Historic Pukou Railway Station Block opens
(CFP)
After undergoing renovation and conservation of its heritage buildings, the Pukou Railway Station Block in Nanjing opened to the public on October 11.
As a cultural landmark in Nanjing, the railway station has a history spanning over 100 years and became a household name as the setting for The Sight of My Father’s Back, a touching essay by Zhu Ziqing written in 1925. The location has also been featured in movies and TV productions.
Today, the block features a bronze statue depicting a figure wearing glasses and a long gown, holding a vibrant orange. This sculpture, inspired by the author, is now a popular spot to horor the literary work and take vintage-style photos.
Nearby is a café housed in a historic building, with its walls adorned with quotes from the father-son dialogue in the essay, paying tribute to this classic of modern Chinese literature.
The block also offers a glimpse into Nanjing's industrial heritage and is a hub of historical and protected buildings. It includes a variety of attractions, such as bookstores, antique and qipao (cheongsam) boutiques, guesthouses, small exhibition halls, snack bars and tea houses.