Busy streets, various shops, crowds of people... We can tell from the name of the street as we see this sight. Here is the Xinglong Street, known as the most prosperous market center in Dali Town, Nanhai District.

When times change, so as this old street.

Around the corner of Dali overpass, there seems to be a time portal. Houses are hidden among the tall buildings with traces of time left on the spotted wall. Those old memories are refreshed on citizens' minds.

Schematic map of Xinglong Street

Auntie Cen, who came to Xinglong Street to learn weaving vines, has lived in this place for over 40 years. "In the old days, the first restaurant of Dali was the famous Dali Restaurant. Shops like hardware shop, seed shop and department shop were lying on the roadsides. "

"The most prosperous time could date back to 1970s and 80s. Whenever the county fair was held, the streets were lined with vendors selling products, handicrafts, piglets and livestock. Villagers would gather to buy what they need." When Auntie Cen recalled all these old memories, a big smile came up on her face. "Every year on January 14th in lunar calendar, the lion festival attracted people from nearby villages. Streets were very lively with bustling people and bicycles."

The bustling Dalixu market in the 60s

Although Xinglong Street is not that long, it is lively and vibrant. The street was well-equipped with facilities of recreation, education and medicare.

Dali Cinema

Located right behind Dali Park, Dali Cinema was built in 1993. Since people could watch movies, sing and dance here, you can imagine how much great time Dali people had here. In 1991, it also broke the box office record in Foshan. In an age when entertainment life was not so abundant, happiness could actually be this simple.

Yinxin Building

As the tallest building in Dali after the reform and opening up, Yinxin Building was one of the landmark buildings in Dali with elevators.

Bakery Building

Walking along the Xinglong Street, you can see that the Bakery Building still remains the same as before. People can recall the aroma of those freshly baked pastries.

Dali Center Elementary School

Dali Hospital

Built in 1958, Dali Hospital has moved to Chengnan New Area. The old site has now become the finest retirement home in Dali.

Light Playground

Shops with decades of history still remain true to original aspiration

As city grows, new shops and plaza have been built in surrounding areas of Xinglong Street. Despite the fading popularity, there are still old neighborhood people running business here to keep this precious memory.

Xiangyang Hardware Shop

Speaking of old shops, the 70-year-old Xiangyang Hardware Shop must be mentioned. Being the first hardware shop on the street, it sells tools that no longer appear in the mall.

Dali Barber Shop

This is the only Barber Shop on the street at that time. Forty years ago, it only cost 15 cents to have a haircut and shave beards.

Whatever the changes, the exclusive memory of Xinglong Street is irreplaceable. Here, you can feel the charm of the place if you hear old stories and memories from locals...

Author | Linn

Revisor | Eddie, May

Source | Foshan Release