Zhuhai Road Old Street

Zhuhai Road Old Street

Zhuhai Road is an old street with a history of over a hundred years. Built in 1883, it stretches 1.44 kilometers in length and is 9 meters wide. The street is lined with arcade-style buildings that blend Chinese and Western architectural elements. Most of these structures are two to three stories high, largely influenced by the Western colonnaded buildings such as consulates constructed by Britain, France, Germany, and other countries in the city during the late 19th century. The window tops along both sides of the street are mostly designed with arched structures, and the arch edges as well as the tops of the window pillars are adorned with carved decorative lines—fluid in form and exquisitely crafted. The varied styles of decorations and reliefs on the street-facing walls form two sets of aerial sculpture galleries in the northern and southern sections. The arcade portions of these buildings serve both as extensions of the road to the sides and expansions of the shops outward. Pedestrians walking under the arcades are sheltered from wind and rain, as well as from the scorching sun. The square pillars of the arcades are thick and sturdy, bearing a strong resemblance to the style of ancient Roman architecture. Before 1927, Zhuhai Road was the most bustling commercial district in Beihai, with shops densely packed. The middle section mainly housed stores selling silk fabrics from Suzhou and Hangzhou, while the eastern section specialized in dried seafood such as squid, sandworms, shrimp, and fish. The western section, close to Waisha Port, was entirely dedicated to fishing supplies, including ropes, fishing nets, hooks, lamps, sailcloth, and nails. Over time, Zhuhai Road gradually lost its former vibrancy. Aside from a handful of shops still selling fishing gear, most have been converted into residences. The buildings along the street have aged, but thanks to its relatively well-preserved state, Zhuhai Road is still hailed by historians and architects as a “modern architectural chronicle.” The renowned writer Shu Yi (son of Lao She) remarked that Zhuhai Road is identical to Singapore’s nationally treasured old street and suggested that the city protect this highly valuable street for future development. British architectural expert Mr. Baird noted that the historical and cultural value of Zhuhai Road is significant not only to Beihai but also to South China, all of China, and even the world. Pierre Bourque, Mayor of Montreal, Canada, recommended that Beihai apply to UNESCO to designate Zhuhai Road as a World Cultural Heritage site for preservation.