If you’re looking for evidence of Rong'an as a historic town, only the arcade street in Hexi, the county seat, remains. The street isn’t very wide,...

　　If you’re looking for evidence of Rong'an as a historic town, only the arcade street in Hexi, the county seat, remains. The street isn’t very wide—just two or three zhang across—but the buildings on both sides are uniquely distinctive. All are constructed of brick and wood, and upon close inspection of their weathered walls, you’ll find buildings in various architectural styles—Gothic, French, and Ancient Greek—arranged in neat lines or gentle curves. Due to the passage of time, some window sills are even overgrown with lush centipede grass and maidenhair ferns, as if flaunting the ancient town’s storied past. Judging from the relief patterns on the exterior walls, the decorative colors back then must have been quite elegant and splendid. In those days, the “Big Four” of the local “Wall Street”—Guanglong, Xingjilong, Yusheng, and Jiancheng—along with the “Four Dragons” such as Zhumaolong, and countless other shops and merchants crowded the area, making it extraordinarily bustling.

　　The ancient arcade street in Chang'an Town is currently one of the largest and best-preserved arcade streets in Guangxi. Strolling along the market street, the 1.5-kilometer-long arcade street is still well presented to visitors. The elaborately carved and painted arcades, having endured a century of history, seem to recount the tales of the old town’s past. The clear Rong River flows from northwest to southeast through the town, its serene waves like a mirror, creating picturesque scenery. Like a spring river, it carries the ancient town into a new era of glory.

　　The arcade corridors provide shelter from wind, rain, and sun. During Spring Festival or traditional lunar festivals, families hang flower lanterns on the arcades. At night, the colorful lights shine brilliantly, presenting a dazzling and beautiful sight. I remember during the year of Hong Kong’s handover, residents hung festive lanterns under the arcades to celebrate the joyous occasion. Some lanterns even featured silkscreen portraits waving, adding a touch of modern character to the otherwise classic charm.

　　Singing folk songs and performing traditional operas under the arcades has also become a charming highlight of the county town.

　　The arcade street of Rong'an Ancient Town always exudes an old-world, nostalgic cultural atmosphere.