Sun Yat-sen, known in Chinese as Sun Zhongshan, is the founding father of modern China. To honor him, the city of Zhongshan was renamed from its original name, Xiangshan County, in 1925. Additionally, the road outside the old west gate was named Sunwen Road, after Sun Wen, Sun Yat-sen's given name at birth.
The 529-meter western section, Sunwen West Road, developed into the commercial heart of the city, hosting Zhongshan's first bank, first department store, first photo studio, and even its first ice cream parlor. As the city expanded eastward, the arcade-lined street gradually fell silent. By the 2010s, what had once been a bustling thoroughfare had become quiet.
To revitalize this once-prosperous street, Zhongshan chose a path rooted in authentic restoration and carefully curated commerce.
Renovation needed to ensure safety and incorporate modern facilities
Since 2021, the renewal of Xiangshan Old Town has been a city priority. The challenges were significant: fire safety, utilities, power supply, and drainage systems were outdated or inadequate. About 70 percent of buildings received a Grade C or above in safety assessments. The solution involved three core actions: structural reinforcement of historic buildings, installation of modern utility networks, and separation of drainage and sewage systems. These foundational upgrades made the streets safe and functional and laid the groundwork for all subsequent developments.
Cultural spirit restored through meticulous craftsmanship
Rather than a superficial makeover, the restoration was meticulously precise. Gilded carvings were preserved and conserved. Dry-ice cleaning revealed original surfaces hidden beneath later layers of paint. Ornate gable plasterwork was rebuilt by hand, and decorative arcade ceilings were recreated using traditional plaster, paint, and relief techniques. The guiding principle was to restore authentically, not imaginatively. Every craftsman worked to reveal, not reinvent, the street's historic character. The result is a place that feels genuinely old, not artificially aged.
Every detail rooted in archival evidence and community memory
No restoration decision was left to guesswork. Archival records, old newspapers, and vintage photographs guided every choice, from façade colors and wall lettering to arcade ceiling shop signs. Long-vanished business names, such as "Banking and Remittance", were restored exactly as they once appeared. However, the archives alone were not sufficient. The community became living witnesses to history. Residents corrected railing curves based on childhood memories. Overseas Chinese descendants identified window-frame patterns from their ancestral homes. Investigators even climbed onto arcade rooftops to scrape for traces of original paint. Every brushstroke had to be justified by evidence. The result is not a designer's vision of the past, but the past itself, faithfully reconstructed.
A specialized leasing strategy helps preserve character
From day one, the operator established clear rules. A positive-and-negative list prohibited low-end retail and short-term speculators. Rent was tiered according to business type, while subletting was strictly regulated. For businesses aligned with the vision, such as intangible cultural heritage, time-honored local brands, young independent labels, and distinctive food concepts, the model offers lower initial rents or even rent-free incubation periods, transitioning to revenue sharing once the business matures. A blacklist-and-whitelist system monitored tourist complaints and shop integrity. For example, one shop was removed following a verified food-quality issue. Every tenant is thoroughly vetted, and standards are rigorously enforced. Short-term profiteering has no place here.
Sunwen West Road becomes a tourist hotspot after renovation
Today, Sunwen West Road showcases the best of Zhongshan, featuring intangible cultural heritage, modern manufacturing, and overseas Chinese culture—all within a 529-meter stroll. The shops feel part exhibition hall, part retail space, fulfilling the promise that a walk down the street offers a taste of the entire city. Since reopening, the street has welcomed over 10 million visitors. During the 2025 National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, it recorded 1.3 million visits and over RMB 1 billion in consumer spending. The 2026 New Year holiday attracted 650,000 visits in three days; the Spring Festival drew over 1.5 million visits and more than RMB 1.1 billion in spending; and the May Day holiday saw nearly 1 million visits. These figures confirm the street's transformation into a lasting cultural and tourism landmark.
Reporter: Ding Hefei
Editor: Yin Juewen