Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

Xiangzhou plans to spruce up the district even more in 2017 as well as stage some exciting new public events so that residents can enjoy a vibrant social scene, it was announced at a meeting held on Feb 23.  

The government's policy with regards to revitalizing the district doesn't center around building skyscrapers as is popular in such an industrial age, but rather, around restoring and revitalizing Xiangzhou's ancient architecture. 

The government will spend 500,000 yuan ($72,738) in 2017 on improving historic sites and places which hold cultural value in the district. 

Su Manshu's Former Residence, where the Su Manshu School of Literature is located today. [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Xiangzhou WeChat] 

The makeover will be meticulous, such as making sure a century-old tree is well cared for, and restoring some places which have become run down over the course of time. Gardens, sculptures, public murals, and green landscaping are all included in the plan. 

A series of fun public leisure activities were also announced at the meeting.

Having succeeded in holding its year-long public events calendar for the past two years, Xiangzhou plans a pair of open-air music festivals in 2017 during the May Day holiday and the National Day holiday. It will also hold some gourmet and beer festivals around food streets.

Combined with various dancing and singing performances, tourism activities themed on leisure, history, and culture will take place around New Yuanming Palace, Agricultural Paradise and Meixi Royal Stone Archways.

Lectures on social sciences, symposiums about the district's culture and history, and charity-aimed events will also be held. Academic exchanges will take place at the literature academy newly established in memory of Su Manshu (1884-1918), a famous poet, translator, and painter with family roots in Lixi Village of Qianshan.