“Once the road was fixed and the lights turned on, the street was completely transformed. With such a beautiful environment, how could anyone bear to litter or leave things scattered around?” remarked resident He Yi in Zebeilu Community, Dongjie Street, Chengqu District, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province.
In recent years, Jincheng City has completed comprehensive upgrades of 271 back alleys in its main urban area with high quality, blazing a new trail in modern urban development where civilized construction and urban renewal advance hand in hand.
Li Qinqin, head of the Propaganda Department of Jincheng's Chengqu District Committee, explained that based on in-depth research, the local government categorized the 271 alleys and implemented systematic, targeted solutions to effectively address residents' urgent concerns.
“Before, vehicles were parked haphazardly, making passage difficult. Now, there are more parking spaces and wider roads—it's much more convenient!” said Han Chaochao, a resident of Fengming Community. The 200-meter-long Jinhuinan Lane in Zhongjiazhuang Street connects a police station, school, and health center, handling heavy foot and vehicle traffic. Today, this alley has transformed from a “frustrating bottleneck” into a smooth and orderly “heartwarming street.”
Jincheng City has systematically advanced comprehensive alleyway renovations, illegal structure removals, and old residential area upgrades. Particularly around schools, hospitals, and markets—areas with high foot traffic—it has implemented targeted “micro-surgeries” on back alleys. This includes adding 11 parent waiting areas, 2,300 charging stations, and standardizing 351 time-limited vendor stalls, comprehensively addressing public concerns.
Jinxixi Alley in Nanjie Subdistrict, Chengqu District, serves as a vital link between Fengtai Street and Jinguang Community. This year, the alley's environment has undergone significant improvement. Jincheng City's simultaneous advancement of alleyway renovations and old residential area upgrades has not only revitalized the streetscape but also resolved issues like damaged road surfaces and illegal street vending. Witnessing her neighborhood's transformation, resident Fan Xinfang remarked, “It looks so much tidier now. This makeover has made everything clean and refreshing!”
These environmental upgrades have also helped resolve many grassroots conflicts.
In Huifu Lane, Zhongjiazhuang Subdistrict, newly laid rainwater and sewage pipes, orderly sidewalks, and bright streetlights collectively outline a livable new landscape. The newly built small park and mobile library at the street corner provide residents with pleasant leisure spots. “The roads are now unobstructed, and there are more recreational venues. Conflicts over road space and public areas have decreased by more than half,” said Kong Yuying, Party branch secretary of the community where Huifu Lane is located. " said Kong Yuying, Party branch secretary of the community where Huifu Lane is located.
Back alleys form the veins of a city's memory. During their comprehensive renovation, Jincheng City integrated locally representative cultural elements with strong resonance and identity, creating a series of boutique streets and lanes that preserve memories and evoke nostalgia through tailored designs.
Along Jingde Bridge in Xijie Street, the echoes of camel bells from ancient trade routes are etched into reliefs and decorative walls, narrating the millennia-old tales of “postal road merchant guilds.”
Beside Huanghua Street in Nanjie Street, faded old photographs and weathered house numbers intertwine with meticulously restored brick carvings and wooden ornaments, recreating the vibrant, warm-hearted street life of old Jincheng.
Along Shuyuan Street in Beijie Subdistrict, a “micro-cultural corridor” created from an abandoned corner has become a favorite spot for residents to relax after meals...
“Every alley in Jincheng has a story, every corner holds a memory. When my granddaughter asks what the people in the photos are doing, I tell her tales of the Shanxi merchants. These renovations not only improve the environment but also enrich our spiritual lives,” said Han Xiaoli, a retired worker viewing old photos with her granddaughter.
“Backstreets and alleys are not only the fabric of people's livelihoods but also windows showcasing civilization,” stated Wang Jing, Deputy Director of the Jincheng Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department and Director of the Municipal Civilization Office. He emphasized that future efforts will continue exploring a long-term management mechanism of “one alley, one strategy,” deepening the transformation of backstreets from mere renovation to effective management and utilization. While preserving their original character, these streets and alleys will become scenic routes that display urban civilization and carry forward historical heritage. (By Zheng Yangyang and Pei Nannan)