BEIJING, July 28 -- Despite the recent unprecedented heavy rainstorm which has caused huge personnel injuries and property losses in Hongjiang, Huaihua City, central China's Hunan Province, this ancient commercial city in the flood-hit area remains safe and intact.

    The rainstorm left almost no trace in this ancient commercial city, where groups of young people gather together to play cards, the seniors go around to neighbors chatting and fanning, and children monkey frolicly along the lanes. The leisure life in the city has not been affected.

    Soundbite: Zhou Guiying, resident in Hongjiang ancient commercial city "We live in the city as we've always done, visiting relatives and chatting with friends. Nothing has changed."

    Hongjiang ancient commercial city, which was built in Ming and Qing Dynasty, features the complex architectural structure of streets and lanes with a system of drainage.

    A main drain was built under each street and lane, linking the drainage pipes of the houses. When it rains, the rainfall flows from patios and eaves of houses to the main drains under streets via branch pipelines.

    Besides, a "copper coin-shaped funnel" is designed every few steps on the ground and gaps are left between the bluestones paved roads, channeling water out of the city.

    Soundbite: Liang Bin, head of Hongjiang culture office "The city survives in the heavy rainstorm, thanks to this drainage system established by our ancestors ."

    The ancient architectural complex preserved in Hongjiang is known as living portraits of the famous painting Riverside Scene at the Pure Moon Festival, which reflects urban life during the infant period of capitalism in Ming and Qing Dynasty.

    Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hongjiang. (XHTV)