This photo shows the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
CHONGQING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.
Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. The Little firm was also the first foreign firm in Chongqing when Chongqing opened its port.
Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago.
The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. With the building successfully repaired, the local government has developed it into a history museum.
Tourists visit the the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
Tourists visit the Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
This aerial photo shows the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
A tourist takes photos in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
This stitched aerial photo shows tourists enjoying the night view in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
A tourist watches a tea art show in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
Tourists take photos in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
Tourists visit the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
This aerial photo shows the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
This aerial photo shows the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
This aerial photo shows tourists enjoying the night view in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
A tourist watches a music show in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin)
This aerial photo shows tourists enjoying the night view in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
This aerial photo shows the night view in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
A tourist visits the site of the former Little firm in Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park in southwest China's Chongqing, June 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)■
