal is man-made, runs from southwest to northeast, and crosses all of Dingcheng. This clearly describes the waterway's construction, direction, and extent. The former wharf in Dingcheng served a different purpose: it was a hub for historical water transport and the handling of goods. Following the construction of a dam downstream, the wharf is no longer in use. The canal and wharf represent different connections to water in the town: the canal serves irrigation, while the wharf is part of the history of transport and cargo handling. Its former function and its present-day disuse should be clearly distinguished.

Cherry tomatoes and harvest events

Cherry tomatoes are among Dingcheng's ten agricultural brands; their availability may vary seasonally. In 2023, Tanli hosted an agricultural tourism harvest festival for cherry tomatoes titled “相约定安春天，品圣女果香甜”. On March 29, a cherry tomato harvest season was launched at the Longzhouyang cherry tomato base in Tanli. The event included a main event area, an area for learning and picking, a variety tasting and sales area, and a cultivation education area. These details highlight both the agricultural importance of the tomatoes and the specific event areas devoted to harvesting, learning, and varieties.

Rice noodle soup in Ding'an's old town

On Dongmen Street in Ding'an's old town, the couple Wu Zhiqiang prepare handmade rice noodles for noodle soup. The dish uses broth made with Ding'an black pigs and locally grown selenium-rich rice. The preparation thus combines two specifically named ingredients with handmade noodles. As a local culinary reference, the soup complements the themes of history and agriculture with a dish from the old town.

Discover more destinations: Xinzhuzhen, Danzhou, Baisha, Wanning, Tunchang, Ledong, Haikou, Dongfang

For the overview of the wider region: Hainan.