Taishan Haikou Port Museum: Meet China’s Migrant Past

There was a time when Haikou Bu (海口埠)—“Haikou Port”—resounded with the creak of wooden hulls, the hum of foreign tongues, and the determined voices of those poised to venture across oceans. Perched at the meeting of the Datong (大同) and Duanfen (端芬) Rivers in Taishan (台山)’s Duanfen (端芬) Town, this trading post once sent waves of Guangfu (广府) migrants into distant lands. Over decades, turmoil and changing currents hushed its thriving streets. Now, careful restoration and community collaboration have rekindled its spirit, inviting descendants who carry its legacy in their hearts—and curious newcomers captivated by cross-cultural odysseys—to rediscover the world that began here.

At the Heart: The Haikou Port Museum (Qiaopi (侨批) Museum)

Today, the centerpiece of Haikou Bu (海口埠)’s cultural revival is the Qiaopi (侨批) Museum, often searched for and referenced as the “Haikou Port Museum.” Within its halls, visitors encounter original qiaopi (侨批) documents—overseas Chinese remittances paired with intimate family letters—alongside historical photographs, maps, and cultural artifacts. These carefully curated displays illuminate the resilience, devotion, and entrepreneurial spirit that once surged through the port’s arteries. By examining the museum’s six thematic sections and its 648 porcelain qiaopi (侨批) replicas, guests gain more than a textbook understanding; they experience the emotional heartbeat of a community shaped by global tides.

Respecting Authenticity and Heritage

The revitalization of Haikou Bu (海口埠) follows a guiding principle of “repairing the old as old.” Rather than erasing history, artisans and historians restore original façades and nuanced architectural elements. Visitors amble along streets that still whisper of old merchants, bustling exchange houses, and families bound for unfamiliar shores. Meanwhile, newly built scenic pathways and restored riverfront walks transition seamlessly between historical structures and fresh vistas, ensuring an enriched, immersive experience.

Stories from the Community and Youth

Haikou Bu (海口埠)’s resurgence depends on more than governmental support—it thrives on local memory. Elders share personal anecdotes, cherished photographs, and family keepsakes, ensuring that intangible heritage endures. Younger generations, inspired by “Village Tour and Heritage Learning (巡村学古),” and empowered by social media, document and promote their hometown’s stories. They produce short videos, blogs, and digital narratives that cross oceans as effortlessly as their ancestors once did, galvanizing a global community of diaspora descendants and cultural enthusiasts.

Immersive Cultural Encounters

Beyond the Haikou Port Museum’s exhibits, visitors can engage directly with living history. Orienteering competitions along segments of the South Guangdong Ancient Post Road (南粤古驿道) conjure the routes once traveled by emigrants. Through symbolic workshops and guided tours, guests catch a glimpse of the determination that pushed families to depart and the hope that led them back. Multilingual signage and well-placed interpretation panels support a deeper understanding of these layered narratives, fostering empathy and personal connection.

Education, Research, and International Reach

Haikou Bu (海口埠)’s renewal is not confined to tourism. Educational institutions and research bodies collaborate with local archives and museums, converting the former Dongling School (东陵学校) into a 华侨文化研学基地 (Overseas Chinese Culture Study Center). There, students, scholars, and community members access digitized archives, engage in cross-cultural dialogues, and exchange new perspectives on migration and heritage. These efforts extend beyond physical borders, ensuring that overseas researchers and interested parties can explore Haikou Bu (海口埠)’s cultural wealth, strengthening global ties and cross-border understanding.

Broadening the Experience—Present and Future

While details on specific nighttime events remain limited, current initiatives suggest that Haikou Bu (海口埠) aims to extend its storytelling beyond daylight hours. Tying cultural activities to international heritage commemorations, inviting traveling exhibitions, or hosting thematic gatherings can cultivate a multifaceted environment. In doing so, Haikou Bu (海口埠) continues to evolve, keeping pace with a world eager for interactive and meaningful cultural engagement.

A Global Heritage Connection

Ultimately, Haikou Bu (海口埠)—re-centered around the Haikou Port Museum—serves as a vivid testament to resilience, cultural exchange, and human aspiration. It invites those whose ancestors once departed these shores to reconnect with their origins and encourages curious visitors to understand a migration narrative that transcends time and geography. As new generations discover old stories, the village’s legacy endures, bridging worlds and rekindling the spirit of a port that shaped countless journeys, both then and now.