What was Shenzhen used to be called?

"Market" with immigrant color

Today's Shenzhen River winds through the bustling downtown area, hence the name "Shenzhen". "Shenzhen" refers to "Tianbiangou" and "Shenzhen" is a "deep ditch".

According to the Records of Xin 'an County compiled during the reign of Kangxi in Qing Dynasty, Shenzhen River not only has a long history, but also has a fast-flowing water. When it rains, there will be floods, which makes it very difficult for residents to travel. People often "don't know the depth, but they are drowned." So, under the auspices of Liao Yingchong, the chief inspector of the local public security department, in the 28th year of Kangxi, a "Huimin Bridge" was built on the Shenzhen River, made of stone, which is the predecessor of today's "Ren Minqiao".

As a place name, "Shenzhen" first appeared in the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. That is the name of a small "market" and also the name of an outpost. At that time, the garrison was only 10.

The "market" was originally a formal rural fair, and people would disperse after the transaction was completed. But by the Kangxi period of Qing Dynasty, the "market" in Xin 'an County had developed into a market with fixed residents, and most of them were formed in places with convenient transportation. Although the Shenzhen market is small, it is quite famous.

In fact, the name "Shenzhen" not only bears geographical traces, but also bears the color of immigrant culture. It is a new word brought by Hakka immigrants to the south.

Generally speaking, after moving to a new place, immigrants often use old place names to express their roots. Usually, immigrants do not copy their original names, but use the same place names as their places of origin. Historically, some Hakkas in Lingnan area moved from northern Fujian and southern Zhejiang. The common place names in these areas are Keng, Tan, Yang, Ping and Zhen.

There is also a "Shenzhen" with the same name in Zhejiang, besides Yu 'an in Lishui, Zhejiang, and Shenzhen Head in Yongkang. Wenjia Town, Jinxian County, Jiangxi Province, Pingxiang Town and Hejia Town; Yuandong, Xinning Town, Hunan Province; Toukeng, Dabu Town, Guangdong Province, Gaozhen, Meixian County, etc. These place names appeared after the Song Dynasty. They are ancient Chinese brought by northerners to the south, which evolved into dialects in the south and produced dialect place names.