The transformation of an old neighborhood into a new landmark is underway, with the "LOOK·Changcheng" commercial district breathing fresh life into the ancient city through new business formats. Late into the night on July 15th, the hustle and bustle of West Street in Luzhou District had quieted down. Stepping into the "LOOK·Changcheng" commercial district, a shared gym remained brightly lit. The merchant's online platform showed 38 people actively working out during that time slot. Not far away, at popular photo spots and trendy art installations, young people could still be seen taking pictures with their phones, with laughter echoing amidst the interplay of light and shadow.
"In the past, businesses in this area would start closing up and locking their doors around 9 p.m. Now, with many new types of businesses, there's a youthful energy," said Cheng Xinfan, who had just finished his workout. "After work, I can exercise here until midnight, grab a late-night snack, and hang out with friends."
The predecessor of the "LOOK·Changcheng" commercial district was the Changcheng Hotel, a place held in the memories of many Changzhi residents. Constructed in 1985, this hotel was once one of the few large-scale accommodations in the old city, witnessing countless travelers from all directions. However, as times changed, the traditional hotel business model gradually declined, and this land in a bustling location fell silent for a period.
The change began with the city's renewal efforts. Last year, the "LOOK·Changcheng" civil-military integration complex project officially commenced construction. The 12,000 square meters of land from the original Changcheng Hotel were reintegrated and upgraded to create a dual-district concept of "fashion + art," incorporating creative thematic spaces such as a fashion art hotel, business offices, and a 24-hour trendy street zone. The former hotel's walls were demolished, replaced by an open, trendy street district.
"The 24-hour trendy street zone in the park has already formed multiple popular photo spots, effectively attracting young consumer groups and continuously gathering visitor traffic," introduced Chen Kai, property manager of the "LOOK·Changcheng" commercial district. Currently, over 30 merchants have settled in the district.
The shift from "Changcheng Hotel" to "LOOK·Changcheng" represents not just a name change, but a reconstruction of urban space. A few hundred meters east of the "LOOK·Changcheng" commercial district lies the Lu'an Prefecture City God Temple, a nationally protected key cultural heritage site. Further north stands the imposing Shangdang Gate. The "LOOK·Changcheng" commercial district, centered around the City God Temple business area, is building a distinctive commercial ecosystem that blends Changzhi's culture with modern consumption.
In this fusion of the "new" and the "old," the cultural lineage of Changzhi's ancient city and the commercial vitality of the trendy district are being connected. The introduction of new business formats has brought long-absent liveliness to the old city area. Conversely, the most stable source of customer traffic for the "LOOK·Changcheng" commercial district comes precisely from the surrounding traditional cultural sites.
Song Xiaodan, a tourist from Hebei visiting Changzhi, said, "After having a creative meal here, I strolled over to the City God Temple. It suddenly felt like seven hundred years of history was just a few steps away."
"The hotel has been open for six months. Relying on the popularity of the social media photo spots, the occupancy rate for out-of-town tourists has remained consistently stable," said Zhao Pingping, the person in charge of the Jinlu Ruipeng Hotel, which is located in the "LOOK·Changcheng" commercial district. "Staying here is very convenient for getting around. Guests can walk to visit Shangdang Gate and the Lu'an Prefecture City God Temple, experiencing the ancient charm of the old city."
The completion of the "LOOK·Changcheng" commercial district has brought not only a diverse range of consumer businesses but also tangible benefits for local residents. Li Xin, Party Secretary of Zhengxi Community in Xijie Subdistrict, Luzhou District, explained, "The project's completion has directly created a large number of stable job opportunities. Residents can now work nearby, increasing their income close to home. This stimulates consumption in the area and promotes the quality enhancement and upgrading of the Shangdang Gate precinct."
Residents' feelings mirror this positive change. Zhang Maning, a resident of Xijie Subdistrict, remarked, "Now we have popular attractions right at our doorstep. The old city space has been revitalized, and it's getting livelier and livelier."
From a new landmark in the old city to new benefits for the community, "LOOK·Changcheng" has activated an entire district, reigniting the vibrant atmosphere of the historic city and exuding a vitality that belongs to this era.
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