A creative market in Qingdao Western Old Town attracts enthusiastic visitors. [Photo/WeChat account: qdweishinan]

These days both locals and tourists can't seem to get enough of the Qingdao Western Old Town – located in the Shinan district of Qingdao city in East China's Shandong province – which is undergoing  a renewal.

The integrated development of its culture and tourism has reportedly helped transform the old town experience into something far more upbeat and there is now a real buzz there.

In the wake of the renovation work in the historic city, the reconstruction and upgrading of the Qingdao Western Old Town is widely seen as having injected vigor and prosperity into Shinan district.

A widening and renovation project for Jinan Road in the Zhongshan Road business area in the district was completed and opened to the public in early April.

Old town enters new era

The century-old historical and cultural heritage was successfully combined with the new era, to really lift the atmosphere of the precinct. Nowadays, Zongshan Road has a rich blend of time-honored enterprises, cinemas, bookshops, museums and cafes. More and more people are now reportedly getting the feeling that the old town is coming alive.

Creative markets create new vibe

In addition, creative markets were launched in three scenic spots – the Badaguan Scenic Area, the Olympic Sailing Center and the Qingdao Western Old Town – during the recent May Day holiday in  the Shinan district.

They catered to the increased volumes of visitors and helped promote the city's local culture and tourism.

New sense of drive, purpose

The new round of old city renewal has fully taken into account the need to expand industry, urban functions, the economical utilization of land, the multiple use of public squares, among other things. It has respected the existing culture of the area while engaging in scientific planning.

Under the urban guidelines, there has been an important fusion of protection and development, observing the relationship between the traditional and modern. As a result, new opportunities have been created to expand retail sales and develop a bigger and stronger business ecosystem, helping the old city's enterprises to expand to the high-end of the industrial chain.