Minzhu Village Community was a run-down neighborhood in Chongqing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Adorned with remodeled residential buildings, modern pocket parks, vintage Soviet-style red brick buildings and quaint cafes and restaurants, a once run-down neighborhood in Chongqing has become a hot destination for visitors.

Located in Chongqing's Jiulongpo district, Minzhu Village Community was built between the 1950s and 1990s as a residential area for the former State-owned Construction Machine Tool Factory. But after the relocation of the factory, the living conditions deteriorated as a result of poor management.

Minzhu Village Community, a once run-down neighborhood in Chongqing, has become a charming and livable community with a clean environment, improved public facilities and strong cultural characteristics. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In early 2022, the local government launched an urban renewal project to preserve the historical imprint of the community while improving living and business conditions.

Now the village has become a charming and livable place with a clean environment, improved public facilities and strong cultural characteristics. It is a typical example of a new model of community governance with public participation.

Minzhu Village Community, a once run-down neighborhood in Chongqing, has become a charming and livable community with a clean environment, improved public facilities and strong cultural characteristics. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I have been living here for about 60 years," said Chen Dairong, 76, a retired worker who was employed at the Construction Machine Tool Factory."

Our residents have actively taken part in the renewal project and the daily management of our community. I am so happy to see our home become such a beautiful place."

Minzhu Village Community, a once run-down neighborhood in Chongqing, has become a charming and livable community with a clean environment, improved public facilities and strong cultural characteristics. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Minzhu Village Community was a run-down neighborhood in Chongqing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Minzhu Village Community, a once run-down neighborhood in Chongqing, has become a charming and livable community with a clean environment, improved public facilities and strong cultural characteristics. [Photo by Tan Yingzi/chinadaily.com.cn]

Minzhu Village Community, a once run-down neighborhood in Chongqing, has become a charming and livable community with a clean environment, improved public facilities and strong cultural characteristics. [Photo by Tan Yingzi/chinadaily.com.cn]

Minzhu Village Community, a once run-down neighborhood in Chongqing, has become a charming and livable community with a clean environment, improved public facilities and strong cultural characteristics. [Photo by Tan Yingzi/chinadaily.com.cn]