Sun Yat-sen once said: If China moves its capital to this city, it is expected to dominate Asia! Do you know which city it is?
Sun Yat-sen, the father of the nation, a great figure who changed the historical trajectory of the Chinese nation, was praised by the world for his depth of thought and foresight. Behind every decision and every remark of his lies his deep thinking and ardent expectations for the land of China. Among the many historical figures with whom he spoke, Zhang Taiyan was undoubtedly one of the scholars who had deep exchanges with Sun Yat-sen.
In a private conversation in 1902, Sun Yat-sen and Zhang Taiyan talked about the future of China, and for the two thinkers of that era, how to choose a capital was particularly important. In this exchange, Sun Yat-sen expressed a point of view that deeply shocked future generations: "If the headquarters is Wuchang, if the domain is subordinate, Xi'an, and if the continent is obeyed, then Ili." "Three places, three choices, but show us Sun Yat-sen's political wisdom and national strategic vision.
Ili, a place far from the center, but full of charm. Today, many people may be surprised by Sun Yat-sen's view, why did the founding father value this land in China's northwestern frontier so much. Why does he think that this may be the key to the rise of the Chinese nation?
First of all, Ili has a very special significance in terms of geographical location. It is located in the northwest of China, bordering several countries, and can be said to be the transportation hub of Asia. Controlling Ili led to an important passage into and out of Central Asia, which was of great significance to China, which was in urgent need of communication with the outside world at that time.
In addition, Ili is also the main point of the ancient Silk Road North Road. The Silk Road, an ancient trade route, not only connected the economies of the East and the West, but also connected the cultures of the East and the West. To choose Ili is to choose a city with rich history and culture.
And this is exactly what Sun Yat-sen was after. As a great statesman, Sun Yat-sen knew that the development of a country should not only rely on the economy, but also be supported by culture. Ili is such a perfect combination.
The unique charm of Ili
Ili is adjacent to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other countries, because of its special geographical location, known as Asia's traffic hub. As the old saying goes: "Location determines destiny", it is precisely because of this location that Ili has become an important node of the ancient Silk Road, and thus gathered a variety of civilizations to form its unique humanistic charm.
Of course, when it comes to the charm of Ili, we can't ignore its stunning natural beauty. There is a vast grassland, the green is like a huge canvas, sprinkled with various wildflowers, and herds of horses gallop freely in it, as if it were a poetry of nature. And those turquoise lakes, like gems set on the earth, their beauty is pleasant. Not only that, Ili also has many mountains, canyons and scenic spots, each of which seems to be a work of art carefully carved by God, bringing endless surprises to visitors.
Speaking of the cultural attractions of Ili, Six Star Street is a stop not to be missed. It was once a commercial center during the Qing Dynasty, and old buildings and streets still remain. Walking on Six Star Street, it is as if you can travel back to that prosperous era and feel the lively scene of merchants gathering and goods at that time. The unique architectural style here not only has the charm of Chinese tradition, but also integrates the characteristics of the Western Regions, showing people the collision and integration of Ili's diverse cultures.
General Ili's Mansion is another place full of historical charm. This is the residence of a Qing dynasty general, which has become a tourist attraction today. Here, you can see the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty, those exquisite wood carvings, antique furniture, all seem to tell one story after another. Every brick and tile carries the memory of history, they bear witness to the glorious history of Ili, and also record the prosperity and changes of that era.
When it comes to Huiyuan Ancient City, this is an important node of the ancient Silk Road. This ancient city was built in the Han Dynasty and has been built many times and still stands today. The bricks and stones on the city walls tell the story of thousands of years of ups and downs, while the streets and buildings in the city show the way of life and culture of ancient people. Huiyuan Ancient City, like a living history museum, shows people the ancient civilization and glorious history of Ili.
Ili, this land full of charm, whether it is its beautiful natural scenery or those cultural attractions full of historical charm, shows people a diverse and unique culture. It is a place where many civilizations are integrated, and every land, every building, and every person tells the story of Ili, those stories about history, culture and nature. And these stories are part of the charm of Ili, and why Sun Yat-sen values this land so much.
The rich historical background and culture of Ili
When many people think of Ili, the first thing that comes to mind is its natural scenery and cultural landscape, but this land also hides a rich history and culture, which is its true charm. As Mencius said, "He who does not know the past cannot understand the present." "To understand Ili more deeply, we must delve into its history.
The history of Ili dates back to the time of the ancient Silk Road. As a major route for cultural exchanges between the East and the West in ancient times, Ili naturally became an important node on the Silk Road. From ancient Rome to Central Asia to the land of China, trade and culture converged here. It is not only the center of commodity trading, but also the meeting point of ideas and culture, opening a valuable window for cultural exchanges between China and the West. As the ancients said: "One side of the water and soil nurtures the other", the special geographical location of Ili has made it a melting pot of cultures, attracting many travelers, merchants and scholars.
The historical, architectural and cultural heritage of Ili is a testimony to this history. Ancient buildings, sculptures and paintings silently tell the story of what happened in this land. Not only that, Ili has also made important contributions to Chinese history. Monuments such as General Yili's Mansion and Huiyuan Ancient City are not only representatives of ancient architecture, but also part of Chinese history. They have witnessed the rise and fall and changes of Chinese civilization and have also provided us with valuable historical information.
In addition to those architectural and cultural heritages, the history of Ili is also reflected in folk traditions, customs and folk art. These cultural traditions are not only historical memories, but also part of the life of the Ili people. They showcase the cultural heritage of Ili and provide us with a unique perspective on the land.
Here, the old and the modern, tradition and innovation, East and West are perfectly blended. This cultural blend and collision has brought unique charm to Ili and injected new vitality into Chinese culture. This profound cultural heritage makes Ili not only a bright star of Xinjiang, but also a treasure land of the Chinese nation.