Old Chengdu restored to its glorious past

( original article from Sat, Jan 15, 2011
My Sinchew/Asia News Network )

 
 


JINBAO, China - A city steeped in history will always leave a long-lasting impression in people.
The district of Jinbao in Chengdu, China, boasts hundreds of years of history, and some of the old quarters there indeed are worth preserving, such as the "Shorty Stores," the ancient temple and war entrenchment, among others.

These wonderful relics from a bygone era have the potentials of being gazetted as heritage buildings.

The wealth of cultural legacy painstakingly preserved by the Chinese government plays an important role in luring tourists from around the world to the city of Chengdu. One of the amazing things about this burgeoning city is the preservation of the "Broad Alley" and the "Narrow Alley."

"Broad Alley" and "Narrow Alley" are two streets each about a hundred metres long. It has been said that the streets are at least 400 years old.

According to the records, the Qing imperial court dispatched troops to southern China in in 1718, and more than a thousand soldiers were stationed around the place.

Today, these two alleys have been given a new lease of life while their erstwhile appearances restored to their glorious past. Residents living in these alleys have got used to the quiet and peaceful ambience there despite rapid changes taking place in the vicinity over the centuries.

The "Broad Alley" and "Narrow Alley" not only epitomise the ancient yet youthful city of Chengdu, they are also leaving behind indelible memories among the people of Chengu.
The hallmark of Old Chengdu, "Broad Alley" and "Narrow Alley" should be included in the itineraries of backpack travellers visiting the capital city of Sichuan.

Whether you are a local resident, an outsider or merely a foreign visitor, the moment you step inside one of these two quaint little alleys and spend some time sipping a cup of hot tea, you can feel that time has been turned back to the Old Chengdu centuries ago.

If properly restored, the two rows of "shorty stores" along Dugong Street boasting a few hundred years of history, are bound to lure the tourists to come here and savour the life of yesteryear.

If this invaluable historical legacy can be kept, restored, preserved and immortalised, they can make Jinbao a truly memorable place for future generations of residents to rekindle their city's glorious past.