(Photo: Southcn.com)

Sunwen West Road pedestrian street, a century-old street in Zhongshan, officially reopened on September 28 after a major revitalization. An opening ceremony is scheduled for the evening, according to a press conference held on the same day.

Located in the western part of Xiangshan Ancient City, Sunwen West Road pedestrian street was originally named Ying'en Street (迎恩街) and was renamed in 1925. Stretching over 500 meters, it is now recognized as a National Tourist Leisure Street and serves as a key international cultural exchange base for overseas Chinese. The street is lined with buildings that blend Nanyang (Southeast Asian) and Lingnan architectural styles, featuring well-preserved wood carvings, lime sculptures and other architectural elements. It embodies the rich maritime, commercial, and overseas Chinese cultural heritage of the Xiangshan region, holding significant historical and economic value.

In recent years, Zhongshan has made great efforts to revitalize its rural areas with Xiangshan Ancient City designated as a key project. The preservation and revitalization project adheres to the principle of "restoring the old to its original state", retaining historical features such as arcade ceilings, and vintage signs. For damaged yet historically valuable elements, a method of "reference-based replication and professional restoration" has been employed, ensuring the neighborhood’s historical texture and character remain vivid.

Following its renovation and reopening, precious historical landmarks have been carefully restored, including the Xiangshan Theater, the Zhongshan Department Store, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) building.

The upgrade also focused on diversifying its offerings by introducing new business formats centered on cultural creativity, specialty catering, intangible cultural heritage experiences, and Overseas-Chinese-themed exhibitions.

In recent years, the pedestrian street has hosted numerous cultural and tourism events during holidays and has launched curated tourist routes. Since 2025, the Sunwen West Historical and Cultural District has attracted over 6 million visitors, with a growing number of tourists appreciating the charm of its glorious past alongside its new attractions.

To celebrate the reopening of Sunwen West Road pedestrian street, a series of events will be held daily from September 28 to October 7. The festivities include the inaugural ceremony on the evening of September 28, followed by intangible cultural heritage parades during the National Day holiday, featuring a wide range of traditional performances. Additional highlights, such as a food festival and pop music week, will allow visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant blend of historical charm and contemporary energy.

The press conference was held by the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province with the participation of Yang Haidong, Vice Mayor of Zhongshan City as well as officials of Zhongshan Bureau of Culture, Radio and Television and Tourism, Bureau of Natural Resources, Bureau of Commerce, and Shiqi Street.

(Photo: 中山发布)

Reporter丨 Zhou Jiyin

Editor丨 Yin Juewen