There is a famous street which has witnessed the many vicissitudes of Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province. Built in 1921, the street was named Sunwen West Road in 1925 to commemorate Sun Yat-sen, a renowned statesman who led the revolution that ended imperial rule in China. Sun used to work there as a doctor and the street became one of his favorite spots in the city due to its diversity and sense of dynamism.
Lights illuminate Sunwen West Road in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province. /CFP
A series of ancient qilou, also known as arcade houses, were built along Sunwen West Road featuring the Nanyang architectural style. Qilou are usually two to four stories high, where the ground floor is used as a storefront. The exquisite wooden carvings, gray stone sculptures, the qilou building complex itself as well as the other unique architectural features are well-preserved on the street, which all help to form a fascinating picture of the long history and rich culture of the city.
The facades of the qilou buildings add to the unique street views found on Sunwen West Road in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province. /CFP
Located in the downtown area, this ancient street is home to around 26 historical buildings and relics. To protect these ancient buildings and help retain their former glory, local authorities launched renovation work on the street in 1995. The old street met the public with a revamped appearance in 1999. Now, the 500-meter-long pedestrian street and Xingzhong square form a popular block retaining the historical and cultural value of the city – while also serving as a business and tourism district. The block was listed as one of China's national-level tourism and leisure blocks in 2023.
An aerial photo shows an illuminated night view of Sunwen West Road in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province. /CFP
On the street, visitors can find the oldest traditional Chinese medicine store in the city built in 1862, the former site of the Yong'an shopping mall established in 1929 and many other stores offering time-honored Chinese brands. As a popular tourist spot, the bronze sculptures depicting people and rickshaws and a famous relief sculpture named "The Story of A Small Town" epitomize local life during the 1920s and 1930s, attracting many visitors to take photos. What's more, the many cafes, bars, restaurants, shops and supporting tourism facilities all combine to offer the perfect travel experience for visitors.