Doumen Ancient Street

Doumen Ancient Street

Doumen Ancient Street is located in Doumen Market, Doumen Town, stretching over 500 meters. After the Opium War in 1840, China opened its doors to the outside world. At that time, Doumen Town frequently saw ships traveling between Hong Kong, Macau, Jiangmen, Shiqi, Guangzhou, and other places, attracting many merchants. On market days, which fell on the 2nd, 5th, and 8th of each lunar month, the streets were bustling with activity and trade in agricultural and sideline products thrived. In addition to the merchants and workshops in the market, there were also itinerant peddlers and roving adventurers, representing all walks of life, making the market crowded and vibrant. Amid this lively scene, many foreign businessmen were drawn to Doumen Town, flocking there to invest and start businesses, leading to an influx of foreign goods in the streets.

This gradually accelerated the exchange of Sino-Western commercial culture. Around 1850, Westerners such as Rev. J. W. Carey, a Canadian pastor and architectural engineer from the "Macau Baptist Church", as well as Catholic priests Geng Qiguang (French), Coulihua (French), and Ji Liyun (a German-born Belgian) from Guangzhou and Shiqi, frequently visited Doumen Town to preach, further enhancing religious and cultural exchanges between China and abroad.

Due to the rapid development of commerce and trade, the existing buildings in the old market streets could no longer meet the growing demands. As a result, foreign merchants and local wealthy businessmen collaborated to plan the construction of new streets and buildings. Under their initiative, Canadian architect J. W. Carey and others oversaw the planning and design, drawing inspiration from classical architecture across Europe and America. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, over ten fabric shops such as Kwong Ying Cheung, Tai Cheong, and Cheung Shing; several department stores including Mei Sun and Mei Tak; traditional Chinese medicine shops like Tong Wo Tong, Da An Tong, and Tong Ren Tang; more than twenty rice shops such as Hop Cheong, Tai Fung, Ching On, Hap Wo Hong, and Hau Shun Hong; and four money houses including Wing Cheong Shan Hwo and Cheong Wing were built one after another. In addition to these shops, Christians built a Gospel Hall, while Catholics constructed a church with a distinctive German-style two-story building.

The street-front buildings largely feature the distinctive southern architectural style of “arcade buildings,” creating a magnificent sight. These structures form the main features of Doumen Town’s Qing Dynasty-era ancient street with foreign flair, making it the only relatively well-preserved ancient street in Zhuhai City today.

Address: Old Street, Doumen Avenue, Doumen Town, Doumen District, Zhuhai City

Transportation: Take bus routes 609 or 402 and get off at Nanmen Station

Type: Themed Neighborhood

Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Opening Hours: Open all day

Ticket Information: No admission fee.

Information Source: Doumen Town Government Website

Doumen Community: The Doumen Community Neighborhood Committee is located on Minzhu Street in Doumen Town, situated in the central area of the town. Under the direct leadership of the Doumen Town Party Committee and Town Government, and guided by the important thought of the “Three Represents,” the community earnestly implements the directives from higher authorities. It is committed to serving residents, actively carrying out work related to community party building, urban management, community health, public security, family planning, safety production, civil affairs, and reemployment. The community area spans from the Longshan intersection in Doumen to the area of Imperial Hot Springs, covering approximately 1.5 square kilometers, and includes: Doumen Avenue, He Feng North-South Street, Minzhu Street, Da Ma Lu, Er Ma Lu, Nan… More detailed information about Doumen Community ++