Photo by Benoit Vermander At the exit, a glimpse on the remaining beauty of Chengdu… 2006  

Photo by Benoit Vermander  The gate at the end of Kuanxiangzi. 2006        ...

Photo by Benoit Vermander  Repair and construction work were booming in the whole area of old Chengdu. 2006    

Photo by Benoit Vermander This house is still to be demolished. 2006  

Photo by Benoit Vermander  The new “cultural alley” will be soon a reality. 2006      

Photo by Benoit Vermander  Material for the new buildings was arriving. 2006      

Photo by Benoit Vermander (2006) Most workers come from the rural areas of Sichuan, sometimes only for a few weeks, sometimes establishing themselves permanently while lacking a residence permit.  ...

Photo by Benoit Vermander An armchair left in a courtyard. Almost all houses were emptied of people and  belongings already. 2006    

Photo by Benoit Vermander  The demolition business was going briskly. 2006      

Photo by Benoit Vermander Women are everywhere to be seen on China’s construction sites. 2006      

Photo by Benoit Vermander Notice the little stall behind the worker… 2006      

Photo by Benoit Vermander  I took these photographs on a Sunday. Obviously, this was not a day of rest. 2006    

Photo by Benoit Vermander A man from the neighborhood. 2006     

Photo by Benoit Vermander  Many young photographers from Chengdu were around the area of Kuanxiangzi these days. 2006      ...

Photo by Benoit Vermander Old inhabitants of Kuanxiangzi. 2006       ...

Photo by Benoit Vermander  Before entering Kuanxiangzi. 2006        ...

by Benoit Vermander  Kuanxiangzi (the Wide Lane) used to be a populous old street of Chengdu, one in which alternative coffees and shops had progressively settled, while people continued to occupy ...