Travel Guide Humen 虎门

This conurbation of over 200,000 souls was formerly called the «door of the Tiger». Located in the virtuous triangle of the Perles River, close to Township (80 km), Shenzhen (73 km), Zhuhai (100 km), Hong Kong and Macao, Humen has experienced in recent years incredible economic growth, as many conurbations in the region. New industrial city, it now looks like many Chinese cities without charm and interest.Its history, however, deeply marked contemporary China. Indeed, it was Humen that Lin Zexu, then Imperial Commissioner of Guangdong Province, declared war on opium trafficking. In June 1839, he burned over 20,000 crates (approximately 1,188 tons) of opium confiscated to the British in the middle of the city. They responded by force and sent a shipment of 4,000 men: This is the beginning of the first Opium War. The settlers first besieged Canton and then headed north. In February 1841, they took control of the Pearl River and Forts (including Fort Shajiao) in Humen. On August 29, 1942, the so-called «unequal» Nankin treaties sealed Chinese capitulation.Today, Humen attracts some passionate history tourists to visit the Opium War Museum and the Naval Battle Museum. A day is enough to visit both museums and wander around the city, which does not have much interest. However, Humen can be a welcome stopover if you spend a few days in Canton and want to get out of town.