Dongfeng Town, the "north gate" of Zhongshan, accelerated the pace of urbanization since reform and opening-up. Presently, Dongfeng not only retains its traditional culture as a Lingnan Water Town, but also grows into a vibrant and modern town accommodating many small and medium enterprises.

How can Dongfeng preserve and revitalize the historical memories and nostalgic features? Different villages (communities) have different methods.

Xigubu Village lives and thrives on traditional agriculture and aquaculture. The village is now developing characteristic planting and boosting the industrialization of longan leaf tea. With dominant cultivation techniques, Xigubu Village has 1,200 mu (800,000 square meters) of crisped grass carp farming area in total.

The Xigubu Village Longan Cooperative is located at the Xigu Crisped Grass Carp and Shixia Longan Base. [Photo all by Li Xusheng]

Hetai Village, with an area of around 2 square kilometers, brings together more than 100 industrial enterprises of various scales. Since the old factories in the village are unable to satisfy the business transformation demand, the village committee initiated the old factory renovation to improve business environment, and planned a high-tech industrial zone to attract quality companies and projects.

Hetai Village is actively creating a beautiful and livable village.

Dongxing Community has completed renovation for around 100,000 square meters of old buildings in order to build a characteristic small town. On one hand, old buildings are preserved and rebuilt to museum and exhibition hall as new carriers of culture. On the other hand, new buildings are reconstructed to attract new projects, which revitalizes the old streets with modern business.

Old streets in Dongxi Community begin to take on a new look.

Some porters are receiving an interview at the ferry of Dongxing Community.

Ponds had been replaced by factories that stand for industrial civilization.