Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street in Zhongshan, a century-old commercial hub renowned for its unique Nanyang-style architecture, has been successfully revitalized following an extensive three-year restoration project.
The restoration — designated as part of the “Hundred-Thousand-Ten-Thousand Project” promoting high-quality development of 100 counties, 1,000 towns, and 10,000 villages — sought to safeguard the street’s historic character while introducing new attractions to draw both residents and visitors.
Historically known as Xiangshan, Zhongshan established its county seat in the Southern Song Dynasty. Sunwen West Road, located at the western end of the ancient city, spans approximately 520 meters and is famous for its overhangs and historical legacy left by migrants.
However, years of wear had left about 70 percent of the structures in a dilapidated state, prompting urgent calls for preservation.
In 2021, Secretary of the CPC Zhongshan Municipal Committee Guo Wenhai prioritized the protection and revitalization of the area. The goal was to restore the street to its original glory using delicate craftsmanship, ensuring it remains a spiritual home for locals and a cultural calling card for the city.
Guo insisted that restoration should be based on historical evidence rather than uniform modernization, ensuring that the street remains recognizable to long-time residents and returning overseas Chinese.
The revitalized street reopened last September ahead of the National Day holidays, featuring over 200 restored buildings that blend historical charm with modern vitality. Key landmarks such as the former sites of Sincere Company, Wing On Company, Sihao Hotel and the intricate Republican-era patterns on the overhangs have been preserved.
Historic businesses have also been revitalized. Sun Qizhen Teahouse, once frequented by Sun Yat-sen, has reopened with Republican-style decor and Manchurian windows. A century-old hotel has also been reimagined as the “Jincheng Hotel,” offering visitors an immersive stay characterized by the region’s unique heritage.
The meticulous renovation has successfully retained the street’s “old flavor” while injecting “new life,” preserving a crucial piece of Lingnan history for future generations.
The old city has undergone a remarkable transformation, which was a concerted effort to revive it with “culture as the foundation and operation as the core.”
Spearheaded by top municipal leaders, the initiative saw 23 on-site investigations and benefited from robust oversight by representatives and was guided by experts and public feedback — ensuring each decision reflected the community’s needs and the city’s rich heritage.
The revitalization team employed techniques such as using dry ice to restore the area’s historical textures, consulting intangible cultural heritage bearers, and using “embroidery-like” precision to maximize the preservation and retain the street’s authentic appearance and unique character.
Beyond aesthetics, the restoration strengthened the street’s infrastructure by coordinating the installation of underground utilities such as pipes, electricity cables, and fire protection systems. The building structures were reinforced using angle steels and epoxy injection, eliminating safety hazards in over 200 buildings.
The renovation allowed the area to be reborn, earning Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street recognition on the national-level list of recommended tourism and leisure blocks in 2023, marking a new era for this historic destination.
While historical buildings along Sunwen West Road remain key attractions, the street has been infused with numerous popular “Instagrammable spots”. These include heart-shaped floral arrangements that light up at night for photos, as well as trendy cafes.
In the evenings, the street comes alive with buskers performing Mandarin and Cantonese pop songs, and even traditional Cantonese opera—drawing enthusiastic crowds and creating a vibrant atmosphere.
During holidays, the street hosts festive events including ethnic cultural performances, intangible cultural heritage showcases, and lion dances.
These initiatives have transformed the old street into the ultimate “city walk” destination for experiencing both Zhongshan’s history and modern commerce.
Moving forward, Zhongshan will continue to advance the project to revitalize Xiangshan Ancient City.
