Directory_and_Chronicle_1923 — Page 707

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

652

MUKDEN

Settlement set aside for the foreign residential and business quarter. Most of the big yamên and Government buildings were erected in 1908, and throughout the city a great deal of building has been going on during recent years. In 1920 new houses were built by the Standard Oil Co., the British-American Tobacco Co., and the Banque Industrielle de Chine (the only foreign bank, other than Japanese established at Mukden). Actually miles of new houses-good-looking red-brick structures-are springing up, and the Railway Settlement is fast being linked up with the Chinese business quarter. At two points of junction of three main streets, and therefore not quite in the middle of the city, are placed two towers called the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower, respectively. The street between these towers is the principal business street of Mukden, and in it are situated all the most important shops and banks. The whole of the main streets were reconstructed and re-metalled during 1907-08. The streets and many shops are lighted by electricity, the use of which has spread with remarkable rapidity. On December 1st, 1920, a long-distance Japanese telephone service was inaugurated between Mukden and Antung. According to the census taken by the police in 1920, the Chinese population was returned as 219,750. are about 12,000 Japanese in the city, suburbs and Japanese Settlement.

There

Nurhachu, the founder of the Manchu dynasty, established himself at Mukden in 1625, and his tomb (the Tungling, Eastern tomb), about seven miles east of the city, is an object of great interest. The great mound and funeral hall are enclosed within a high wall pierced by one large gateway which holds three arched portals, and the avenue of approach is spanned by two lofty stone arches elaborately sculptured. Two massive couchant lions guard the portal. "Nurhachu's son is buried at the Peiling (Northern tomb), about 4 miles to the north of the city. The tomb is similar in arrangement to the Tungling. There are many other objects of Manchu historical interest in the town and its vicinity. Accommodation for foreign visitors is at present somewhat limited. There are, however, two fairly good hotels in the Japanese Settlement-the Yamato Hotel, run by the South Manchuria Railway Company; and the Miyako Hotel. Mukden has long been a centre of missionary activity, and is now becoming an important commercial and industrial centre as well.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1923 — Page 707

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