National Famous Historical and Cultural City status achieved

Shanghai Road in Changchun after being reconstructed.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Restoring three historical precincts in Changchun, an important part of the old quarter's reconstruction, have helped make it a new cultural landmark and promoted the city's successful formal application to become a designated National Famous Historical and Cultural City.

That is according to the Changchun city government, which saw the city promoted to its new status on July 3.

China's State Council approved about a hundred National Famous Historical and Cultural Cities in batches in 1980s and early 1990s, and approved another series of cities subsequently.

A National Famous Historical and Cultural City is defined as a city with an unusual wealth of cultural relics of high historical value and major significance.

The three Changchun precincts behind the successful application are Dongtian Street in Nanguan district, as well as the eastern area and the western area of Beijing Street in Kuancheng district.

In line with the Changchun conservation plan, they are being restored with a strong sense of awareness of their cultural elements and cultural identity.

Liu Yansong, the vice-president of Changchun Institute of Urban Planning and Design, said that Dongtian Street was built as a commercial street, in an area totaling 1.84 hectares.

Under the restoration plans, the street will retain its original layout and style and develop businesses along the street, including a themed exhibition zone, entertainment zone, cultural experience zone and a central square.

"We will not only remove illegal buildings and restore the original appearance of the historical architecture, but also improve traditional courtyard spaces and add historical elements and modern functions," Liu said.

The western area of Beijing Street, located near the Jilin provincial government building, occupies an area of 4.14 hectares.

The reconstruction of this historical area is focused on the traditional-style architecture of buildings and their facades, and cultural relics during the "Manchukuo" period - a puppet regime set up in northeastern China by Japan in 1932-45.

Liu said that the repair work to the facades would retain historical materials. The buildings, when restored, will have multiple uses. These will include housing public services, as well as community, and communal facilities. There will be office areas and hotels will be established to promote the revival of the area.

Another precinct undergoing restoration, the eastern area of Beijing Street, occupying an area of 4.48 hectares, will change its purpose. It will move from being primarily residential to incorporating boutique hotels, offices and innovation industries. It will house cultural exhibitions, as well as have leisure and recreational functions.

Next to the Yitong River, formerly an important waterway for Changchun, and surrounded by historical relics, such as Wen Temple, also known as Confucius Temple, the community will form a cultural sightseeing belt, according to Liu.

In addition, Changchun City Planning and Changchun Sculpture Office selected a total of 28 artworks from Changchun World Sculpture Park, Jingyue Sculpture Park and Qikai Sculpture Park. It erected them on Changchun Cultural Square, Chongqing Road, Shanghai Road and downtown sites, according to Wang Mingshan, director of the Changchun World Sculpture Park.

In various important areas and public zones in Chongqing Road's commercial streets and in Jinjiang Square in Lyuyuan district, a number of permanent sculptures are to be placed.

"During the reconstruction of the old city, erecting sculptures and artworks on the streets creates a new spatial environment and enhances the quality of the urban culture," Wang added.