Xin He Pu, Dong Shan

Xinhe Pu Residential Community is located in the historic former Dongshan district, Guangzhou, now a part of Yuexiu district. Dongshan, as a name, geographically originates from the former Dongshan district.

Xinhe Pu (新河浦) in Dong Shan is also a peaceful place celebrated as a gathering point of Lingnan-European historic buildings. Different from Lingnan-style Qilou or Xiguan Residence, the villa building groups feature two-or-three story western villas with courtyard in the front and simple decoration.

The villas are mostly owned by the descendents of overseas Chinese celebrities, including some military officers and government officials who built houses in the 1920-30s. In the 21st century, some buy villas and redecorate them as luxurious bars and cafés.

The No. 7 Middle School

Two middle schools: Pei Zhen Middle School, No. 7 Middle School and a Christian Church (Dongshan Church) with over one-hundred years in the community add to the exoticism to the location.

The Five Historic Villas in Dong Shan

Chunyuan Villa

The Chunyuan Villas (春园), three neighboring brick-and-concrete apartment buildings, were used as the Communist Party of China's office buildings after the Party moved its headquarters from Shanghai to Guangzhou in 1923. The Party also held its third general assembly at the venue.

Jianyuan Villa

The Jianyuan Villa (简园) has fountains and gardens in front of the European-style building. Tobacco tycoon Jian Qinshi built the villas, which were once used as the German Consulate and the late Kuomintang senior official Tan Yankai's residence.

Wu Jingying, who had studied in Britain and the United States during the early 19th century, designed the Ouyuan Villas (隅园), which combine British and Chinese styles. Wu was the chief warship designer for the Canton fleet after it was established in 1925.

The Mingyuan Villas (明园) house two three-storied buildings featuring Roman-style corridors.

The Kuiyuan Villa (逵园) was built by Chinese-American Ma Zhuowen in 1922.

Source: Lifeofguangzhou.com/investguangzhou

Editor: Jessie Hwang