This aerial photo taken on June 15, 2023 shows people visiting the Slender West Lake scenic spot in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
NANJING, June 27 -- At the easternmost end of Dongguan Street in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, stands the Marco Polo memorial hall, a museum showing the Italian traveler's journey to the East.
Alessandro Prosperi, an Italian who had lived and worked in Yangzhou for almost eight years, visited this memorial hall and strolled around the old streets with his family regularly during his time in the city.
"In these old streets, I can not only see some historic buildings but also feel the vitality of them after renovation," Prosperi said.
As one of the famous ancient cities of China, Yangzhou has a history of over 2,500 years. The preserved old city of Yangzhou covers an area of 5.09 square km with more than 340 alleys attached to some major historical and cultural streets, including Dongguan Street, Renfengli, and Pishi Street.
Renfengli is a well-preserved historical community constructed in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Yangzhou. It is fishbone-shaped, stretching 700 meters from south to north with 15 alleys connected to it on both the eastern and western sides.
While strolling down Renfengli, tourists can visit historical buildings and traditional residential areas. They can also experience the charm of Yangzhou's rich intangible cultural heritage, including Yangzhou paper-cutting, woodblock printing, and Yangzhou puppet shows.
Yuan Li, 52, was born and raised in Renfengli. She moved out of the old city at 18 and returned two years ago. Around her home, there are stores, teahouses, and Western-style restaurants run by Chinese and Brazilians.
"When I came back, I was impressed by the new appearance of Renfengli, which combines both cultural heritage and modern vitality. The old buildings and old neighbors are still here. Living here is very comfortable," Yuan said, adding that in recent years, not only have old residents returned, but many young people are also willing to reside here.
The restoration of Renfengli symbolizes Yangzhou's broader efforts in safeguarding and breathing new life into its ancient cityscape, a feat achieved through the persistent and effective strategies of the government.
In 1975, Yangzhou formulated its overall urban planning, laying a solid foundation for the protection of its ancient city. After years of work, the authorities in Yangzhou have renovated historical streets and communities while maintaining the city's traditions and cultural charm.
Stretching 1,122 meters, Dongguan Street serves as a vibrant canvas, portraying the rich tapestry of Yangzhou's canal and salt-merchant cultures. It stands as a premier destination for both Chinese and international visitors, offering an immersive experience of Yangzhou's historical narrative, cultural richness, and distinctive lifestyle.
However, Dongguan Street used to be characterized by cramped lanes, dilapidated houses, and substandard sanitation. Since 2007, Yangzhou decided to focus on repairing and updating this old street.
Cheng Aixiang, the safety director who participated in the renovation, said the construction teams adhered to promoting the repair work by preserving the street's original style.
Today, tourists can not only enjoy the history and culture of beautiful gardens and ancient residential buildings on this street but can also visit time-honored stores, coffee shops, and the China-Russia commodity mall.
In protecting and renovating the ancient city, the government has worked to address the challenges of homogenization and over-commercialization.
Pishi Street, a historical lane stretching 689 meters, was once a bustling leather trade center and now forms a connection between Dongguan Street and two other historical districts. Under the collaborative initiative of the government, local residents, and young entrepreneurs, it has been transformed since 2006 into a vibrant locale featuring bookshops, cultural and creative stores, and coffee shops.
Every morning, Wang Jun, a bookstore owner, walks through Pishi Street to his bookstore, one of the favorite places for many young people who love culture and arts. Along with ancient books, the bookstore also sells cultural and creative products such as lamps and umbrellas.
"Ancient books are an important carrier of preserving traditional culture, which cannot simply be shelved or placed in the libraries, but should be as close to young people as possible and integrated into daily life," Wang said. After some alterations, the remnants of ancient books can be turned into exquisite and elegant cultural and creative products that are popular among both visitors and young locals.
"Yangzhou has made continuous efforts to preserve and promote the old city over the years," Prosperi said, adding that the captivating city continues to draw in an international crowd, and he plans to share its blend of rich history and modern vibrancy with even more people.
