Since the relocation of the Guangzhou Customs offices, the Big Clock Tower, a landmark building in Guangzhou (previously used as the office building of the Guangzhou Customs officials), has been undergoing a complete facelift for its conversion into the Guangzhou branch of China Customs Museum. It is expected that by year's end, the tower will take on a fresh appearance showcasing Lingnan culture and Guangzhou's history as a century-old capital of commerce and trade on the banks of the Pearl River.

The Big Clock Tower, standing on the northern bank of the Pearl River, is a symbol of Guangzhou's status as a major historical port and symbolizing the city's part in the reform and opening-up drive. A national-class cultural heritage site, the Big Clock Tower was built by Englishmen in 1915 and houses one of China's best preserved fully mechanical clocks.

Before September 2006, the Big Clock Tower was occupied by the Guangzhou Customs as an office building. Following the relocation, in its entirety, of the Guangzhou Customs to the Zhujiang New Town, the General Administration of Customs approved the conversion of the tower into the China Customs Museum/Guangzhou.

So far, the Guangzhou Customs has spent more than RMB 4 million renovating and preserving the Big Clock Tower. The General Administration of Customs has recently earmarked RMB 5 million for the preservation of the building and the restoration of its original charms.

Editor: Yan