Attractions
The Former Site of Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
Updated: Dec 16, 2014
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The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Zhanjiang Sub-branch, is located at the intersection of the Minzhi Road and Yan'an Road in Xiashan District, Zhanjiang City; which used to be a French commercial bank office.
Built in 1917, it opened business in 1926 and was the first modern bank in Zhanjiang because it was opened during the period when Zhanjiang was known as "Kwangchowan".
The building has three floors above ground while the basement is adorned with bright windows near the ground. The ground floor has five granite arch windows and the inner walls are wide and solid.
The building looks very impressive from the outside, with ornamental columns standing high in front of the gate, and walls featuring washed granolithic finish.
It used to be the biggest building in Zhanjiang and when the PLA tried to liberate Zhanjiang, the bank was a major battlefield site. The PLA soldiers tried not to use explosive materials in the fight, to protect the building and residents in the surrounding area, thus made great sacrifice.
In 1926, the French Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank established a banking office in "Xi Ying" (today's Xiashan District), which is the first modern bank in Kwangchowan. The Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank issued currency in the former French colony on behalf of the French Government. At that time, the Vietnam paper money was used to cash in French commercial silver dollars. Residents of the Kwangchowan called the paper money "Annan Zhi", "Saigon Zhi" or "Xi Bi". The Vietnam paper money issued by the Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank became the official currency of Kwangchowan. After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan (1937-1945), Kwangchowan was returned to China and the Saigon Zhi issued by the Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank left Kwangchowan along with the French colonists.
Address: the intersection of the Minzhi Road and Yan'an Road in Xiashan district, Zhanjiang city
How to get there: Take Bus No 22 and get off at Yan'an Road Stop.
