Former Site of the Qiaopi Bureau on Heping Road

Former Site of the Qiaopi Bureau on Heping Road

The former site of the Qiaopi Bureau on Heping Road is a cultural relics protection unit of Guangzhou.

The former site of the Qiaopi Bureau on Heping Road is located at No. 50, Heping East Road, Liwan District, dating back to the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period.

For a long time in the past, a unique form of correspondence related to overseas communication flourished in Guangdong’s overseas Chinese hometowns—Qiaopi (the term “批,” pronounced “pī,” is a colloquial word for letter in regions such as Chaoshan and Meizhou, and is referred to as “银信,” or “silver letter,” in Jiangmen area). It refers to remittance slips sent back to China from overseas Chinese through informal channels and later via financial or postal institutions, often accompanied by family letters or brief messages. These belong to a special category of folk documentary heritage. They are not just letters but also archival testimonies of extensive connections between overseas Chinese hometowns and the outside world, representing a collective memory legacy. Currently, there are 160,000 pieces in total from Guangdong and Fujian, with Guangdong accounting for 140,000.

Qiaopi flourished on a large scale from the mid-19th century and continued until the 1970s, spanning over 150 years. In early 2007, the Guangdong Provincial Archives Bureau took the lead in launching rescue and heritage application efforts in collaboration with various localities. After six years of concerted work, it was recognized as part of China’s Documentary Heritage in 2010. In May 2012, it was included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register for Asia and the Pacific. In June of this year, a review meeting by the International Advisory Committee of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, held in South Korea, will make the final decision on whether the “Qiaopi Archives” can be inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

In December 2008, it was announced as part of the seventh batch of cultural relics protection units of Guangzhou.

Longgang Town: Located in the northern part of Fengshun County, Longgang Town has a population of 19,000 and is a well-known revolutionary base area. Today, Longgang thrives both internally and through external support, with its people living in peace and prosperity, all industries flourishing, and constant renewal underway. Thanks to reform and opening-up and cultural advancement, the town has achieved remarkable results and is sailing forward with strong winds at its back.

The Party Committee and government of Longgang Town adhere to the principle of "promoting both material and spiritual civilization." Since the reform and opening-up, significant progress has been made in both aspects within the town. High-yield agriculture has taken initial shape, and comprehensive development of mountainous areas has formed a new pattern. Infrastructure is increasingly improved, roads have been paved, and the communications sector has seen unprecedented growth... More details about Longgang Town++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Cultural Relics Protection Units of Guangzhou