Jiangxi — 21st-century backwater

When the Grand Canal was built in the 7th century, linking China’s major waterways, the inland province of Jiangxi suddenly became an important transit point on the overland trade route from Guangdong. Tea growing and silver mining soon created a wealthy merchant class. However by the 19th century, many coastal ports in this region created competition and Jiangxi’s role became less prominent. Traditional and ancient Chinese junks, which made up most of the river craft, slowly disappeared. The province had a rather dubious reputation of being an important Communist guerrilla base in the 20th century, but after many years, the Kuomintang drove the Communists out and on to their ‘Long March’ to Shaanxi.