赤坎古镇 600多座骑楼建筑 华侨经济百年兴衰

The ancient town of Chikan——Over 600 arcade buildings,one-hundred-year rise and decline of overseas Chinese economy

赤坎的兴旺繁荣缘于近代华侨经济的崛起。时至今日,赤坎镇还完好地保存着由600多座融合中西建筑工艺的骑楼组成的街区,俨然是20世纪初期商贸发达的广州十三行的缩影。赤坎镇的发展源于关氏和司徒氏两大家族,他们同居一岛的南北两边,两族曾为了土地而争斗了几个世纪,后来却因为华侨思想的影响而改变,而合作,并进行良性竞争,共同促进了古镇经济和教育的繁荣。

The prosperity of Chikan ascribes to the rise of overseas Chinese economy in modern history.Until now,there still exist over 600 arcade buildings with Chinese and Western architecture techniques, which look like the epitome of Thirteen Commercial Firms in Guangzhou in its booming period at the beginning of 20th Century.The development of Chikan originated from two lineages,the Guan and the Situ,who occupied the south part and north part of the island respectively.The Situ Clan and Guan Clan fought for land for centuries before they were influenced by overseas Chinese.Later on, they joined hands in the moderate competition to promote the prosperity of economy and education in the ancient town.