The origin of the revolutionary history of Jiefang Road in Guangzhou
The former Jiefang Road, arcades and four archways
Jiefang Road was the north-south main road of Guangzhou during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the southern section was called Xiaoshi Street. The middle section is called Sipailou; the inner street of Sipailou also has many academies (because it is close to Nanhai County Academy). The northern section south of Panfu Road is called Dabeizhi Street, and the north of Panfu Road is the small road outside the city. In 1930, it was expanded into roads, called Zhonghua South Road, Middle Road, and North Road, with a road width of 16 meters. In 1954, it was renamed Jiefang South, Middle and North Road to commemorate the liberation of Guangzhou.
The weather in southern Guangdong is hot, and Guangzhou people have always had the habit of drinking herbal tea. There used to be a herbal tea shop at the corner of Jiefangzhong and Huifu East, named "Three Tigers Hall", with three tigers as its trademark. At the corner of the road opposite the herbal tea shop is the "first floor" teahouse with two dragon pillars at the front entrance. The shops on both sides face each other, forming a "dragon and tiger competition" in Feng Shui. The latter teahouse closed down (that is, it closed down). According to rumors Three tigers defeated two dragons. From then on, "Three Tiger Hall" also became famous.
The historical city of Guangzhou has a unique Lingnan culture. Speaking of Lingnan architecture, we have to mention the arcade-style old houses that are still common today. This is a major feature of Yangcheng and a wonder of Lingnan architecture.
The Qilou has a history of more than 100 years. It was introduced from Nanyang to Lingnan. It is a kind of building built on both sides of the road. The first floor is for shops and sidewalks, and the second floor and above are used for use. The sidewalk space spans the building's domestic residents. The weather in the south is rainy and the sun is strong in summer. This kind of arcade can protect you from wind and rain in the shade, and protect you from the sun in the sunny day. It is convenient for pedestrians and businesses. It really kills two birds with one stone. Arcades can still be seen in the main commercial streets in the old town of Guangzhou, such as Shangxiajiu Road, Beijing Road, Renmin Road, etc...
Most of the old Jiefang Road is lined with two or three-story arcades. The author originally lived in this area. This is a three-story reinforced concrete structure house with a Chinese and Western style layout. There are many beautiful carved patterns on the front wall of the house, and the dome-shaped gables of the roof are inlaid with A round Feng Shui mirror with a diameter of about 30 centimeters, facing Xuegong Street opposite (Xuegong Street is on the west side of Jiefang Middle Road and connected to Mishi Road in the west. It was in front of the Xuegong Gate of Nanhai County in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Street, hence the name) is said to ward off evil spirits. The back half of the house is a three- and two-story building with a brick and wood structure. It is an old house with a narrow front and deep interior. The shop front is "Guangchang Sauce Garden", and the four archways that no longer exist in the past stand next to the house.
There was originally a Jinshi Archway on Jiefang Middle Road, commonly known as the "Four Archways". One of them, the "Yichou Jinshi" archway, was built in the eighth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty (1635) to commend seven Jinshi from Guangdong during the Tianqi period, including Liang Shiji, Li Sijue, Luo Yiru, Wu Yuanhan, Cen Zhibao, Yin Mingyi and Gao Kui. In the 1940s, the Guangzhou Municipal Government wanted to widen the road and move the archways on the road to the scenic area. Lingnan University has moved the "Yichou Jinshi" memorial arch. It was originally located on the west side of Grant Hall (now known as the "Big Bell Tower"). During the Cultural Revolution, the archway was destroyed and was later rebuilt by the Lingnan University Alumni Association with a donation of more than 700,000 yuan. The restored archway is 10.37 meters high. It is 9 meters wide and has basically restored the original appearance of the three rooms, four pillars and fifth floor stone.
Today, this ancient, modern and beautiful flower city is becoming more and more beautiful. There are high-rise buildings everywhere, the roads are getting wider, but there are also more and more cars and more and more people. The more crowded it is. Jiefang Road has been expanded and the arcade-style houses no longer exist. A Zhongxi Building was also built in the original place. In 1995, Jiefang Road was widened 40 meters and became a busy main road at the north-south transportation hub of Guangzhou. It is also a commercial street integrating second-hand electrical appliances, flowers, shoes, etc. The old streets and old shops in the city will quietly disappear. I couldn't help but think of a lyric in Su Rui's "Same Moonlight": When did the croaking frogs and cicadas become memories, and when did my hometown become so crowded? High-rise buildings stand everywhere, and the colorful neon lights dye the night sky so tacky.
Who can tell me, who can tell me, did we change the world, or did the world change me and you...
Here, I can’t help but think of the midsummer nights in my childhood, the streets under the soft street lights, from time to time The crisp sound of clogs tapping on the stone slabs, mixed with the melodious Cantonese music and Cantonese opera from the tube radio, makes this place full of the unique urban customs and culture of the old Lingnan city.