Xiashan District 霞山区

History

Under a treaty signed with the Qing on 16 November 1899, France leased land and islands where Suixi (遂溪县) and Wuchuan (吴川县) counties met, together with the bay between them, now Zhanjiang harbour. The Guangzhouwan French Legation (广州湾法国公使署旧址), known locally as the Gongshitang (公使堂), was built in 1903, and the French military headquarters across Yan'an Road, the "Green Building" (绿衣楼), in 1905. Japanese forces used both from 1943 to 1945. In January 1946 the former leased territory became Zhanjiang city, whose government sat in the legation. The two buildings were listed together as a national key cultural relics protection unit in 2013.

What to see

The Guangzhouwan historic and cultural quarter (广州湾历史文化街区) holds 11 protected sites among European-style buildings and arcaded qilou (骑楼) houses that are still lived in. On the waterfront, the Xiashan seaside promenade (霞山观海长廊) runs for about 1.7 kilometres beside mangroves and was the first such promenade built in Zhanjiang. The Fishermen's Wharf (渔人码头) lies close to a seafood wholesale market, and visitors can take boat trips there.

Sanlingshan National Forest Park (三岭山国家森林公园) has 95 per cent forest cover among rolling ridges and ravines, and the district government calls it Zhanjiang's "city lung". The Lütang River Wetland Park (绿塘河湿地公园), about 3.3 kilometres long, was Guangdong's first national urban wetland park; it combines fresh and salt water, and 106 species of larger wild animals have been recorded there.

Food and local products

Among the specialities the district government recommends is lanqian fruit (榄钱果), the fruit of the grey mangrove, eaten as a seasonal sea vegetable. Fishermen on Techeng Island (特呈岛) salt and sun-dry their catch, and the island's snacks include fried youjiao (炸油角), purse-shaped pastries filled with sesame and sugar, bean paste or mashed sweet potato, and the white cakes called baiba (白粑). Peach-shaped glutinous rice cakes (寿桃籺), dotted with red, are handed out at birthdays, weddings and house-warmings. Other dishes on the district's list include steamed roe-laden mud crab, blanched peanut worms and seaweed braised with pork belly.

Getting oriented

Zhanjiang Port is described by the district government as the only deep-water port in South China that can take ships of 400,000 tonnes. Zhanjiang North Station, also in the district, is the central hub where five high-speed lines converge on the city.

Highlights

• Guangzhouwan French Legation and Military Headquarters 广州湾法国公使署旧址和法军指挥部旧址: Built 1903 and 1905; national key protected site since 2013.
• Lütang River Wetland Park 绿塘河湿地公园: Guangdong's first national urban wetland park, about 3.3 km long.
• Sanlingshan National Forest Park 三岭山国家森林公园: 95 per cent forest cover; called Zhanjiang's city lung.
• Xiashan seaside promenade 霞山观海长廊: About 1.7 km along the shore; Zhanjiang's first seaside promenade.
• Lanqian fruit 榄钱果: Grey mangrove fruit eaten as a seasonal sea vegetable.