Presidency of People Republic of China : Premier’s visit promotes innovative culture in Chengdu’s ancient street

Kuanzhai Ancient Street, a traditional cultural hot spot located in downtown Chengdu, Sichuan province, is taking on a new look after Premier Li Keqiang's visit in April 2016.

Premier Li visited the Jianshan Bookstore in the alley, and bought a book and two postcards, which have become the best-selling items in the bookstore.

Liao Yun, founder of the bookstore, praised the Premier for his care of local culture and encouragement for increasing innovation.

'I remember that Premier Li said the black-and-white postcard represents the past, while the colorful one represents the future. He also encouraged us to focus more on cultural innovation and creativity'.

Premier Li Keqiang visits Kuanzhai Ancient Street in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on April 25, 2016.

Over the past six months, her bookstores have launched 'literature and art collection of Chengdu', and a series of cultural products featuring famous local historic collections along with Chengdu Museum.

The courtyard, where the bookstore is located, is one of the 45 core yards in the Kuanzhai Ancient Street. The alley has become the 'name card' of Chengdu, with more than 150 entered enterprises, including more than 30 cultural innovative ones. Every year, more than 3,000 jobs were created here, and the consumption reached 300 million yuan. Last year, the alley attracted 17 million tourists.

Not far from Jianshan Bookstore is a cafe named Lonely Ding's Coffee, which also became well-known after Premier Li's visit.

Ding Zhi, the owner of the coffee shop, originally came to Chengdu to join the rescue work during the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008.

Later, he settled down here and opened the coffee shop. And according to Ding, he met the Premier three times, once in his shop in April last year and twice at the rescue scene during Lushan and Ludian earthquakes, in 2013 and 2014 respectively.