(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.