Xiamen's melting pot of cultures old and modern

Left: China City, a shopping mall on Zhongshan Pedestrian Street, is a historical building that combines tradition with fashion. Right: Zhongshan Pedestrian Street is a commercial hub in Siming district of Xiamen. Photos provided to China Daily

As the sun sets over Dongdu Pier, where Gulangyu Island residents disembark from the ferry, the lights of the bustling Zhongshan Pedestrian Street light up the sky, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the city's nightlife.

As one of Xiamen's old business towns, located in the Siming district, the street is a major commercial area and it overflows with locals, tourists, shops and supermarkets.

Along the street, most buildings with two or three stories claim a history dating back to the 1920s. These buildings, called qilou, or arcade-houses, are consistent with the style and concepts brought by many returning overseas Chinese from stays in Southeast Asia.

The well-preserved arcade-houses have stood witness to the development of the bustling business street.

In past decades, the street served as a transportation hub with most shops located on either side of the road. In 2005, authorities began a regeneration project and transformed the street and buildings. In 2010, the street became a full-time pedestrianized street.

Currently, the renovated streets are preserved to protect the history of the old business town and its modern style. Along the street, there are many cultural and historic sites like churches and former residences of celebrities and historical figures.

When entering the vicinity of China City, a comprehensive shopping mall that has become a landmark on the street, one can feel the atmosphere of a fast-developing commercial district imbued with its own culture.

With the philosophy of combining tradition with fashion, China City retains the structure of the Xinjie Christian Church, and recreates parts of the old Huang family residence, once home to the richest man in Xiamen and rich with elements of the early modern style.

The shopping mall has advantages it leverages to develop its business, and boasts a prime location in the commercial area, said Li Li, general manager of China City.

With a total area of 170,000 square meters, the shopping mall is a commercial hub for the street, supplementing the street's appeal in terms of tourism, consumption, entertainment and local culture.

"We want to develop the shopping mall in line with international trends while also retaining the culture and its unique Xiamen elements," Li said.

As one of the street's major shopping centers, China City has been continually launching activities such as themed exhibitions showcasing local culture, which can attract customers to learn more about the city's history.

"We want to make more connections with people and to maintain a distinct culture for locals and tourists," she said.

With the rapid development of the street, local authorities have also made efforts in promoting the further reconstruction and development of the road.

Su Lujie, an official from Zhonghua subdistrict, said that the street, with its rich local culture, is one that requires greater efforts to protect and preserve.

"The street bears elements of Minnan, coastal and overseas Chinese cultures, which enables it to stand as a representative of Xiamen's spirit of openness and inclusivity," Su said.

As a historic downtown part of the city, its facilities require more protection and modern reconstruction, he added.

To date, there are 10 squares and benches along the street, which provide a leisure space for locals beside the crowded commercial development.

"We will continue to improve the street's facilities and seek more integration of local cultures to develop it as a high-level pedestrian street," he said.