The origin of the name Shanghai

The name of Shanghai was first seen in the Shanghai affairs set up by the Northern Song Dynasty in the "Song Hui Yao Collection". Later, the "Water Conservancy Book" written during the Xining period recorded the Shanghai Pudong. In the Song Dynasty, there was a tributary named Shanghai Pu in the lower reaches of Wusong River. The word "pu" originally refers to the place where rivers converge or enter the sea, but in Wudi it often refers to small tributaries of rivers.

The word "Shang" in the names of rivers in the Jiangzuo area often refers to the side close to the source. On the contrary, down refers to the area near the mouth of the river. In today's Tilanqiao area of ​​Hongkou, there is still a place named Xiahai Temple. The developed economy of the Song Dynasty gave birth to the development of the wine industry. The government set up a wine service near Shanghai Pu to collect wine taxes, which was called Shanghai Service, and the name Shanghai spread.

In addition, the abbreviation of Shanghai "Hu" comes from a fishing tool called "Hu" created by local people in ancient times. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the mouth of Songjiang River was called Hudu (today's Hudu). West of the old Qingpu Town in the northeast of Qingpu District, Shanghai). "Book of Jin" and "Book of Liang" mentioned "Shanghai Du" many times. It is also known as "Shen" because it is said that the western area of ​​Shanghai was once the fiefdom of Chun Shenjun, a prince of Chu State.

Extended information:

Shanghai Wu——

Shanghai is originally the name of a river. Later, an agency specializing in the management of wine tax - Liquor Affairs - was set up in this area. Because it was near Shanghai Pudong, it was called Shanghai Wu. Shanghai is adjacent to the river and the sea, with a large flow of people, busy transactions, and a large increase in tax revenue. Because of wine, Shanghai Wu's reputation gradually increased like wine. After the Opium War, Shanghai became a trading port with foreign countries. It suddenly prospered and developed into one of the largest cities in the world.

From a small river, to a tax collection office, and then to one of the largest cities in the world, this is Shanghai’s experience. But its comparable brother went to the sea and took a different path. In the early Ming Dynasty, because the Wusong River was severely silted up, a new river was dug. This river was roughly the lower reaches of the current Suzhou River.

As a result, Xiahaipu was abandoned. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the west bank of the Huangpu River was opened as a concession, and shipyards, wharves, warehouses, and factories were built. Xiahaipu gradually became silted up. In 1922, Hahaepo was completely filled up. The original Xiahaipu became a street and is now Haimen Road. No more going to sea. There is only one dilapidated small temple - Xiahai Temple, which remembers its past.

The good news is that in 1990, with the approval of the religious affairs departments of Shanghai Municipality and Hongkou District, the Shanghai Buddhist Association prepared and restored the Xiahai Temple. It was officially opened on January 30, 1992 and restored as a Buddhist activity venue. Interestingly, there is a monument in the temple, and the inscription is "Shanghai Xiahai Temple". Shanghai and Xiahai were side by side, sitting together again.

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Shanghai