luis alfredo, a mexican international student from china university of petroleum (east china), was drawn to a vibrant community canteen nestled in the lively chongqing minzhu village, a place renowned as the ‘top chinese buffet’.
in the bustling community canteen, the expansive 500-square-metre hall buzzes with life, filled to the brim with eager patrons. here, for 18 yuan, you can choose from 20 dishes. and all of this is just a small aspect of the changes in minzhu village.
in a time long past, there lay minzhu village, a place marked by its crumbling structures and weary amenities. after a series of well-designed renovation, minzhu village blossomed into a lively and modern community.
the miraculous transformation didn’t take place overnight. the relevant departments of the minzhu village have had in-depth communication with more than 400 residents to ensure that the renovation plan truly meets public needs. with community hospital being updated, the craftsman workshop preserved and the once-narrow staircase widened, every alteration resonated with the needs of the community.
its transformation is a microcosm of the democratic practices in many communities across china. if you're also interested in minzhu village, why not take a stroll and experience its unique charm for yourself?