Old-fashioned granaries, mottled white walls, mossy green tiles...In Changshengqiao Town, Nan’an District, there is an“industrial landscape” – old granaries. There are more than 10 granaries here. It used to be a grain storage base with“warehouse area, staff only”, and porters went in and out here every day. With the advancement of grain storage technology, the old granaries gradually withdrew from the stage of history, and some granaries were rented out as warehouses. Nowadays, the old granaries have become popular on the Internet, attracting netizens to visit.

In March, warm sun put a layer of light yellow“coat” on granaries. Walking into these granaries in Changshengqiao Old Street, Nan’an District, is like walking into a“Granary Museum”. Buildings of brick and wood structure are waiting for people to come again.

There are brick round granaries and house granaries. The house granaries boast continuous arched thin shell roof, and the brick round granaries have octagonal pyramidal roof. The architectural design and construction are scientific and reasonable, and the appearances are simple. They have typical granary shapes in the 1970s, showing a unique“industrial landscape”, which is a miniature of the national production and life at that time.

On the top of the granaries, the green tiles are covered with green plants, telling the feelings of the grain keepers.

Yan Xiang, 91 years old, had worked in the granaries for decades. He recalled that here were once the granaries in the five districts of Baxian County, there were 17 granaries at most, and he was very busy at work every day. Here are Yan Xiang’s memories of half a lifetime, even if he is old, he is reluctant to leave. Every afternoon, he would go to the granaries and relive the beautiful days.

Deng Shaoan, 92 years old, is an old porter of the granaries. He set up a handling team to take charge of handling for grain station every day. His wife Wang Shouzhen was responsible for helping him pack. In Deng Shaoan’s memory, the granaries had many things to deal with every day, and he often had to get up in the middle of the night to handle. Today, granaries have withdrawn from the stage of history, and people who used to work here are enjoying their old age.

People who have witnessed the prosperity of the granaries are old, and the granaries are also gradually forgotten. The graffiti on the door seems to tell the story of that time.

Most of the granaries here are empty and locked, and a few have been rented out as warehouses for other companies. Every day, workers still come to handle the goods stacked inside.

The elderly nearby especially like this place. Under the warm spring sunshine, they can often be seen sitting in groups, chatting and drinking tea. The granary behind them seems to have become a kind old man, listening to them tell their stories.

These granaries are empty and mysterious, and also a“paradise” for children’s exploration.

The old granaries under the mottled sunlight showed signs of time and attracted many young people to visit, and Yaxin was one of them. She made a special trip from Yubei to take pictures.

At present, the Changshengqiao Old Street Granaries are listed as the second batch of historical buildings of Chongqing Municipality. Although they have lost the function of storing grain, they will be full of new vitality. (Translated by Zhang Ying, Fathom Language Limited)

Editor:Jiang Yiwei