Huangpu Ancient Port and Ancient Village Historical-Cultural Scenic Area

Huangpu Ancient Port and Ancient Village Historical-Cultural Scenic Area

Huangpu Ancient Port was a window into China’s golden age of maritime trade during the 17th and 18th centuries. It also served as a hub for economic and cultural exchanges between China and the West, witnessing the prosperity of the “Maritime Silk Road.”

Huangpu Ancient Village is an important historical and cultural site in Guangzhou and a testament to the city’s glorious maritime trade history. The village flourished because of Huangpu Ancient Port, producing many talented individuals. To this day, the village preserves numerous relics such as ancient ports, ancestral halls, temples, traditional residences, and former homes of notable figures.

Huangpu Ancient Port is located in Shiji Village, Pazhou Street, Xingang East Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (now). Enter the village from the western road, and you’ll be greeted by a towering, resplendent modern archway inscribed with the two large characters “凰洲” (Phoenix Isle). On the southern side of the village, near a branch of the Pearl River, there is another colorful archway inscribed with “凤浦” (Phoenix Port). Legend has it that in ancient times, a pair of phoenixes once flew to this place, bringing prosperity and bountiful harvests. The village is situated on a small island; areas by the water are called “浦” (pu), and landmasses in the water are called “洲” (zhou), hence the village name “凰洲” or “凤浦,” which later evolved into “黄埔” (Huangpu). It was rebuilt due to the visit of the replica Swedish ship Götheborg. The merchant vessel Götheborg was built by the Swedish East India Company in 1738 and made three trips to Guangzhou, sailing along the Maritime Silk Road. On September 12, 1745, on its third return voyage from China loaded with Chinese porcelain, silk, tea, and other goods, the ship encountered a storm and unfortunately sank at the entrance of Gothenburg Harbor. Legend says that the cargo salvaged from the sunken Götheborg, after accounting for the loss of the ship and salvage costs, still yielded a profit—thus further boosting the prosperity of China’s Maritime Silk Road.

Huangpu Ancient Port witnessed the prosperity of Guangzhou’s “Maritime Silk Road.” Since the Song Dynasty, Huangpu Village played a significant role in overseas trade for a long time. During the Southern Song Dynasty, this place was already known as a “gathering spot for seafaring ships.”

After the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Huangpu Village gradually developed into an outer port for Guangzhou’s foreign trade.

According to the *History of Huangpu Port*, over an 80-year period from the 23rd year of Qianlong’s reign (1758) to the 17th year of Daoguang’s reign (1837), a total of 5,107 foreign merchant ships anchored at Huangpu Ancient Port. In the 22nd year of Qianlong’s reign (1757), the isolationist Qing court abolished the customs offices in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian, retaining only the Canton Customs and designating Guangzhou as the sole foreign trade port for over 80 years. During this time, Huangpu Ancient Port rapidly developed. Here were facilities such as the Huangpu Tax Office, Foreign Affairs Office, and comprador agencies. Foreign merchant ships had to report here and be guided into the harbor by Chinese pilots before unloading, transferring cargo, and completing tax procedures, after which goods could be traded in the Thirteen Hongs. Over the 80 years, more than five thousand foreign merchant ships anchored at Huangpu Ancient Port, and Huangpu Village became a bustling and thriving ancient town. This vibrant atmosphere naturally nurtured a business-oriented mindset among locals. Later, due to silting and narrowing of the river, the ancient port was relocated to Changzhou Island but retained the name Huangpu Port. It is said that Shanghai’s Huangpu River also derived its name from the fame of this ancient port.

Huangpu Village and Huangpu Ancient Port were once visited by the “Götheborg,” a ship that came from far-off Europe. The Pearl River flows gently like a jade ribbon past Pazhou Pagoda and the vast fruit orchards. Not far away, a massive modern structure—the Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center—has emerged quietly. According to reliable sources, the Canton Fair will be held here in the future. History has come full circle—the ancient Maritime Silk Road and modern international trade events have once again found their meeting point in the Huangpu Ancient Port area.

Address: Shiji Village & Huangpu Village, Xingang East Road, Pazhou, Haizhu District, Guangzhou City

Tel: 020-84135753

Admission: Free

Buses: Tourist Sightseeing Bus Line 1, 137, 262, 564, 762 to Huangpu Village Station; Tourist Line 3, 229 to Pazhou Shiji Village (Huangpu Ancient Port) Terminal

Metro: Line 8 to Pazhou Station Exit C or Wanshengwei Station Exit B, then transfer to Tourist Line 3 or 229 bus

Tram: Transfer to Tourist Line 3 or 229 bus at Wanshengwei Station

Parking Info: Parking available, 8 RMB/hour

Opening Hours: Open all year round

Recommended Visiting Time: 3 hours

Huangpu Ancient Village

Huangpu Ancient Port Ruins

Yuehai First Pass Memorial Hall