Migration in Chongqing: Historical Movements
Chongqing has a long history of migration, starting from the Ba people moving upstream and later the large-scale "Huguang Tian Sichuan"（“湖广填四川”） migration, which began during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties and lasted over 500 years. Initially government-led, it later evolved into a combined effort of official guidance and civilian initiative, becoming one of China's most significant migration movements. This profoundly shaped Chongqing's history and population structure.
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Chongqing experienced its third major migration. Before the war, the city's population was around 470,000. However, as the conflict escalated, over 10 million people migrated westward, with more than a million settling in Chongqing. By the end of the war in 1945, the population had reached 1.25 million, making it China's seventh-largest city at the time.
Following the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Third Front Movement brought another wave of migration as factories and research institutions relocated from East China. Later, during the Three Gorges Project in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, over 1.3 million people were relocated for the massive hydroelectric project, marking another significant chapter in Chongqing's migration history. The "Three Gorges Migration Spirit" emerged from this extraordinary relocation effort, emphasizing sacrifice and resilience.
Migration has not only defined Chongqing's demographic structure but also shaped its culture. The city's openness and inclusiveness stem from centuries of population movement and cultural blending. Historical migrations, ranging from the Qin dynasty's forced relocations to the large-scale war-driven movements during the Anti-Japanese War, have profoundly impacted the city's development.
The eight major historical migration events include:
Qin Dynasty Migration (314 BCE): The Qin State relocated 10,000 families to Sichuan, including nobles from the six defeated states.
Late Han Dynasty Migration: During regional wars, tens of thousands from Central China fled to Sichuan. Liu Bei later brought his army from Jingzhou.
Song Dynasty Migration: The Jin invasion in the 12th century caused massive population displacement into Sichuan, with an estimated 2.38 million migrants.
Yuan-Ming Transition Migration: After the Red Turban Rebellion, Sichuan's population was depleted, prompting organized migration from Huguang (modern Hubei and Hunan).
Ming-Qing Migration: Continuous migration waves during the Qing dynasty due to population decline after conflicts, known as the second phase of "Huguang Tian Sichuan."
Second Sino-Japanese War Migration: Over a million people fled to Chongqing, making it a wartime capital and cultural hub, giving rise to the "Shaci Culture" (Shapingba and Ciqikou).
Third Front Construction (1960s): To protect industrial capacity during tensions with Taiwan, factories and families from Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang relocated, increasing the population by over 100,000.
Three Gorges Migration: Over a million people were relocated for the massive hydroelectric project, a historic migration effort in modern times.
These continuous migrations have made Chongqing one of China's most diverse and inclusive cities, shaping its cultural identity and population landscape.
