Marine silk road map [Photo/China.org.cn]
Guangdong is one of the most important birthplaces and pioneers of ancient Maritime Silk Road (MSR).
Lots of relics and scenic spots here have witnessed the province’s MSR history. Recently, 10 sites were chosen as the MSR landmarks in Guangdong.
Top 10 MSR landmarks in Guangdong
► Guangzhou Shi San Hang, including Guangzhou Shi San Hang Museum, Jinlun Guild Hall, Canton Customs Museum, Guangzhou Postal Service Exhibition Hall and Shamian (广州十三行，包括广州十三行博物馆、锦纶会馆、粤海关博物馆、广州邮政博览馆、沙面）
► Guangzhou Huangpu Ancient Port (广州黄埔古港)
► Shenzhen Nantou Chiwan Port MSR site (深圳南头·赤湾丝路历史文化古迹)
► Shantou Zhanglin Ancient Port (汕头樟林古港)
► Chaozhou kiln on Bijia Mountain (潮州宋代笔架山窑)
► Jieyang Huilai coastal MSR site (揭阳惠来沿海海丝遗迹)
► Meizhou Songkou Ancient Town (梅州松口古镇)
► Zhanjiang Xuwen Ancient Port (湛江徐闻古港)
► Maoming Binhai New Area MSR site (茂名滨海新区海丝遗迹)
► Qingyuan Zhenyang Gorge (清远浈阳峡)
Pearl River Delta region - Guangzhou
△ Guangzhou Shi San Hang Museum [Photo/Southcn.com]
Guangzhou Shi San Hang Museum houses more than 1,600 pieces (sets) cultural objects. Permanent exhibitions include exhibition of the history of Guangzhou Shi San Hang in the Qing Dynasty and exhibition of cultural relics from the Thirteen Hongs period.
△ Jinlun Guild Hall [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
Jinlun Guild Hall was established during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty. Its buildings are important evidence of China’s MSR and demonstration of Guangzhou’s silk trade development.
△ Canton Customs Museum [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
Canton Customs is one of the most ancient customs in China. It was also the only customhouse for handling the import and export trade during the trading period of the Qing Dynasty. So it is an indispensable topic when talking about MSR.
△ Guangzhou Postal Service Exhibition Hall [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
In Guangzhou Postal Service Exhibition Hall, you can get to know the Postal Office of the Qing Dynasty, which was an important participant of the prosperity of Shi San Hang.
△ Shamian [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
Shamian used to be a storage for merchants of Shi San Hang in the first place. After 1861, it became a concession. It is now an “outdoor museum” of European style architecture.
△ Guangzhou Huangpu Ancient Port [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
In 1757, the Qing government shut down all the other customs and kept Canton Customs as the “Only Port for Foreign Trade”, thus making Guangzhou the only foreign trade port of the time and Huangpu Ancient Port an important platform for the globalization of foreign trade.
Pearl River Delta region - Shenzhen
△ Shenzhen Nantou Chiwan Port MSR site [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
Chiwan was one of the starting points and only ways which must be passed for the voyage of ancient MSR. It witnessed many historical events and cultural exchange in the history of China.
East Guangdong
△ Shantou Zhanglin Ancient Port [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
According to historical materials, Shantou Zhanglin Ancient Port was up in the ascendant during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty and became the most trade port in Chaozhou during the reigns of Emperors Qianlong and Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty. It was hailed as the gathering place of foreign trade in East Guangdong.
△ Chaozhou kiln on Bijia Mountain [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
In the Northern Song Dynasty, Chaozhou kiln on Bijia Mountain represented the highest level of ceramics in Lingnan area. One batch after another of porcelains were made from this kiln and shipped abroad. The porcelains and kiln furniture unearthed from the kiln show a rough idea of that.
△ Jieyang Huilai coastal MSR site [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
Huilai has a long history and profound culture regarding MSR. There are so many cultural relics and historic sites that have witnessed the history of MSR, including intact Jinghai Ancient Town, Shenquan Port, Jinghai Customs and Stone Mountain Lighthouse.
△ Meizhou Songkou Ancient Town [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
Meizhou Songkou Ancient Town is located at the junction of Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces, with with good location and convenient land and water transportation. It was once the second largest inland ports in Guangdong. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, Songkou Town was the starting point and interchange for the Hakkas to go to Southeast Asia.
West Guangdong
△ Zhanjiang Xuwen Ancient Port [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
Not only was Xuwen Port the first officially recorded port of departure for MSR, but the MSR ship route starting from Xuwen Port was also the first officially recorded, most detailed, most complete, and longest route operated by the authority of the Han nationality.
△ Maoming Bohe Port [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
According to historical records, notable families from Maoming had already established trade contacts with nations in Southeast Asia through MSR 1500 years ago. Lady Xian and her family were one of the representatives. In 1518, Guangzhou Bureau for Foreign Shipping was relocated in Bohe Port. At that time, Bohe Port was once the main port for foreign trade in South China.
North Guangdong
△ Qingyuan Zhenyang Gorge [Photo/WeChat:nfrbsy]
Qingyuan Zhenyang Gorge is located in the midstream of Beijiang River which is not only the confluence of the Central Plain Culture and Lingnan Culture, but also the butt joint of MSR and the Silk Road by land. Therefore, Qingyuan Zhenyang Gorge was an important hub and site for MSR.
In the following weeks, Newsgd.com will show you around the province to get the first glimpse of these MSR sites, getting to know their history and culture as well as enjoying their beautiful sceneries and fine foods. Please stay tuned.
(by Monica)
