NewsVoice recently visited Chikan Old Town in Zhangjiang, southern China, during the typhoon season in cooperation with China Daily and the China Storyteller Partnership. Zhanjiang is a city in Guangdong province, China.
Chikan Old Town’s story began over 370 years ago as a bustling trading port, a crossroads for cultures. Its ancient commercial port thrived during the Qing Dynasty, becoming a hub of economic and cultural exchange, where the East met the West.
Historically, the region was a small fishing port when the French occupied it in 1898. The French forced the Chinese to lease a small enclave of Zhanjiang to them for 99 years.
The French developed the port and demanded exclusive railway and mineral development rights. The French controlled the small enclave until 1943 when the Japanese occupied the area during World War II. General Charles de Gaulle returned the enclave to China in 1946.
Chikan Old Town features over 600 arcaded buildings, the largest and most preserved collection of its kind, dedicated to showcasing the life, trade, and cultural exchanges of the Republic of China era.
Its ancient commercial port, dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty, highlights the historical economic and cultural exchange. The town’s development includes various themed streets and cultural attractions to enhance cultural tourism and provide a comprehensive experience.
Zhanjiang and Chikan Old Town today
Today, Chikan Old Town is China’s only ancient town dedicated entirely to overseas Chinese culture. The town’s arcades, the largest of their kind, are a testament to the architectural genius of the past, blending seamlessly with modern interpretations.
After a meticulous restoration, Chikan is now a tourist destination that blends historic preservation with modern leisure. It hosts cultural halls, museums, and leisure spots.
Explore the cultural streets where each turn brings a new experience. Wander through fashion avenues, traditional souvenir lanes, or European-style boulevards.
Chikan Town isn’t just a destination; it’s a journey through time. It stands as a bridge between eras, inviting all to explore, understand, and cherish.
Text, video, manuscript and voice-over by T. Sassersson
Sources
- Envato.com: Map zoom in video
- China Daily: A visit to Chikan Ancient Street in Zhanjiang
- China Daily: 1840: Why the 19th-century opium wars between imperial China and Britain are still relevant in modern China
- GD Today (Information Office of Guangdong): Discovering a century of charm in Guangdong Chikan Town – Oversea Chinese Hometown