Rich marine culture, coastal defense history, unique island culture, ancient stone houses, and cobbled streets...It all started at the heart of a once-bustling town square- Pingtan Old Street.

Now, the glory of the yesteryears is long gone. But, when it comes to the tales of this old stretch of road, many still harbor the sentiment of "yesterday once more."

A Chat about Old Streets, a memoir and compilation chronicling the past to modern-day transformation of this historical memory lane was officially published. Archives of Pingtan's splendid marine culture, old streets, and alleys make it an emotional rollercoaster and indulging read for sentimental locals.

Flipping through the first twenty pages, a chapter on the “Alley of Time” prefaces a vivid illustration of Pingtan's familiar street scenes and crumbling cobbled pathways. The South Lane at Qilou Quarter, the former residence of Zhan Gongxian（a distinguished marine general defended Pingtan in Qing dynasty） at the Wufu Temple, and Zhongzheng Hall (the place where the island first gained liberation) are among some historical landmarks featured in the publication. An old urban business district, inextricably interwoven with the lives of a past generation has come to life!

Written by four local authors in Pingtan: Wu Jintai, Zhan Lixin, Lai Min, and Yu Xiaoyan, the book is divided into eight chapters: Overview of Old Streets, Natural Environment, History, People, Relics, Spirit & Culture, Customs & Belief, Future & Plans. In the appendix, readers will find a territory map of Pingtan during the Qing Dynasty, sketches of streets, and other archive collections.

A Chat about Old Streets is like a glass of intoxicating aged wine. A bittersweet aftertaste lingers on after a sip. Now, strolling down memory lane, the hustle and bustles of yesteryears have been on the other pages. What's left are crumbling walls covered in vines, mottled buildings, and a lingering memory of the good old days.

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