In recent years, Tongzhou district in Nantong, Jiangsu province, has been working to restore Yuxi Ancient Town, breathing new life into this thousand-year-old settlement.

Located in Erjia town, Yuxi Ancient Town boasts a documented history of over a millennium. Known as the "Dragon City" due to its dragon-like terrain, Yuxi Ancient Town boasts a deep cultural heritage and abundant material cultural relics, representing a traditional settlement with regional distinctiveness in Tongzhou.

Covering an area of over 16,000 square meters, Yuxi Ancient Town features nearly 60 historical buildings. At the end of last year, local authorities launched restoration work on the ancient town, adhering to the principle of preserving its original appearance to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the site.

So far, the town has completed street system renovations, restored the traditional dragon-scale pavement of Longjie Street, and upgraded 580 meters of sewage pipes, 808 meters of stormwater pipes, and other municipal infrastructure. Additionally, alley facade repairs and the construction of Cangxi Square have been accomplished.

Erjia Town plans to carry out a number of protective construction projects in the ancient town every year. By 2027, the goal is to transform Yuxi into a culturally vibrant ancient town and attract more young people.

An aerial view of Yuxi Ancient Town. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]