After meandering through the streets of Hetoupu Village in northern Zhuhai, I walked further along the road that brought me there after my random bus ride. Soon I came upon nearby Beishan Village (北山村). Although I saw more people than in Hetoupu, it was also mostly quiet on that hot Saturday afternoon.
Yet again, I do not have any historical details to share and this may be the first post in English about a village I have visited. Some enterprising readers (or Zhuhai experts) may be quick to point out a variety of information about Beishan Village online such as here or here. I would simply point out that those pages are about a Beishan Village in Zhuhai far away (map) from where I was (map). Especially for its rich historical architecture and its art & jazz festivals, the other Beishan Village is an occasional destination for tourists, especially those from Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong (article in Traditional Chinese). What most surprises me is its location in Zhuhai -- within easy walking distance from where I explored in Nanping Town after another random bus ride earlier this year. Just goes to show there is always more to find...
I hope I have the opportunity to visit the more famous Beishan someday. Nonetheless, I feel lucky to have found the other Beishan. I probably enjoyed roaming its small lanes and alleys all the more because of its relative anonymity. Like before, I will share photos mostly of the older buildings I saw, though some will include more modern buildings to provide a hint of how things are slowly changing.
Yet again, I do not have any historical details to share and this may be the first post in English about a village I have visited. Some enterprising readers (or Zhuhai experts) may be quick to point out a variety of information about Beishan Village online such as here or here. I would simply point out that those pages are about a Beishan Village in Zhuhai far away (map) from where I was (map). Especially for its rich historical architecture and its art & jazz festivals, the other Beishan Village is an occasional destination for tourists, especially those from Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong (article in Traditional Chinese). What most surprises me is its location in Zhuhai -- within easy walking distance from where I explored in Nanping Town after another random bus ride earlier this year. Just goes to show there is always more to find...
I hope I have the opportunity to visit the more famous Beishan someday. Nonetheless, I feel lucky to have found the other Beishan. I probably enjoyed roaming its small lanes and alleys all the more because of its relative anonymity. Like before, I will share photos mostly of the older buildings I saw, though some will include more modern buildings to provide a hint of how things are slowly changing.
Very nice set! I can feel the heat and humidity though!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Fortunately it wasn't the hottest day I've experienced in Zhuhai. But I was glad the bus was air conditioned.
DeleteHi Brian. I'm currently living in Zhuhai, glad to see that you have documented what you saw back then. I first came to ZH in 2010, and while it was changing then it has now become nearly unrecognizable, only I was not in a position to record what I'd seen. I'm very sensitive to the changes around here, and have been documenting the way it is evolving, in a similar way as you.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are next in Zhuhai I would enjoy meeting with you and sharing some notes.
~William
Thanks for connecting and great to hear about you documenting Zhuhai's transformation. I still have yet to share photos of similar areas taken around the same time as this post. Someday . . .
DeleteI first visited Zhuhai in 2010 as well. Yes, there's been quite a bit of change since then, though I've been fascinated to hear accounts of how much had changed even before. If you send an email to isidorsfugue at gmail.com, I'll be able to get in touch. Fair chance I'll be in Zhuhai yet again.