Village people

The beams are still solid and were taken down carefully to restore before being reinstated, while the gray roof tiles are all original.

"They help the building to give off vintage charm in a modern setting," Xu says.

However, due to the passage of time and a lack of maintenance, the wooden framework had deteriorated, undermining the structural integrity of the warehouses. They have now been replaced with steel, Xu says.

Covering an area of more than 18,000 square meters, the granary site has evolved into a model of common prosperity.

Residents from neighboring villages have become frequent visitors to the site since it opened to the public in November last year.

"They have enjoyed coming here to read books and paint," Xu says.