"The renovation of all 114 rural houses will be fully completed in a few days." On December 12, standing beneath the century-old kapok tree on Qingping Street in Dachong Community, Cao Haolin, vice mayor candidate of Dachong Town, shared this update.

Bathed in sunlight, the red mural marking Dr Xiao Jinle's residence whispers tales of the old street. Beige arcade buildings radiate a warm glow, red bougainvillea blooms along the street, and the eco-park beside the Jiwei River teems with lush greenery. As the only preserved arcade street in Zhongshan's town and village areas, Qingping Street is poised for a stunning metamorphosis.

For this rural housing renovation project, Dachong Community has invested over 10 million yuan to preserve arcade architectural features while upgrading rural housing quality, primarily along Qingping Street and Jiwei Avenue. 

Iconic Nanyang-style elements like colonnades and carved decorations have been meticulously restored, with damaged walls repaired and modern amenities added, including under-eaves lighting, connected corridors, and pedestrian walkways, blending historic charm with contemporary convenience.

"On New Year's Day, Dachong will host a denim-themed activity on Qingping Street," Cao said. The town plans to leverage the characteristics of the denim industry to transform the street into a "denim culture block" with a denim museum and brand showrooms, offering visitors a deep dive into the denim culture.