Historical Images in the Former Site of the Han Merchant Chamber of Commerce
Editor's Note
I am a retired elderly person who enjoys independent travel in unfamiliar cities during leisure time, exploring the human cultural imprints that go unnoticed by others, approaching those fading human histories, and appreciating warm, temperature-filled written records. I don't care whether it's worth it, I just want to avoid missing it. Four years of traveling through 85 cities of various sizes, a journey of 67550 kilometers across 15 provinces and municipalities, recording 2052 human-interest sites. Those shining imprints, like a horn urging me forward.
The Han Merchant Chamber of Commerce is located at No. 949 Zhongshan Avenue, Wuhan was one of the earliest cities in China to establish merchant associations. In 1898, the Hunan Governor-General Zhang Zhidong established a commercial bureau. Called 'Merchant Chamber', it was actually a major national anti-war and literary center during the early years of the war. In its role, it was no less than 'a thousand armies and ten thousand horses'
In November 1907, the Qing Government's Commercial Bureau in Han invited merchants from all guilds to hold a meeting, officially establishing the Han Merchant Chamber of Commerce. In 1919, the president of the Han Merchant Chamber of Commerce, Wan Zesheng, convened businessmen from all walks of life to build a building, with merchants actively negotiating and raising funds and donations of 91835 two silver taels, and the famous Han Sheng Yijang Factory undertook design and construction, and in 1921, the Han Merchant Chamber of Commerce building was completed on the back of the city, now Zhongshan Avenue
The Han Merchant Chamber of Commerce building is a landmark building symbolizing Wuhan's prosperous commerce. The building is in the neoclassical style, with a typical three-section structure, with an outer wall of limestone, the second floor has a semi-circular window, the third floor has a balcony, and the roof of the entrance is decorated with triangular pine cone patterns. The whole building is dignified and elegant
The Han Merchant Chamber of Commerce was the largest and most influential merchant organization in modern Han. From its founding to its demise in 1949, it made great contributions to Wuhan's political, economic, urban, and cultural development. After 'the Cultural Revolution', this building became a building of a certain organ. After the reform and opening up, it was returned to the Federation of Industry and Commerce. In 1999, the government funded and private entrepreneurs donated funds to renovate the Merchant Chamber of Commerce building, which was listed as an 'excellent historical building'
1949“”1999“”
