Huangpu Old Port (黄埔古港) is located in Haizhu District, Guangzhou. In 1685, the Qing government established the Canton Customs House, and all foreign merchant ships coming to Guangzhou had to obtain a permit in Macau. Pilots then guided the ships to dock at Huangpu Village, where their cargo was inspected before being transported by barge into Guangzhou City. Over time, Huangpu Old Port gradually replaced Macau as the new external port of Guangzhou. Named after its location in Huangpu Village, the port was a significant site for international trade, with ships like the American Empress of China and the Swedish Götheborg passing through for trade with China. It played a crucial role in the prosperity of the Maritime Silk Road and was known as “Canton’s First Customs Port.” Key historical relics at the port include the Huangpu Customs Site, the Ancient Port Archway, and the Old Port Ruins.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Huangpu Old Port
- History of Huangpu Old Port
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 – 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-020-8413-5758 |
Location and Transportation
Huangpu Old Port is located in Shiji Village, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. It is bordered by Guangyu Village to the east, Huangpu Canal to the south, Shiji Road to the west, and Shiji West Embankment to the north. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Tak ebus 137, 262, 762, or Sightseeing Line 1 and get off at Huangpu Village Stop (黄埔村站).
Metro: The closest metro station to Huangpu Old Port is Wangshengwei (万胜围) on line 4, line 8, and Haizhu Tram Line 1. After getting out of the station, take a taxi or Bus line Huangpucun 1 to coer the remaining 2 kilometers.
Highlights of Huangpu Old Port
Historical Exhibition Hall
The Huangpu Old Port Historical Exhibition Hall, located in Huangpu Village, is built within the ancestral hall of the Liang family and covers an area of about 2,000 square meters. The exhibition is divided into three main sections: the mural area, the artifact area, and the central exhibition area. The artifact section is the most unique part of the museum, showcasing over 40 scattered ancient architectural materials from Huangpu Village, such as stone beams, columns, and carvings, which have been gathered to create a scenic “ruins” courtyard. In the mural area, there is a grand 31-meter-long and 1.5-meter-high white jade mural, gilded and depicting the bustling port during its heyday as thousands of ships arrived for trade. The second floor houses the central exhibition, designed in the traditional Qing Dynasty architectural style. It features a winding, maze-like display with 26 panels shaped like the “pot-ear house” design, illustrating the port’s former glory and the historical charm of the village. Notable relics include four stone inscriptions documenting the renovation of the Nanhai God Temple during the reigns of Emperors Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang.
Götheborg Ship
The Götheborg, a famous Swedish merchant ship from the Age of Sail, made three voyages to Guangzhou and docked at Huangpu Old Port. This ship symbolizes the flourishing maritime trade along the Maritime Silk Road and stands as a historical testament to the maritime connections between China and Sweden, showcasing Guangzhou’s enduring legacy as a commercial hub.
Gu Po House
Built during the Qing Dynasty, Gu Po House served as a residence for the “self-combing women” of Huangpu Village, known as “Gu Po” in local dialect. The house consists of three rooms, two floors, and a courtyard. Its architectural features include a decorative ridge, granite door frames, and a large wooden door made of fir with 13 horizontal lattice planks. The door frame is adorned with intricate floral carvings. The house was divided into separate single rooms, characteristic of Late Qing architecture. The “self-combing women” were women who chose to remain unmarried and live independently, defying the traditional gender norms of feudal society.
Yuehai First Customs Memorial Hall
The Yuehai First Customs Memorial Hall is a reconstructed ancient-style building complex in the Huangpu Old Port Scenic Area, based on historical records. The hall hosts a large exhibition titled Flowing Glory, which uses a variety of media, including photographs, artifacts, models, wax figures, digital screens, and DVD presentations, to showcase the grandeur and historical significance of Guangzhou’s role in the Maritime Silk Road. The main buildings of the memorial include the two-story Huangpu Customs House, the Yongjing Barracks, the Comprador House, and the “Ancient Port Remains” commemorative archway. These structures together offer a glimpse into the port’s historical importance.
Hu Family Ancestral Hall
The Hu Family Ancestral Hall is dedicated to the ancestors of the Hu family, whose roots trace back to Chong’an in Fujian Province. Their ancestors migrated to Guangzhou from Southern Song Dynasty’s Zhuji Lane in Nanhong County, initially settling on Hao Pan Street before moving to Huangpu Village. The hall features a traditional three-room-wide and three-room-deep design. The Hu family is especially proud of Hu Xuanze, a prominent overseas leader in Singapore during the mid-19th century. He became China’s first consular official abroad and was notably the first diplomat in international history to serve as a consul for three countries. For his contributions, Hu Xuanze was titled a baron in Australia and was awarded the CMG third-class distinction by Britain. His outstanding service earned him the nickname “Mr. Huangpu.”
History of Huangpu Old Port
Huangpu Old Port is located in Shiji Village, Pazhou Street, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, along Xingang East Road. The village’s name is rooted in ancient folklore, where a pair of phoenixes were said to have landed here, bringing prosperity and bountiful harvests. The area, once called “Huangzhou” or “Fengpu,” eventually evolved into “Huangpu,” with “pu” referring to a riverbank and “zhou” to a landmass in water.
Huangpu Old Port played a significant role in Guangzhou’s maritime history, particularly during the flourishing years of the Maritime Silk Road. The port was rebuilt after the visit of the Swedish replica ship, Götheborg. The original Götheborg ship, constructed by the Swedish East India Company in 1738, sailed the Maritime Silk Road and reached Guangzhou three times. On its third voyage in 1745, after loading Chinese goods such as porcelain, silk, and tea, the ship tragically sank near Gothenburg due to a storm. Despite this, the salvaged cargo was still valuable enough to turn a profit, further enhancing the trade reputation between China and Europe.
Huangpu Old Port has witnessed the prosperity of Guangzhou’s overseas trade for centuries. From the Song Dynasty onwards, Huangpu Village was a key gathering place for maritime trade. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it became the primary external port for Guangzhou’s foreign commerce. According to The History of Huangpu Port, between 1758 and 1837, a total of 5,107 foreign ships docked at the port.
In 1757, the Qing government closed all other maritime customs offices in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian, leaving Guangzhou as the sole port for foreign trade for over 80 years. During this period, Huangpu Old Port thrived, housing the Huangpu Customs House, offices for foreign affairs, and comprador agencies. All foreign ships were required to stop at the port for customs clearance and cargo transfer before their goods could enter Guangzhou’s famous Thirteen Factories district for trade. This long-standing hub became a bustling center of commerce, with over 5,000 foreign ships anchoring at the port during its prime.
