Tea as the matchmaker: reconstruction of the former Russian concession in Hankow through semiotic landscape

The semiotic landscape serves as a matrix in which cultural codes and historical values are expressed through symbolic forms. Applying Lefebvre’s theory of social space as the analytical framework and drawing on interviews with local residents, this study examines how the semiotic landscape of the former Russian concession in Hankow, Wuhan, integrates linguistic, cultural, political and historical elements to transform the area’s identity, reshaping it from an ‘occupied region’ to a popular cultural attraction. The findings reveal that the semiotic landscape reflects a dynamic interplay among power relations, culture promotion and political purpose. The semiotic landscape is modified mainly through three approaches: enhancing and idealising historical narratives, recontextualizing existing semiotic resources and introducing new artistic appeal on the old symbols. The reconstruction of the semiotic landscape aims to reverse public perception of the regional identity, while also adapting the collective memory to foster a renewed image of the region. Tea emerges as a significant cultural symbol, acting as an intermediary that receives emphasis in the landscape and strengthens the public’s emotional connection to the area. This study highlights the role of semiotic landscapes as active archives of historical and social evolution, demonstrating how memory and identity are continuously redefined through it.