The Overseas Trading Mall sign dominated the skyline of Dengfeng village, in 2014.
Little Africa before beautification —
The Overseas Trading Mall sign dominated the skyline of Dengfeng village, in 2014.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
Dengfeng was a melting pot for African migrants, as well as internal migrants from across China, doing business in Guangzhou.
Little Africa before beautification —
Dengfeng was a melting pot for African migrants, as well as internal migrants from across China, doing business in Guangzhou.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
Restaurants and bars sprung up in the Little Africa area, catering to the tastes of the migrant community.
Little Africa before beautification —
Restaurants and bars sprung up in the Little Africa area, catering to the tastes of the migrant community.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
A group of female traders peruse the Little Africa area, looking for wholesale goods to ship back to and sell in their native country.
Little Africa before beautification —
A group of female traders peruse the Little Africa area, looking for wholesale goods to ship back to and sell in their native country.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
Youssou Ousagna, from Senegal, poses on a bridge that leads to Dengfeng village. A Chinese photographer set up a business here taking portraits of African migrants.
Little Africa before beautification —
Youssou Ousagna, from Senegal, poses on a bridge that leads to Dengfeng village. A Chinese photographer set up a business here taking portraits of African migrants.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
Ladies shop by the bin bag, balancing their purchases on their heads.
Little Africa before beautification —
Ladies shop by the bin bag, balancing their purchases on their heads.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
After slaughtering this lamb on street, the Uygur restaurateurs from north-west China hang the meat ready to cook for customers.
Little Africa before beautification —
After slaughtering this lamb on street, the Uygur restaurateurs from north-west China hang the meat ready to cook for customers.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
Street markets selling low-end goods were commonplace.
Little Africa before beautification —
Street markets selling low-end goods were commonplace.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
A couple from Xinjiang in north-west China sell fresh fruit in Little Africa. The Dengfeng urban village was home to migrants from across China, as well as Africa.
Little Africa before beautification —
A couple from Xinjiang in north-west China sell fresh fruit in Little Africa. The Dengfeng urban village was home to migrants from across China, as well as Africa.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
The Yingfu Trade Plaza is home to scores of garment Chinese-run shops, servicing African demand for wholesale goods.
Little Africa before beautification —
The Yingfu Trade Plaza is home to scores of garment Chinese-run shops, servicing African demand for wholesale goods.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
Women in the Guanyuan Xi Lu area of Little Africa. This area is the Nigerian annex.
Little Africa before beautification —
Women in the Guanyuan Xi Lu area of Little Africa. This area is the Nigerian annex.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
This Turkish restaurant serves halal food catering to African Muslim merchants, as well as Uygurs from China's north-west frontier provinces.
Little Africa before beautification —
This Turkish restaurant serves halal food catering to African Muslim merchants, as well as Uygurs from China's north-west frontier provinces.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
The police in Dengfeng perhaps weren't so attentive in 2014.
Little Africa before beautification —
The police in Dengfeng perhaps weren't so attentive in 2014.
Jenni Marsh/CNN
The entrance to Dengfeng, in Little Africa, in 2014.
Little Africa before beautification —
The entrance to Dengfeng, in Little Africa, in 2014.
Jenni Marsh/CNN