“Dongtoutiao Hutong was built in Hongwu Period of Ming Dynasty. It is one of the earliest Hutongs in Shanhaiguan Ancient City, with a history of more than 600 years. According to experts...” On July 28, at the foot of the gateway of Dongtoutiao Hutong in Shanhaiguan Ancient City of Qinhuangdao, Xu Rixin, a tour guide, was introducing the history of the Hutong to a group of tourists. Even these senior guides are amazed by the great changes in the Hutong.
Crossing the tall gateway, the stores on the south side of the Hutong installed unified door in the style of the ancient. “Old businesses” in the history of ancient city, such as street vendors and porters, are painted on the walls at the north side. The streets are bustling with tourists who are purchasing various souvenirs and bargaining with the businessmen, or posing for pictures with gorgeous landscapes.
“In the past, the bungalows along Dongtoutiao Hutong were shabby, which did not match with the beautiful buildings decorated with flying eaves bucket arch of ancient style. We do not know how to explain it to the tourists. But it has been better since the renovation this year. As the tour guides, we are very proud of our old Hutongs” said Xu Rixin.
According to the staff of Shanhaiguan Ancient City Management Committee, in the past, Dongtoutiao Hutong was messy with wires, and the road surface was damaged. The signboards of various stores were hung outdoors, which seriously affected the city image. Since the creation of the national health city, in order to achieve the “magnificent transformation” of Dongtoutiao Hutong, they have invited professional team of design and construction, based on the principle of “improving quality, saving time, and less intervention”, they comprehensively renovated Hutong. After about half a month, the messy wires and cables were sorted out, and the “old stores” with red bricks and flat roofs changed into “established bushiness” with the blue bricks and gray tiles. The design of the signboard, shop sign, the street lamp, and the trash can has greatly improved the taste of Hutong.
“We also knew that it was not good, but we didn’t know what to do without guidance. But now both our stores and Hutongs have changed, and our business is getting better and better.” Chen Junru, who runs an ornaments store in the west of Dongtoutiao Hutong, said happily. (Correspondent Hu Weida, reporter Ma Chao)
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