Historic Yichang

You’ve traveled with us to Beijing and other ancient sites in China. What ancient sites are there in Yichang do you say? Unfortunately not much.

This excerpt from The Three Gorges and the Upper Yangzi travel guide explains it well:

Disappointingly, there seems to be almost no historic structures remaining, along the waterfront, from the colonial era when Yichang was a treaty port. This is, undoubtedly, at least partly due to the fact that Yichang was a major battle field during the 1937-1945 Sino-Japanese War. The Guomindang fought their last stand here in 1938, before withdrawing behind the protection of the Three Gorges to Chongqing for the duration of the war. After the Japanese occupied Yichang, they used it as a major airbase for bombing rads launched against Chongqing.

However, there are a few structures still standing that look like they could have been around awhile – exactly how much longer they will remain is unknown.

This house is situated on the grounds of the former Tao Hua Ling Hotel (currently under reconstruction).

It’s easy to spot the older buildings.

Not too far from the riverbanks is Fusui street. Almost nothing on this entire block has been renovated.

This Fusui street three story apartment building is probably from the 1980′s, which is old for Yichang standards. These days apartment buildings are generally 25 stories tall.

Also on Fusui street is this sign marking the location of the first post office in Yichang starting in 1894. A post office is still at this location – albeit a modern one.

These two story buildings with unique “tops” are in the older section of town.

Anything that is just two stories is highly unusual.

This building is currently used as a local administration building. It is the former English TaiGu Steamship company office building, built in 1918.

The Catholic church has been around since the early 1900′s.

This building was once a part of the Catholic church grounds. It’s now an insurance agency.

Like many modern cities, development trumps history.

Of course, for us, with no training in architecture, it’s hard to tell if this is actually a hundred-year-old building or if this was built in the late 80′s, but designed to look like something from an earlier era.

This pagoda, which it looks old, was recently built in the last decade.

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