Secret of Food and Colonial Past | Hankou Guided Walk

Bagong House, located at the intersection of Poyang Street and Dongting Street in Jiang'an District, Wuhan, Hubei Province, is a historic Russian-style apartment complex built in 1910. It stands as a significant cultural and architectural landmark, reflecting the fusion of Eastern and Western influences during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican era.

Historical Background
Owners: The building was commissioned by the Banov brothers, Russian tea merchants and relatives of Tsar Nicholas I. Known as "Big Bagong" (J.K. Banov) and "Little Bagong" (Zino Banov), they were prominent figures in Hankou's tea trade and operated the influential Fuchang Brick Tea Factory.

Construction: Designed by the British architectural firm Jingming Yanghang and constructed by local builders, the project began in 1901 and took nearly a decade to complete. The Banov brothers invested 150,000 taels of silver to create this triangular-shaped marvel, which became a symbol of the Russian Concession.

Core area of the former Russian Concession (1900), with 17 preserved buildings known as "Hankou's Open-air Architecture Museum"

No.5 Luojia Street: Curved balconies & stained glass, once a Russian tea merchant's mansion

Former Gaoshi Hospital: Wuhan's first Western hospital with green dome & wrought-iron details

Red brick walls with Siberian pine beams

Orthodox crosses & Chinese bat motifs on doorways

Liu Futang's Residence: The "Tea King" traded Hankou tea for Russian steel here

Bullet Marks: On No.12 Luojia Street walls from 1938 Battle of Wuhan

Suggested Duration: 2-3 hrs (golden hour for lighting)

Every brick here whispers a century of dialogue between Yangtze & Volga

Pinghe Packaging Factory Former Site 平和打包厂 (Liddell Bros. Press Packing Works) , established in 1905 by British merchants Liddell Brothers in Hankou, Wuhan, was one of the earliest and most influential cotton-packing factories in the region. As part of the British trading firm Liddell Bros. & Co., Ltd. (平和洋行), it pioneered mechanical cotton compression and became a cornerstone of Wuhan’s early industrial development . The complex, renowned for its reinforced concrete structure and red-brick facade, expanded over time into six interconnected buildings spanning 32,808 square meters, making it the largest and best-preserved early industrial complex in Wuhan . After decades of historical shifts, including wartime occupation and post-1949 state management, it was revitalized in 2017 as a cultural and creative hub, earning UNESCO recognition in 2019.

Historical Significance: Originally built during the late Qing Dynasty, Jianghan Road flourished in the early 20th century as a concession area influenced by Western architecture. Many buildings along the street showcase a mix of European styles, including Baroque and Neoclassical designs.

Shopping Paradise: Today, it is a vibrant pedestrian zone lined with department stores, boutique shops, international brands, and local vendors. It attracts shoppers, tourists, and locals alike.

Food & Entertainment: The area offers diverse culinary experiences, from street food like hot dry noodles (热干面) to upscale restaurants. At night, the street comes alive with neon lights and entertainment options.

Jianghan Road is more than just a shopping street—it’s a cultural tapestry reflecting Wuhan’s past and present. Whether you’re exploring its architecture, indulging in local snacks, or experiencing the city’s energy, it’s a must-visit destination in central China.

Construction: 1924 (clock mechanism original 1923 British JB Joyce manufacture).
Historical Role: Controlled 90% of Yangtze River tariffs; its chimes set "Hankou Standard Time" for merchant ships.

The tour start at Customs House Museum. Within 1.5km of Yanjiang Avenue lies a condensed global architectural history: Neoclassical to Art Deco, Mansard roofs to Manchurian windows. These buildings are both colonial scars and witnesses to technological revolution – Germans brought reinforced concrete, British introduced urban planning, while Chinese artisans achieved cultural counter-conquest through craftsmanship.