Shashi was founded during the Warring States period as an extension of the Chu capital Ying, its port on the Yangtze.
In modern history it is notable as one of the four ports specified to be opened to the Empire of Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki (17 April 1895, which also ended Chinese imperial claims to Korea). The treaty port grew rapidly into because of this, gaining the moniker of "Little Hankow".[2] Nonetheless, the opening of other coastal ports led to trade moving elsewhere and it gradually declined.
In 1994 it lost its status as a city and was combined with Jingzhou to form Jingsha city.[3]
Administrative divisions
Shashi District administers 6 subdistricts and 4 towns:[4]