A street often carries memories of a city.

Looking through Kunming's history, you will find that it not only exudes the distinctive glory of a famous tourist city, but also the efforts made for the development of industry and commerce in modern history. If you calculate carefully, the rise of modern industry in Kunming should be the earliest batch in China.

In 1884, the Qing government established the Yunnan Machinery Bureau, which became the beginning of modern industry in Kunming. After the Sino-French War in 1885, French, British and other imperialists quickly invaded Yunnan. Later, government-run enterprises such as mints, tanneries, telegraph offices, and post offices also emerged. In 1905, Kunming was officially turned into a commercial port.

During the Anti-Japanese War, Kunming, as a famous "fortress of democracy", became one of the important towns supporting the Anti-Japanese War. Factories and schools from other places moved inward, and bureaucratic capital set up and opened factories and enterprises in Kunming, promoting Kunming's short-term economic prosperity.

Nanping Street was formed against this background.

In the 1930s, in order to demolish the city wall and fill the moat, a street was built that started from Guomen in the east and connected Lizheng in the west. At that time, the anti-Japanese war craze was sweeping the country, so it was named "Nanping Street", which means the barrier of the south.

Nanping Street at that time was extremely prosperous.

On the street are Kunming's largest bank, tallest building, the most beautiful movie theater, and many fashionable bars and dance halls. If you include Huguo Road and Jinbi Road, there are 48 financial institutions, known as the "Eastern Wall Street".

At this time, Nanping Street was Kunming's financial, commercial and entertainment center. There is a Nanping Cinema here, which was funded and built by upper-class women. It is known as the "Lady Group" Cinema. It is the earliest modern cinema in Southwest China. Young people at that time regarded coming here to watch a movie as something to flatter their faces.

Times have changed. Although today's Nanping Street has lost its old financial functions, it is still prosperous and noisy.

Take Metro Line 3 and get off at Wuyi Road Station. Not far east is this old street. It was evening when I went, the sky had gradually dimmed, and there were many handsome men and women on the streets. Young people who had been busy all day were dating and shopping here, and Kunming's nightlife began.

Nanping Street is not long, and you can see the end at a glance. However, its width of tens of meters makes it very atmospheric. There are some representative buildings from the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China on both sides of the road, and the old Xinhua Bookstore still occupies the most conspicuous position. It is said that before the 1980s, both sides of the road were covered with green shade French sycamore trees, but now they have disappeared.

Looking around, I found that there were photographers taking photos on the street. Beautiful women must often appear here, and its status is equivalent to the Jiefang Monument in Chongqing and Chunxi Road in Chengdu. Nearly a century of tradition and fashion blend here. Isn't this the best portrayal of life in Spring City?

It can be seen that Kunming wants to give this old street more functions. The 685-meter street displays the customs and customs of old Kunming to the greatest extent possible. The five groups of scene sculptures "Walking the Bird","Carrying Water","Taking Photos","Selling and Calling" and "Jumping Over the Sea" are arranged in order.

The word "sea jumping card" may sound strange to many people. It is a game often played by old Kunming people when they were children. Use chalk to draw some squares with a width of tens of centimeters on the ground, find a thin tile, and follow the agreed rules. Use your feet to kick the tile or iron box into the designated grid. If you leave the grid or miss the grid, you lose.

Then walk forward and you will see a landscape wall of "Eighteen Monsters of Yunnan", which uses wall carving to show Yunnan's unique customs. For example,"bamboo tubes are sold as pots to cook rice","clothes are worn together in all seasons","cars are faster than trains","it rains here and there", etc.

These interesting words let people inadvertently understand Yunnan. If I have to talk about shortcomings, it's just that the pattern cannot be seen clearly. It would be better if I could replace it with three-dimensional or painted painting.

It is very interesting to have eight carved chairs on the square. These chairs not only provide tourists with a rest, but also have a moral meaning. In ancient times, these well-made carved chairs were exclusive to the families of high-ranking officials and noble people, and ordinary people could only see them. Now they are placed in the square, implying the meaning of equality for all.

There is a Fushou archway at the back. The eaves are cumbersome and elegant. Although it is listed separately on the square, it is the most conspicuous sculpture. Many tourists will take photos here, and the two sons "Fu" and "Shou" on the archway are touched to shine brightly.

There are many gourmet shops on both sides of the street. I ate a bowl of "Jianxin Garden" bridge rice money near the old street. It is a century-old local brand in Kunming. There are many tourists who come to eat, mainly middle-aged and elderly people. They are regarded as relatively authentic old rice noodles.

There are also four giant pillars on the street, engraved with aphorisms and aphorisms from Yunnan sages. However, the calligraphy is elegant and it is a little difficult to read clearly. If you want to slow down and play on Nanping Street, there are many details here worth pondering carefully. For example, there is an old Kunming map embossed engraved on the ground. If you are not careful, you can easily miss it.

If you go to Kunming, you can take a look here and stroll through the noisy streets. It is as if you have traveled through Kunming's glorious history. Those representative customs and customs have been displayed most directly.

Address: Nanping Street, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, no tickets are charged.

Transportation: It is directly accessible to Wuyi Road Station on Metro Line 3.

Author: Lu, a traveler who loves life, please like it and pay attention