Dongchuan Postal Service Administration rebuilt at Liangjiang Film City

Old photo of Dongchuan Postal Service Administration independent since 1919

Photo of Dongchuan Postal Service Administration staff at the beginning of the 20th century

CHONGQING(CQNEWS)--There is a European style building with red bricks and in special shape near the “Dongshuimen” of Liangjiang Film City. It is derived from the Dongchuan Postal Service Administration, divided from Chongqing Customs in 1919.

However, it is originally at Taipingmen. Now, the original building has disappeared. Yuzhong District still retains the name “Youju Lane”, as a reminiscence for local citizens.

Chengdu was under the charge of Chongqing in 1896.

Waterway is regarded as vital communication line 100 years ago, so Chongqing Postal Office is more important than Chengdu. In 1896, the Guangxu Emperor approved the establishing of the national Post Office, divided into 35 “primary postal regions”, and five “secondary postal regions”. So, the Chongqing Post Office was one of the primary postal regions; Chengdu was a secondary postal region and was under the authority of Chongqing.

The Chongqing Post Office took charge of Chongqing, Guang’an, Yilong, Guangyuan in east Sichuan area as well as Zunyi, Guizhou and Zhaotong, Yunnan. In 1910, it divided Post Office administration areas again.

All top managers were able to speak English at that time.

Nowadays, rambling about in the “old street” of Liangjiang Movie City, tourists can also see “Dongshuimen”, “Qiansimen”, “Chaotianmen” and other landmarks of old Chongqing. The post office was established along the riverside of Taipingmen 100 years ago, demonstrating the importance of waterway transportation at that time. The wharf special for postal office at Taipingmen was the postal office transfer hub of Chongqing and even the whole east Sichuan area.

An old photo was discovered that the Dongchuan Postal Service Administration staff took at the beginning of the 20th century. According to the records, candidates must pass a strict examination to join the staff of a post office 100 years ago. Due to the special demands of postal office, nearly all staff of the postal office were literate. Under the context that the most of labors were unlettered over 100 years ago, the staff of postal office was well-educated. From 1911 to 1937, Dongchuan Postal Service Administration had 11 foreign directors, so all top managers spoke English at that time. (Translated by Liu Hongyan, Fathom Language Limited)