Historic block in SW China's Yunnan finds new life through coffee culture and business

A drone photo shows people visiting the Xunjin Block in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 18, 2026. During the summer vacation, Xunjin Block has become a new hot spot for people to spend their leisure time. Located in Kunming's Xishan District, the block, once a historic site, has taken on a new look by introducing coffee and other catering and cultural businesses.

The coffee industry now serves as a new link between history and modern life. Today, over 50 characteristic shops operate in the block, generating annual revenue of about 20 million yuan (about 2.97 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

A barista makes a cup of coffee at the Xunjin Block in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 17, 2026. During the summer vacation, Xunjin Block has become a new hot spot for people to spend their leisure time. Located in Kunming's Xishan District, the block, once a historic site, has taken on a new look by introducing coffee and other catering and cultural businesses.

The coffee industry now serves as a new link between history and modern life. Today, over 50 characteristic shops operate in the block, generating annual revenue of about 20 million yuan (about 2.97 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

People pose for a photo at the Xunjin Block in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 18, 2026. During the summer vacation, Xunjin Block has become a new hot spot for people to spend their leisure time. Located in Kunming's Xishan District, the block, once a historic site, has taken on a new look by introducing coffee and other catering and cultural businesses.

The coffee industry now serves as a new link between history and modern life. Today, over 50 characteristic shops operate in the block, generating annual revenue of about 20 million yuan (about 2.97 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

People enjoy their time at the Xunjin Block in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 17, 2026. During the summer vacation, Xunjin Block has become a new hot spot for people to spend their leisure time. Located in Kunming's Xishan District, the block, once a historic site, has taken on a new look by introducing coffee and other catering and cultural businesses.

The coffee industry now serves as a new link between history and modern life. Today, over 50 characteristic shops operate in the block, generating annual revenue of about 20 million yuan (about 2.97 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

An ancient yard is transformed into a city lounge for Yunnan's coffee culture at the Xunjin Block in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 17, 2026. During the summer vacation, Xunjin Block has become a new hot spot for people to spend their leisure time. Located in Kunming's Xishan District, the block, once a historic site, has taken on a new look by introducing coffee and other catering and cultural businesses.

The coffee industry now serves as a new link between history and modern life. Today, over 50 characteristic shops operate in the block, generating annual revenue of about 20 million yuan (about 2.97 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

A staff member makes coffee soaps at an ancient yard of the Xunjin Block in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 17, 2026. During the summer vacation, Xunjin Block has become a new hot spot for people to spend their leisure time. Located in Kunming's Xishan District, the block, once a historic site, has taken on a new look by introducing coffee and other catering and cultural businesses.

The coffee industry now serves as a new link between history and modern life. Today, over 50 characteristic shops operate in the block, generating annual revenue of about 20 million yuan (about 2.97 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

A barista makes a cup of coffee at the Xunjin Block in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 17, 2026. During the summer vacation, Xunjin Block has become a new hot spot for people to spend their leisure time. Located in Kunming's Xishan District, the block, once a historic site, has taken on a new look by introducing coffee and other catering and cultural businesses.

The coffee industry now serves as a new link between history and modern life. Today, over 50 characteristic shops operate in the block, generating annual revenue of about 20 million yuan (about 2.97 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

People experience making coffee at an ancient yard of the Xunjin Block in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 17, 2026. During the summer vacation, Xunjin Block has become a new hot spot for people to spend their leisure time. Located in Kunming's Xishan District, the block, once a historic site, has taken on a new look by introducing coffee and other catering and cultural businesses.

The coffee industry now serves as a new link between history and modern life. Today, over 50 characteristic shops operate in the block, generating annual revenue of about 20 million yuan (about 2.97 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

A woman poses for a photo at the Xunjin Block in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 18, 2026. During the summer vacation, Xunjin Block has become a new hot spot for people to spend their leisure time. Located in Kunming's Xishan District, the block, once a historic site, has taken on a new look by introducing coffee and other catering and cultural businesses.

The coffee industry now serves as a new link between history and modern life. Today, over 50 characteristic shops operate in the block, generating annual revenue of about 20 million yuan (about 2.97 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

A woman smells the scent of coffee at an ancient yard of the Xunjin Block in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 17, 2026. During the summer vacation, Xunjin Block has become a new hot spot for people to spend their leisure time. Located in Kunming's Xishan District, the block, once a historic site, has taken on a new look by introducing coffee and other catering and cultural businesses.

The coffee industry now serves as a new link between history and modern life. Today, over 50 characteristic shops operate in the block, generating annual revenue of about 20 million yuan (about 2.97 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

A barista shows a cup of coffee at an ancient yard of the Xunjin Block in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 17, 2026. During the summer vacation, Xunjin Block has become a new hot spot for people to spend their leisure time. Located in Kunming's Xishan District, the block, once a historic site, has taken on a new look by introducing coffee and other catering and cultural businesses.

The coffee industry now serves as a new link between history and modern life. Today, over 50 characteristic shops operate in the block, generating annual revenue of about 20 million yuan (about 2.97 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Hu Chao)