This is a set of old photos taken in Shantou, Guangdong in the 1930s. These old photos come from postcards issued in that year. Let us take a look at what Shantou looked like 90 years ago through these old photos.
Shantou, also known as Tuocheng and Tuodao , is located in the southeast of Guangdong, on the edge of the South China Sea. It is located at the estuary of Hanjiang, Rongjiang, and Lianjiang. It is known as "the gateway to Lingdong and the hub of South China". Shantou was officially opened as a port in 1861. It was one of the earliest port cities to be opened to the outside world in modern times. It is known as the "Commercial Port for a Hundred Years". Commerce has always been developed. At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, there was a prosperous scene of "merchants gathered and ships from all over the world".
Shantou in the 1930s. The high-rise building in the photo is the Shantou Hotel on Juping Road. On the left is the "Chao Customs Inspector's Quarters". It is said that Shantou Grand Hotel was the tallest building in Shantou at that time. At that time, there were not many high-rise buildings in Shantou City, so Shantou Grand Hotel was particularly spectacular.
In the 1930s, Shantou city was seen from Queshi Mountain on the other side of the bay. Queshi Mountain is located on the south bank of Queshi Sea in Shantou, facing the old city of Shantou across the sea. It is located at the confluence of Hanjiang, Rongjiang and Lianjiang rivers. The scenery of Queshi Mountain is beautiful, surrounded by hills and strange rocks. It is the first of the eight scenic spots in Shantou.
Chao Customs office building in the 1930s. Chao Customs is a witness to the great changes in Shantou's commercial port over the past century. In the old days, there was a saying in Shantou that "when the bell tower rings, the cannon rings at noon". For the older generation of Shantou people, because the big clock in the customs bell tower chimes every hour, it has become the standard time for Shantou people to live.
Shantou Taikoo Pier in the 1930s. Taikoo Foreign Company is an old British-owned foreign company. Taikoo & Co. is mainly engaged in ship transportation. At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, the foreign shipping industry in China was dominated by British merchants, and among the British merchants, Taikoo was the leader.
The Yudai Bridge in Shantou Zhongshan Park in the 1930s. Zhongshan Park is located on the bank of Yuemei River. It was built in 1926. It is the earliest and largest park in eastern Guangdong. Yujian Lake in the park covers an area of nearly 100 acres. It has beautiful scenery and is famous at home and abroad.
In the 1930s, the main entrance archway of Zhongshan Park. The archway, rockery and Jiuqu Bridge in Zhongshan Park are known as the "three wonders" in the park. Among them, the archway of Zhongshan Park is 18 meters high, with giant pillars standing tall and covered with green tiles, making it majestic.
Chaozhou West Lake in the 1930s. In the early Republic of China, Chaoshan was basically the same area. Chaozhou West Lake is located in the northwest of the ancient city of Chaozhou. It is also called "West Lake Fishing Raft" and is one of the eight scenic spots in Chaozhou. It was named because many fishermen liked to ride on fishing rafts and cast nets in the lake to catch fish. Chaozhou West Lake has a long history and contains scenic spots such as Shouan Temple, Maiden Spring, and Hulu Mountain.
