The China Storyteller Partnership interview group visited the ancient commercial port in Zhanjiang, South China’s Guangdong province on September 24.

Walking through the Lingnan-style arcade architecture, Douglas Dueno, a US reporter from China Daily, noted that navigating the alleys allowed him to feel the unique and distinctive characteristics of Chinese culture.

He remarked that wearing the traditional Chinese attire made him feel truly like a part of history, which was a brand new experience for him.

Chikan Ancient Commercial Port, a gem at the heart of Chikan district in Zhanjiang city, carries rich historical and cultural significance. Its history can be traced back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279).

After centuries of development and prosperity, during the Kangxi to Qianlong periods of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Chikan Ancient Commercial Port exhibited a splendid scene of a bustling port town, becoming an important hub for economic and cultural exchanges at that time.