Chongqing - Once-run-down lanes have become popular spots for visitors, part of a city renewal drive aiming to revive 200 historic alleys by 2027.

Beyond the crowds at landmarks such as Hongyadong and Jiefangbei, many of Chongqing's National Day visitors went somewhere quieter: the city's newly restored back alleys.

These "Mountain City Back Alleys" offer local street life, snacks, and culture. They have become popular places for both tourists and residents to relax and spend money.

Visitors take photos in Mountain City Alley, Chongqing. (Photo/Zhang Chunxiao and Li Ziying)

A once-neglected trading hub now draws over 300,000 holiday visits

In Qianjiang District, the Qifang Qixiang historic quarter, whose name means "seven lanes and seven alleys," drew more than 300,000 visits during the holiday.

"The old streets have gray bricks and tiled roofs and a real sense of history," said Xiang Lunyong, a tourist from Hubei province, on Oct. 5. "Besides local snacks, you can see intangible cultural heritage and learn about the history. It's worth taking your time."

The quarter was once a busy trading hub where ancient salt roads met old courier routes, and it forms the heart of Qianjiang's old town. Over the years, it fell into disrepair, with potholed streets and a cluttered environment. Under a city renewal program, the district kept the quarter's traditional architecture while upgrading its underground pipes and other infrastructure. Each lane and alley was given its own theme. The quarter reopened in phases this year, improving residents' living conditions and creating a new tourist landmark.

An old neighborhood grows young again

On the banks of the Yangtze River in Nan'an District, the Houbao community drew a steady stream of visitors to its coffee shops, hotpot restaurants and bookshops, despite rain during the first days of the holiday.

Built on a hillside in the 1980s, the community has 47 residential buildings. Over time, its facilities aged and it lacked proper property management. In 2021, the district began renovating 170,000 square meters of old housing there and added green spaces and places to rest, said Xu Lu, an official with the Nan'an District Housing and Urban-Rural Development Commission. A private company now runs the area, and its revenue helps fund property management and community services.

The neighborhood now attracts more than 2 million visits a year, and over 1,800 former residents have moved back.

"A few years ago this was an old residential area, mostly elderly people," said Yang, a resident in her 80s. "Now the environment is better, there are more shops and lots of young people come to visit. Even we residents feel younger."

Chongqing aims to bring 200 Mountain City Back Alleys back to life by 2027

As a historic city and an old industrial base, Chongqing has many old lanes that long lacked basic facilities. In recent years, the city has upgraded roads, parking, shops and green spaces in key back streets. It has also attracted cultural, commercial, and ecological resources, such as guesthouses, trendy Chinese-style shops, and specialty restaurants.

So far, 65 Mountain City Back Alleys have been completed, including Mountain City Alley, Beicangli and the twelve lanes of Ciqikou Ancient Town. Together, they draw more than 20 million visits a year.

Wang Shenchuan, chief engineer of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, said the city will tailor improvements to each alley and combine old streets and buildings with new businesses and consumer experiences. The goal is to complete 200 Mountain City Back Alleys by the end of 2027.