Heritage Chic

　　Situated just west of the downtown core area of Chengdu and within close proximity to the city’s currently most famous architectural heritage attraction of Qintai Lu, the newly refurbished Kuan and Zhai Lanes have recently opened to the public. While foreign visitors of the trekker-set have been aware of the area for years, as it is home to the Dragontown Hostel, a popular backpacker hangout, local expats are just beginning to notice. And notice they should. The Kuan and Zhai Lanes are an eclectic mix of craft stands, shops, restaurants, coffee shops and teahouses that have really captured the essence of the old city, while providing for modern conveniences favored by the nouveau urban dweller.

　　Matt Vegh, a Canadian expat residing in the heritage zone’s neighboring complex of Chang Fu Xin Cheng is very pleased.“I love it.”said Vegh.“I had a friend who owned one of the old teahouses on the original street. It was a beauty and took me back to the good old days of what must have epitomized the Chengdu lifestyle of the day. But now; this new setup is what I am talking about! That perfect blend of old and new Chengdu. Very stylish; a kind of heritage chic, if you will say. Besides that, it’s sure to drive up the value of homes in the area, including mine! Bonus!”

　　Restoration of the Kuan and Zhai Lanes began five years ago and some work is ongoing still, with many shops still in the decoration phase, but the lanes are quickly filling up with visitors seeking both a relaxing, traditional atmosphere and modern nightlife option. Crowds are already bustling around the zone and photographers; professional and amateur alike, are snapping pictures of the‘new’lanes.

　　Asked about which lane he favored, Mr. Vegh said that“comparing the Zhai and Kuan Lanes right now is a little difficult because both lanes have their own appeal. Perhaps what I like best are the little passageways between them! The houses and decorations on the doors, roofs and locks are so fantastic, with stone lions, red ribbons, decorative nameplates and exquisite woodwork.”

　　The alleys also have an array of traditional handicrafts which are a big attraction for tourists. Restaurants on the lanes are also unique in that if you want to have dinner in a restaurant or have a rest in a teahouse, one must knock on the door first and after a few seconds, a waiter or waitress will open the door and tell you what they are serving in the shop today. By night, the lights are turned up and the lanes convert into a new-wave area for chic nightclubs and bars.

　　About the zone’s dual-role, teahouses-by-day and bars-by-night, the Canadian expat remarked,“This previously little-known area is surely to become a stop on any Chengdu visitor’s itinerary. It’s a gem. And I’m sure we’ll see some foreigner-oriented bars opening up along here to give local expats a taste of the good old days, but with a modern twist.

　　by Evelyn Yan

　　Cuban singer visits oldstreets

　　Milly, a singer and pianist working at Intercontinental Hotel, visited the reconstructed old streets, Kuan Lane, Zhai Lane and Jing Lane on Thursday. It is the first time that she visited the old streets with the Chengdu style.

　　Entering the Kuan Lane, Milly was attracted by the traditional decoration of the street.“I know its decoration is with full traditional Chinese style. I have seen such kind of style in Jinli. I like it very much, and it’s a special experience for me to see the old streets in Chengdu, a modernized metropolis.”

　　When Milly entered an old courtyard in Kuan Lane, she was happy to see the authentic life of local people. She said there are similar courtyards in Cuba. Milly wandered to a special small booth in the Kuan Lane and was attracted by traditional Chinese papercut and leather cut.“I feel very happy to walk in the special streets. I can see many things about Chengdu that I can’t see in other places.”

　　As a singer who has been in Chengdu for one year, Milly now works in the Intercontinental Hotel. I always work at night and have little time to visit the famous scenic spots in the city.”

　　Milly is very happy to have a chance to visit the old street with traditional local style. She stood beside a door decorated with Mianzhu Lunar New Year Painting and take pictures.“I will share these pictures with my friends,”she said.

　　When she was about to leave, Milly wrote down the names of Kuan Lane and Zhai Lane, in Chinese and English.“I will come back here again. And I’ll show the names to the taxi driver,”she said happily.