Jiulongpo Democracy Village, Banpo Settlement, Fireworks Market District. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee).
On the small square, a "village evening" is being held, with folk music, chorus, acrobatics, magic, Sichuan opera and other programs staged in turn, attracting hundreds of citizens and tourists**; In the Xunguang market on the street, various stalls such as barbecue, handicrafts, rock sugar gourds and so on are lined up, and people come from all directions, in an endless stream; Around the street square and under the residential buildings, restaurants, cafes, and teahouses are full of customers, and there is a ......scene of thriving businessOn the evening of January 27, the Democracy Village area located in Xiejiawan Street, Jiulongpo District, was full of fireworks and lively.
The Democracy Village area is a new 'popular check-in place' in Chongqing, and many citizens and tourists come to check in every day. The relevant person in charge of the Jiulongpo District Housing and Urban-Rural Construction Committee said that during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday last year, the highest number of people in a single day here exceeded 30,000.
What is the attraction of the Democracy Village area? Recently, the reporter inquired about this.
Buildings that carry historical memories make the most beautiful scenery.
Coming out of the southern district of Chongqing Vientiane City, you can see the fashionable and colorful gate archway of Democracy Village from a distance, and the three words "Democracy Village" are particularly eye-catching.
Walking into the Democracy Village, there are bluestone-paved streets at your feet, which are simple and elegant. Not far from the entrance, "Box No. 1" stands out – a dark red wall with a few old stamps and a large envelope. Next to it, there is also a green mailbox.
On September 1, 1953, Chongqing Construction Factory became the main unit of "No. 1 Mailbox" in Chongqing, and it was the only unit in Chongqing that used a one-digit mailbox. In the past, it was used by veteran employees and residents of the construction plant to convey information, express their wishes, and make suggestions, but now local residents can still deliver letters through the newly established "No. 1 mailbox" to reflect their problems and demands.
Further on from the "No. 1 Mailbox", on both sides of the street and around it, there are many old-fashioned Soviet-style red brick buildings, together with the yellow kudzu trees that can be seen everywhere and flourish, forming a beautiful picture. A Soviet expert building built in the 50s of the 20th century has now become a community living room for the history and culture of the Democracy Village and the Chongqing Construction Factory. The walls are made of red bricks, but the steel structure and glass cover are added to the outside of the wall, which looks simple and modern.
The village was a family area left behind after the relocation of the construction plant, and there were more than 100 Soviet-style red brick houses, the oldest of which was more than 70 years old. In the past, when viewed from the air, these red brick houses formed the three words "construction factory", which was the pride of several generations. Today, although these red brick houses are dressed in "new clothes", the red bricks and white walls complement each other, but the overall historical imprint is still retained.
Qin Dongli, a tourist from Sichuan who was taking pictures, said that these buildings carrying historical memories are the most beautiful scenery in the Democratic Village area.
The red brick building collides with the business, forming a "strong magnetic field" for drainage
The charm of the Democratic Village area is not only reflected in the scenery. The collision of red brick buildings and commerce, the integration of historical elements and the atmosphere of the times, tradition and fashion, is also the "strong magnetic field" of drainage in the Democratic Village area.
In the Democratic Village area, from the northernmost to the central and then to the southernmost, it is divided into three areas: the trendy fashion area of the pop-up square, the core functional area of the construction canal, and the fireworks market area of the Banpo settlement. The three areas are home to a variety of unique restaurants and retail outlets, such as hot pot restaurants, coffee shops, tea houses, bars, community canteens, barbecue restaurants, Thai restaurants, and art shops.
In the community canteen of Minzhu Village, located in the central region, there are more than 20 delicious dishes every day**, and community residents only need 16 yuan, and other citizens and tourists only need 18 yuan, you can have a good meal. There are also greater discounts for the elderly over 60 years old and the elderly, who are difficult, disabled and lonely in the community. There are many books in the reading corner of the cafeteria, where people can chat, drink tea, read books, and work.
The Democracy Village Market is an interesting place. In the market, there are not only vegetable and meat vendors, but also a barbecue restaurant. This barbecue restaurant is highly sought after by netizens for its unique creativity and taste, and has been called "the best creative restaurant on the whole network in 2023".
Can you imagine? In the vegetable market, sitting at the stall selling melons, fruits, onions and garlic, accompanied by the beautiful ** sound, watching the chef roast the meat out of the charred aroma, this is the conflict experience between elegance and the market, and it is also a wonderful stimulation that integrates the five senses. Some netizens sighed after experiencing it.
In addition to these, various special events such as band performances, fairs, "village evenings", spring markets, etc., also add a lot of charm to the democratic village area.
Micro-renovation and clever use have given the old community a new glow.
Looking back on the past, the Democratic Village area was a different scene: old houses are damaged, supporting facilities are aging, roads are potholes, and the living environment is "dirty and messy". Some people jokingly say that the former Democratic Village area is a scar of the city, and the adjacent Chongqing MixC and Longhu Xicheng Tianjie two prosperous commercial districts seem to be two worlds.
In November 2021, Jiulongpo District launched the urban renewal project of the Democracy Village area. Based on the four-character policy of "retention, reconstruction, demolition and addition", the project carries out micro-renovation and skillful use of the old residential areas in the area, which not only retains the historical imprint of the democratic village area, but also gives it the style of a modern city.
On April 28, 2023, the 198-acre area of the Urban Renewal Project (Phase I) of the Democratic Village Area was renovated, with a total of nearly 3,000 square meters of dilapidated houses, 58 old houses renovated and upgraded, and 4,000 square meters of new commercial carriers. At present, the total commercial area in the area exceeds 8,600 square meters, and there are more than 300 newly introduced merchants and existing merchants.
At the same time, the first phase of the project also opens up convenient roads for residents to Chongqing MixC and Longhu Xicheng Tianjie, so that the Democracy Village area is connected with Chongqing MixC and Yangjiaping business districts.
At present, the urban renewal project (phase II) of the Democratic Village area is progressing steadily. The project is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2024.
Check-in strategy for the Democracy Village area
Take Rail Transit Line 2 or Ring Line and exit from Exit 6 of Xiejiawan Station to enter Chongqing MixC City. Exit from the southern district of Chongqing Vientiane City and enter the northernmost part of the Democratic Village area. From north to south, you can check in and consume in the trendy fashion area of the pop-up plaza, the core functional area of the construction canal, and the fireworks market area of the Banpo settlement. Finally, you can take the escalator from the southernmost side out of the Democratic Village area and enter Longhu Xicheng Tianjie.