Historic sites abound on Wusi Road

Behind the change of place name is its unchangeable rich historical meaning etched in abundant historical sites. Particularly, before and after the anti-Japanese war, many European-style buildings were erected on this road, then a central area in Chongqing.

The Liaison Office between China and Britain, occupying the same ground as the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau previously on Wusi Road, is an old half-timber three-storey construction of European style. It luckily survived war-time fires and plundering. Its predecessor is “Jianjia Bridge Catholic Church”, the well-known church belonging to previous Chongqing parish (or eastern Sichuan parish).

Opposite the street is the site of Charity Hospital, established by Magari, an American missionary, in 1892, which was the most beautiful hospital in China and the first western medical hospital in southwestern China. Its relic is nowhere to be found now.

New and old Wusi Roads

The old Wusi Road is located in the center of the Jiefangbei business area, bustling and prosperous. There is a new scaled down version of Wusi Road in the center of Liangjiang International Film Studios. On the mini road are some copies of old historical buildings, such as the Liaison Office between China and Britain, the Soviet Embassy, the Fengsheng Watchtower, and the Jianjia Bridge Catholic Church, etc. Visitors can either visit the modern one in Jiefangbei or the one of the Republic era at Liangjiang International Film Studios.

Chongqing boasts of a long history and accordingly abundant historical relics and legends. The above-mentioned road, in particular, adds to its peculiar cultural character. (Translated by Zeng Lijin, Fathom Language Limited)