European Warehouses, China, 19th Century

European Warehouses, China, 19th Century

The Thirteen Factories was an area of Guangzhou (Canton), China, where the first foreign trade was allowed in the 18th century since the hai jin ban on maritime activities. It is also referred to as the "Thirteen Hongs" or the "Canton Factories". The Western merchants were allowed to occupy two- or three-story buildings, set back one hundred yards from the river. Each factory contained three or four houses. The warehouses occupied the first floors and elegant apartments were on the second and third floors of the houses. The square in front of the factories was fenced and reserved for foreigners. The streets immediately adjoining the factories were named Thirteen Factory Street, Old China Street, and Hog Lane. These streets were filled with retail stores selling a wide variety of Chinese goods. The factory system came to an end in 1842 with the Treaty of Nanking. The factories burned down in 1856 during the Second Opium War. Entitled: "Der Europaischen factoreyen in Canton." Image taken from page of China, historisch romantisch, malerisch (historically romantic, picturesque). A translation by Thomas Allom with historical and descriptive notes by the Rev. G. N. Wright, published 1843.

THOMAS ALLOM

Album / Science Source / British Library

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