A lesser-known attraction in Kaifeng, where two emperors of the Song Dynasty are said to have lived!

Kaifeng, Shuanglong Lane, where the two emperors of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi, are said to have lived. This legend has been passed down from generation to generation, and has been recorded in history. Many historical figures have also lived in the lane. In the early years of the Republic of China, two presidents lived here. The first president of the Republic of China was Yuan Shikai. During the Tongzhi period, Yuan Shikai's stepfather, Yuan Baoqing, worked in the camp of Mao Changxi, the minister of the Henan regiment, and Yuan Shikai lived with Yuan Baoqing in Kaifeng City, in Shuanglong Lane. Another president also lived in Shuanglong Lane. This person was Xu Shichang. Even more incredible is that the lane was home to Zhang Fang, a veteran of the Xinhai Revolution and acting chairman of Henan Province, who served as the commander of the 12th Army Corps during the War of Resistance Against Japan. Luo Zhanglong, an older generation of proletarian revolutionaries and one of the early leaders of the Communist Party of China, and Du Mengmo, a famous mathematician and educator who was engaged in underground work for the Party for a long time and later became the vice governor of Henan Province. Modern Chinese politician Kong Xiangrong, a 75th-generation descendant of Confucius, and Yang Tingbi, a top scholar of the Qing Dynasty who served as the Marquis of Kaoshan in Yili, Xinjiang, lived in Shuanglong Lane in his later years. Today, Shuanglong Lane has been transformed into a historical and cultural district. Perhaps because of the winter, the street is bleak, with many buildings closed and almost no tourists. In stark contrast to Shuanglong Lane, the street to the east and north of the lane is full of stalls, all of which are local people buying and selling, with a lively atmosphere. Looking back at the deserted Shuanglong Lane, one can't help but think that an ancient street full of historical charm should be more lively, but because the old residents of the lane have moved away, the old shops are gone, and the old brands are gone, the street has lost its former popularity. When chatting with a resident here, the resident said that if the market at the east end could be moved here, perhaps this ancient lane would become lively. There is no need to engage in high-end tourism projects here, after all, this is just a corner of Kaifeng, not as good as Qingming Shanghe, Wansui Mountain, or Longting Park. As long as people move here, the place will come alive. This ordinary person's words seem to deserve some thought.