Riverfront renewal boosts consumption in Nanming old town

Nanming district in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, is revitalizing its old town by integrating river restoration efforts, cultural heritage, and commercial development along the Nanming River.

A series of renewal projects has transformed riverside areas, former industrial sites, and historic streets into new destinations for leisure, tourism, and consumption.

At Binheli, 21 container shops along the river offer craft beer, coffee, and local snacks, turning the waterfront into a popular leisure and nighttime destination.

Nearby, a former knitting factory on Qingyun Road has been transformed into a cultural creative block featuring more than 160 original brands and intangible cultural heritage shops. Caozhuangyuan Street has also converted traditional courtyards into cultural experience spaces.

Such efforts are driving foot traffic and sales. During the May Day holiday, sales in the Gancheng River area rose 46.3 percent year-on-year. Qingyun Road has received more than 11 million visitors so far this year, while Caozhuangyuan Street recorded 5.86 million yuan ($874,630) in sales during the holiday week, up 22.9 percent year-on-year.

By linking ecological spaces, historic waterways, cultural sites, and commercial districts, Nanming is giving Guiyang's old town fresh vitality while preserving its urban heritage.