Yangqi's new bell brings back city memories

After a two-month reconstruction of its facade, the updated Yangqi Building retains its original style. [Photo/yznews.cn]

After decades standing in the southeast corner of Yangzhou, the Yangqi Building was recently given a two-month-long facade refurbishment that has brought new life to the old building. 

Yangqi, an abbreviation of Yangzhou Qiche, was the former site of Yangzhou Coach Station. Since the late 1960s, the renowned landmark has seen many thousands of people come and go, and has seen the city grow and develop. 

A wooden bell clock at the top of the building has a particularly strong appeal to local residents. 

Although it spent 2013 stuck at 6:33 and badly needing repair, renovation of the bell clock was the project most requested by locals. 

The local government has termed the bell’s reconstruction "an urban memory project". 

Reconstruction began on April 20, keeping with the building's original design while attempting to amplify its architectural safety and practicality. 

Steel structures and lacquer-coating techniques, among others, were applied, unified by the colorful style of nearby store signboards. 

The bell clock was replaced with a new timepiece of almost identical appearance with energy-efficient LED lighting embedded in its dials and an automatic time correction system keeping accuracy at the highest level.