Southern culture runs deep in district’s veins

Retired resident Liang Jinsheng has seen how the neighborhood has evolved over the past decade.

The 63-year-old's ties to the area run deep as his family has lived here for over three centuries. Less than a kilometer from Enning Road is the Leung (an alternate spelling of Liang) Ancestral Hall, a shrine that reflects the family's enduring connection to the land.

"The arcaded buildings on Enning Road are quintessentially Xiguan," he says. "Shops fill the ground floors and the covered walkways provide shelter from the rain and shade from the sun, a practical elegance that defines the area."

For Liang, the restoration has brought a sense of pride. He speaks of relatives and friends from abroad who now make a pilgrimage to the neighborhood. "They come to see the arcades, explore the Xiguan mansions and search for a connection to their roots," he says.

But Liang also remembers when the small river running through the area was more an eyesore than an attraction — a murky, foul-smelling ditch. Now, after being cleaned up, the river banks are a place of calm where he and his wife stroll daily, often with their young grandsons who are 3 and 5.

"It used to be chaos along the river — tangled wires, pipes everywhere," he says. "Now, it's been tidied up. Neighbors gather to soak up the sun, go for walks and enjoy the space."

The changes have resulted in more than just local appreciation. Visitors now flock to Enning Road, particularly to see the "Moon Bridge". The semicircular arch, lit up at night, casts a glowing reflection on the water, creating the illusion of a suspended crescent moon. The bridge has become a magnet for photographers and tourists, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"In recent years, tens of thousands of people have come during the festival to photograph the bridge," Liang says.