Chikan Old Street, an ancient commercial port in Zhanjiang, Little Paris.

Chikan (District) has been the commercial and cultural center of Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province since ancient times. It has a long history. Even today, there is a grand scene of commercial prosperity in the old street. According to historical records, during the Daoguang period, Chikanji had "a large number of commercial ants" and "a large number of business trips", and more than 400 merchant ships were registered with the government, becoming the commercial logistics center in western Guangdong. The author found a beautiful scenery in the ancient commercial and cultural street of Zhu Min Road in Chikan (near Chenguang Primary School): the Guangzhou Bay Chamber of Commerce, worn out by historical years, put on new clothes, injected youthful vitality, and made people feel that the old city has become beautiful. With the government's capital investment, the Guangzhou Bay Chamber of Commerce has taken on a new look and become a "bright spot" in urban construction.

It is understood that the Guangzhou Bay Chamber of Commerce is located in Zhu Min Road, Chikan District, Zhanjiang City. 1922, businesses in Chikan were built in the former site of bungalow. 1923 broke ground and 1925 was completed. Imitating the design of the French bell tower, it has a two-story reinforced concrete structure with a bell pavilion at the top and a chime to tell the time. It is the earliest modern grand building in Chikan. After the completion of the guild hall, the Guangzhou Bay Chamber of Commerce was established, with more than 30 trade associations and more than 0/000 members. It is the largest chamber of commerce in western Guangdong. 199 1 The former site of Guangzhou Bay Chamber of Commerce was listed as a cultural relic protection unit in Zhanjiang. The ancient historical and cultural street sets off the new image of Guangzhou Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Chikan Ancient Town is the oldest area in Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, and was once one of the most developed areas in Zhanjiang. Chikan was originally just an ancient seaside commercial port, which had begun to take shape as early as the Song Dynasty.

Since the reign of Kangxi in Qing Dynasty, maritime trade has developed rapidly. Businessmen from Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangchao and Qiongya came to Chikan from the sea to do business, and businessmen from Gao Lei also came here by land to do business, and Chikan gradually formed a prosperous commercial port.

Because it was once a colony of France, the architecture was greatly influenced by France. There are also many "Nanyang style buildings" in this area, which are a mixture of1European colonial style buildings in the late 9th century and early 20th century and Lingnan arcade buildings. They are the products of the mixed "Nanyang" culture in Europe and Asia, and have high historical and cultural, landscape appreciation and economic development values.

In addition to western-style buildings, there are winding alleys and large winding Lingnan houses in the old city. The arcade complex was once a brilliant commercial street in the Guangzhou Bay era, showing the commercial tradition of the seaport city. The old style of the old street and old house is of great historical value to the study of the historical process, commercial development, local customs and folk culture of Chikan, and it is also a rare cultural resource of the city.

Xiashan shows the vitality of the city from the historical relics of "Guangzhou Bay"

Footprints left by history and architectural art

A hundred years ago, xiashan district, Zhanjiang City was once the world-famous "Guangzhou Bay French Concession", and the courage of "Guangzhou Bay" attracted Europeans to come here to seek dreams and seek gold. 1897, when the French warship "White Watt" broke into "Guangzhou Bay" to avoid the typhoon, it was tempted by Zhanjiang, a deep-water port, and submitted an official letter to the French government to lease "Guangzhou Bay". 1899, the French invaders occupied Haitou Lane (now Xiashan), which opened the history that Guangzhou Bay was a French colony.

After 45 years of colonial history, Xiashan embodies the national spirit of Zhanjiang people's resistance to France and foreign countries, and also leaves behind fine French ancient buildings, which makes Xiashan rich in French ancient architectural remains: Guangzhou Bay French General Office with typical French characteristics, French steel bars; /kloc-the most popular double-spired Victorian Catholic church in Europe from the 0/2nd century to the 0/5th century; Exquisite and full of charm, Guangzhou Bay HSBC Bank, majestic and solid French military office building, red brick and green tile gospel hall. ...

It adds a little flavor of European architecture to Xiashan, a seaport city. Stroll through Yan 'an Road, Lumeng Road, Yixian Road and Haibin Road in Xiashan, and you will see all the ancient buildings with French style. Stepping on a small street paved with old bluestones, the French ancient buildings left there triggered people to refresh this history.

Architecture is the eye of the city, witnessing the historical changes and development of the city, with high historical and cultural value. The French architecture with a history of over 100 years left by these French colonists is a historical witness of the occupation and colonial rule of Guangzhou Bay by French colonists, and it also has high historical value.

The integration of urban history and urban courage

Looking back at the history of Xiashan, 100-year-old French architecture describes the urban history of Xiashan, making people forget the history of Zhanjiang people's resistance to the law and foreign countries, and trace back the enlightenment of these French ancient buildings to future generations. Some people think that these old buildings in colonial France have recorded our humiliating history and must be completely demolished. Some people think that to clear the history of humiliation is to forget this history full of blood and tears.

These ancient buildings, which have witnessed the vicissitudes of history, have a unique European style (see the right).

A city cannot live without its own history. A city that leaves its own history is a relic that can never unite people and has no future. The old buildings in colonial France solidified the history of colonial France's occupation of Guangzhou Bay and colonial rule. This is a living textbook. It is necessary to build it into a patriotic education base for young people, educate future generations to remember the colonial rule history of "being poor is beaten" and encourage the next generation to strive for honor for the country's prosperity. At that time, these old French colonial buildings were also masterpieces in the history of human architecture and wonderful works of French architectural culture and art. If our government does not take measures to protect and transform these historical and cultural blocks as soon as possible, I believe it will be difficult to find these precious and historic old French buildings in Xiashan after thousands of years.

French loquat and arcade group are typical signs of many old streets in Zhanjiang.

At present, the process of economic and social modernization is extremely rapid, and people are living in a period of great ideological collision and social transformation. How to find the best in pursuing modern artistic effects and protecting historical resources?