"Locals flooded the post with comments like, 'This was my childhood, but I barely recognize it now'," said Zang.

"When I was in school, I took many pictures around this area. At that time, Wanshou Palace was simply a market surrounded by dilapidated shantytowns where people came to buy inexpensive clothes," he said. "Now, it's totally different."

The old area is located within the main commercial district of Nanchang. It includes various historic thoroughfares and alleys such as Zhubao and Daizi streets near the Guangrunmen Street precinct.

Renovation of the area began in 2013. It took eight years to complete the Wanshou Palace Historical and Cultural Block construction and restoration projects.

"This reconstruction has been extremely successful, transforming the dilapidated old street area in the city center into a vibrant new attraction, which has become a signature destination for tourism in Nanchang," Zang said.