Page 146 - JCAU-7-1

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Development of the Thirteen Factories

a new factory on leased land, bypassing the layout of the In contrast to the concessions in Shanghai and other
original factories. The New English Factory featured treaty ports, the Thirteen Factories quarter remained
two rows of buildings separated by streets and alleys. Its under the jurisdiction of the Guangzhou government. It
exterior embraced the veranda style, with an arcade on the served as a precursor to the concept of concessions, laying
1 floor and colonnades on the 2 and 3 floors, topped the groundwork for land lease agreements, construction
rd
nd
st
by a four-pitched roof (Farris, 2007). On the western side regulations, and cooperative community development.
of the Thirteen Factories, the Danish Factory, New China In concessions, foreigners often gained administrative
Street, Spanish Factory, and French Factory were rebuilt and judicial power, allowing for more extensive Western-
on their original sites, while squares in front of the Danish style construction on a larger scale without interference or
Factory, Spanish Factory, French Factory, and Mingquas’ conflict from local governments and residents. However,
Hang were converted into additional factories (Figure 14). after the Thirteen Factories quarter was destroyed during
Western merchants also built an American Garden in the Second Opium War in 1856, it was abandoned by
the square, featuring native plants and wide walkways, foreigners, who relocated to the newly built Shamian
providing an outdoor space for foreign merchants to stroll, Concession on an isolated human-made island, replacing
relax, and socialize. Adjacent to the garden, an ornate the Thirteen Factories as their new base in Guangzhou.
water club was established on the western side of the The ruined site of the Thirteen Factories was later
American Garden, serving as a library, billiard room, and redeveloped into dense commercial streets in the late
venue for dances. An open boathouse for long paddle boats 19 century, featuring businesses specializing in tea,
th
was located nearby (Figure 15). In 1849, a Gothic Revival medicine, and porcelain, as well as a growing number of
church was built between the English Garden and the financial institutions and banks. In 1937, Japanese air raids
American Garden, becoming a landmark along the Pearl devastated the area, leaving it in ruins on the west bund
River. Behind the church, Log Lane was transformed into a of the city. By 1951, this area was chosen for the Fair of
parsonage. These developments marked the transformation Southern China Local and Special Products, where 12 new
of the Thirteen Factories quarter from a trading zone into a buildings were constructed to accommodate the event. The
Western-style community. architects adopted a modernist approach in designing the
After the First Opium War, the Thirteen Factories exhibition halls, incorporating frame structures, free space,
quarter gained various new spatial elements, including a and clean façades. This design was regarded as a significant
church, a parsonage, gardens, a club, dockyards, a hospital, example of modernism in China (Yang, 2015). Following
schools, and wharves, in addition to its factories and the fair, the exhibition area transitioned into Guangzhou
three commercial streets. Western concepts of healthcare, Cultural Park, and several of the exhibition halls remain
education, sports, entertainment, and engineering intact today. The area surrounding the park has since
technology – symbols of “modernity” – first took root in evolved into a bustling wholesale clothing market, trading
the factories quarter and later spread to other parts of the with both inland provinces and foreign countries. This
city. The redevelopment of the Thirteen Factories quarter transformation marks a new phase in the globalization
featured veranda-style architecture, landscaped district, of Guangzhou’s trade. In summary, the evolution of the
improved community facilities, and landmark structures, Thirteen Factories—from an economic hub to exhibition
exemplifying a “modern” cityscape along the Guangzhou halls, a cultural park, and a wholesale market—illustrates
riverside. the enduring influence of modernity and globalization
introduced by the Thirteen Factories centuries ago, which
continue to shape Guangzhou’s development today.
6. Conclusion

The Thirteen Factories in Guangzhou emerged from the
interaction between economic globalization and China’s
th
foreign trade policies during the 18 century. Western
countries established factories along global routes as
trading posts, and the Qing government designated
Guangzhou as a key port city for foreign trade – between
1757 and 1840, the sole port for such activity in China.
Consequently, Guangzhou became a critical base for
Figure 15. Thirteen Factories in 1856. Source: National Maritime Western merchants to acquire Chinese goods for the global
Museum, Greenwich, London market. From a commercial perspective, the establishment

Volume 7 Issue 1 (2025) 13 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3676