Hongkai

**Hongkai** (红凯; *hóngkǎi*) is the largest city in Xingsu Prefecture, and the seat of the regional government. It lies north of Gen Lake, which runs past its southern ward. As of 2018, the city has a population of 10 million.

The city is served by one airport, Hongkai Airport. However, the Lakun Airport is close enough that, theoretically, a Hongkai citizen could travel from there instead. An airport shuttle bus operates all year round, though does not service privately-owned hotels or bed and breakfasts.

## Etymology

The name 红凯 comes from the words 红 (*hóng*; "resplendent, brilliant") and 凯 (*kǎi*; "victory") and is a reference to the Battle of Hongkai which took place in 1212. The battle, fought between the Xing clan and the Kanshu clan, was the deciding factor in the success of the Xing conquest of the prefecture, and left the city in their control after a triumphant victory.

Before the Battle of Hongkai, the city was known as 桌党 (*zhuōdǎng*; "red port") and was under the government of the Kanshu clan. After the victory of the Xing clan, its name was changed to its current moniker.

In 1456, the city was given the nickname 栾志 (*luán-zhì*; "blue crown") as a reference to Emperor Luanshan's coronation which was held in Hongkai.

## History

### Early history

Hongkai began as a village in the early 6th century, although its exact founders are unknown. Notably, it was one of the first settlements in western Kanton to switch from hunter-gatherer to agricultural lifestyle. Although there was certainly farming activity present in the late 7th century, it is clear that the inhabitants were much more concerned with fishing.

For almost six hundred years, until the 1400s, the powerful Xing clan resided within the walls of the city. During this span of time, Hongkai grew in numbers as hundreds of members of the Xing clan flooded into the town. After the chief's death, the city peaked at a population of 50,000, and continued to grow further. This marked the beginning of Hongkai's transformation into a more significant city.

From 900-1200, Hongkai saw a great increase in religious practice and pioty, with an influx of Qiren monks creating districts of religion (also known as 宗昆, *zōng-kūn*) in the northern ward. This influenced the wider society, with numerous temples and shrines appearing all over the city. The most famous of these is the Hongkai Golden Temple, in which hundreds of rulers' tombs are located.

In the early 1200s, Hongkai's eastern ward became something of a port town, and the humble harbour which had existed there began to blossom into an important trading post. Boats coming from other parts of Kanton, especially the south and east, often frequented the harbour and brought imports for trading and sale. In the same way, Hongkai also sent exports through its harbour. Nowadays, the port is fittingly known as Hongkai Harbour.

### 20th century

In 1907, Jindan University was founded in Hongkai's western ward, offering higher education for the masses. Although starting off as a small and underfunded institution, it is now one of the most famous and respected universities in the country.

In 1908, Hongkai absorbed three neighbouring towns (Danjiu, Ranshu and Kangdo) into its eastern circuit. After only a few years, the remnants of these settlements devolved to a slum area. In 1998, successful efforts were made to refurbish the region and make it habitable once more; it is no longer considered to be a slum.

In 1945, Hongkai began its large-scale manufacture of seafood, which was a big leap for the economy and brought much prosperity to the region. In the mid-1950s, hundreds of canning factories were built around Hongkai in designated 'industry pits', bringing a new era of wealth and employment to the town. Unfortunately many of them would be closed around twenty years later due to health and safety risks.

In 1934, the Emperor's Glasshouse was built in Hongkai's eastern ward under commission of Emperor Yaochen.

In 1957 Hongkai's second university, Hongkai Institute of Arts and Technology, was established due to a growing demand for higher creative education.

On 20th May 1965 at 8:03 AM, the entire city of Hongkai was put on hold for two minutes in mourning for the late Emperor Yaochen. This event took place in over 50 cities nationwide, and became a point of great interest in international newspapers.

In 1977, Hongkai became the seat of Xingsu Prefectural Government. In the same year, the city underwent a period of great restructure and repair. Almost half of the entire city area was completely renovated, with hundreds of old buildings demolished or fixed up. The infrastructure, which had been shaky previously, was reworked with great success.

In 1989, Hongkai City Government helped to fund the building of the Fuling Ski Resort on the slopes of Fuling in the Yangdu Mountains.

### 21st century

In 2001, Hongkai's first subway system was installed, surprisingly late compared to other major cities in the country. The system, named Hongkai Sub-rail, connects almost all of the city except for a few out-lying areas.

In 2011, a statue of Akadami-born politician Yangdu Ka was erected in the city centre.

## Geography

Hongkai lies north of Gen Lake, which serves as the city's main source of water. Its closest city is Guiyan, though it is also neighbouring Lakun. Both cities are connected to Hongkai by bus and train route.

Hongkai also has a number of parks, the largest being Hongkai Gardens, Emperor's Glasshouse and Sunshine Park. Hongkai Gardens, which is the largest of the three, is often used as a festival site, meeting ground and occasionally, a venue for music events.

### Climate

Hongkai has a generally cool climate, with mild summers and snowy winters. Actually it is quite rare for any city to have such heavy snowfall during winter; Hongkai often has over 6 ft of it every year. Summertime is warm but not humid, while winters can reach sub-zero temperatures. June is the rainy season, as it is for most of the west coast.

## Economy

The tertiary sector dominates most of Hongkai's economy. Major industries include retail, tourism and white-collar office work. Hongkai is also known for its excellent seafood, which is routinely exported both nationally and globally; most of Kanton's iconic seafood dishes originated in the Hongkai area.

Tourism is an additional part of Hongkai's economy - because of its rich cultural history, foreigners and Kantonese alike are fascinated by the city.

## Culture and entertainment

### Places of interest

* The Old Factories - a tour featuring some of the now-abandoned canning factories on the outskirts of Hongkai's western wards, built in the 1950s and preserved as buildings of historical and cultural interest.
* Hongkai Fishing Museum - a museum dedicated to documenting Hongkai's growth from its humble beginnings, filled with interesting relics.
* Hongkai Golden Temple - the most iconic of Hongkai's many temples. Named for its unique golden brick, the temple is famous for holding the tomb of Emperor Luanshan, who was crowned in Hongkai in the 18th century. Interesting religious artifacts are also held there, along with the tombs of other ancient rulers.
* The Lantern Market - a night-market held every two weeks in the western ward, lit solely by colourful paper lanterns. Streetlights are turned off especially for the event. Hundreds of stalls are set up, selling traditional crafts, street-foods and souvenirs.
* Hongkai Traditional Bathhouse - a bathhouse preserved from the 1600s. With a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere, it is a popular destination for tourists.

### Parks and gardens

* Hongkai Gardens
* Emperor's Glasshouse
* Sunshine Park
* Hongkai Crabapple Park
* Golden Temple Sun Gardens
* Hongkai Botanical Gardens
* Jindan University Public Gardens
* Liudai Park

### Events/festivals

**January:** the popular winter festival Wintermeet. The main site is at Hongkai Gardens, however it has also been held at Jindan University previously. Participants can enjoy multiple events through the week, including firework displays, fairground nights, traditional dances and more.

**March:** the annual West Coast Gathering. A celebration of the history and culture of Xingsu's east coastal region, mostly focusing on the history of Hongkai. Usually, mass dances and singalongs are held using sea-shanties, traditional poetry and old story-songs.

**July:** the Hongkai Summer Festival. Usually held in various different places throughout the city, it lasts for two weeks (1st-14th of July). Participants celebrate everything that summer brings - good food and drink, warm weather, and general prosperity. Fairs are often held every three days or so.

**August:** Xingsu Shrine Walk. Held on the first week of August and lasting for three or four weeks. The public is invited to come along on a tour of the multiple shrines that are scattered along the outskirts of Xingsu as part of the harvest thanksgiving. Although named after the prefecture, it begins in Hongkai's northern ward.

**October:** the Hongkai Harvest Festival. Very similar in content and length to the Summer Festival. Events include communal feasting, dancing, and costume parades.

## Cuisine

Hongkai is famous for its wide range of seafood delicacies, many of which have become national dishes. Some of the most well-known ingredients include:

* Octopus
* Crab
* Lobster
* Oysters
* Rainbow trout
* Sea urchin

Akadami's southern ward is home to a number of tea breweries. Some breweries will offer guided meditation or yoga in accompaniment to the drink for an extra charge. Chakun, also known as the Tea District, is notoriously filled with hundreds of tea shops selling all kinds of beverages.

## Education

### National universities

* Jindan University
* Hongkai Institute of Arts and Technology

### Public universities

* Hongkai North University
* Hongkai South University
* Hongkai Medical University

### Private universities

* Hongkai University of Science
* Xingjiang University
* Duojian University of Commerce
* Buyan University
* Hongkai Business College
* Xingjiang Institute of Technology