Related stories

One Night in Beijing, Luxury in China Santa's Saga:10 Years of Being Jolly in Beijing Shanghai Dining Experience in the Heart of Beijing Implementation Measures of the "Rules of the People's Republic of China on Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights" House of on Pedder in Beijing

Slice of Old Beijing Preserved in Modernization Project

Despite centuries-old crowded and shabby residences being totally removed, the Qianmen area, one of the last remnants of old Beijing, will retain its unique cultural flavor after upcoming urban renovation.

China Daily quoted the Beijing Municipal Development Planning Commission as saying that the renovation, expected to start later this year, will make it a priority to maintain the area's well-known cultural heritage of quadrangles, lanes and the ancient retail center of Dazhalan.

In the 1.45sq.k target area, all construction in the designated "protection zone of historical and cultural heritage" will be refurbished, taking its original form of quadrangles along lanes, thus providing 20,000 urbanites living there an improved living environment with convenient utilities and other facilities. Final designs for the renovation will be available before the end of this month.