Penshurst in Sydney hides a street akin to Shanghai's Hengshan Road

Penshurst is a suburb in southwestern Sydney, not far from the famous southern Chinese suburb of Hurstville. Penshurst Street is the main street of this area, with the area around the train station being the most bustling, featuring supermarkets, grocery stores, beauty salons, bars, clubs, and more. Both sides of the street are lined with towering trees over a hundred years old. The vast majority of homes here are traditional Australian detached houses with courtyards, offering a very peaceful living environment.

Just a few kilometers away is Hurstville, the largest Chinese suburb in the south, along with the massive Westfield shopping center. This allows residents to enjoy the conveniences of the Hurstville Chinese area while escaping the hustle and bustle and embracing a tranquil life.

The main shopping area of Penshurst is centered around the train station.

Penshurst is a historic residential area in the city of Sydney, Australia. It is renowned for its ornate houses and numerous heritage sites.

Penshurst has a long history, with residents appearing in the area as early as 1788 when the first European settlers arrived in Sydney. Initially an agricultural community, it later developed into a popular residential area.

Penshurst Girls' School

The architectural style of Penshurst is a major highlight. There are many ornate houses and historic buildings, each with its own unique character.

This house was built by John Sproule around 1886. John Sproule was the Mayor of Canterbury in 1879 and the Mayor of Hurstville in 1890, 1891, and 1897. The house became a convent in 1935. It is now a heritage-listed building.

Spacious lots here feature many double-fronted homes from the 1920s and medieval-inspired styles, with many houses also having generous backyards.

This street is Penshurst Street, lined with century-old towering trees on both sides. The vast majority of homes here are traditional Australian detached houses with courtyards, offering a very peaceful living environment.

Penshurst Church

This feeling is somewhat reminiscent of walking along Shanghai's Hengshan Road in summer. The tall plane trees on both sides of Hengshan Road are also a beautiful sight.

Compared to Hengshan Road, the trees here may be denser and more lush. After observing, I noticed that this type of tree seems never to have been seen in China.

Penshurst Presbyterian Church is a heritage-listed building. The current church was unveiled in 1961 by the Governor, Lord Del Isle, the owner of Penshurst Place in Kent, England. The original church building was located in Dumbleton (Beverly Hills) and built in 1901. It was transported here in 1916.

Flanking both sides of the wide avenue are towering trees that block out the sun, offering a refreshing coolness beneath the dense shade.

Exterior of Penshurst Mosque

In the past, local residents engaged in a five-year 'struggle' against the mosque. Since the mosque conversion plan was proposed in 2013, residents formed a community association, held protests, distributed flyers, and collected signatures, successfully blocking the DA in early 2014. However, the applicant revised the plan and resubmitted it in late 2015. Despite nearly 2,000 objections from residents, the LPP ultimately approved it.

Yidier's House was built in 1887 for Daniel James, a tailor in Sydney. It sits on seven acres of land. It is now a heritage-listed building.

Penshurst is surrounded by natural scenery, including parks, rivers, and nature reserves. If you want to experience nature, you can take a stroll in the local parks, wander around, and enjoy the fresh air while walking, feeling the wonderful essence of the area.