Renovation work on Qianmen Street, south of Tian'anmen Square in
the heart of Beijing, started on Wednesday.
"Preserving the historic appearance and improving the living
conditions of residents is the main purpose of the renovation
project," said Niu Qingshan, head of Chongwen District.
"The electricity, gas and water supply network will be
upgraded," he said.
"Refurbishment of the time-honored shops on both sides of the
thoroughfare will be finished before the end of this year," said
Niu.
After completion of the project, the street will be laid with
green and white marble and ancient archways and an opera theater
will be restored. Trams will also reappear on the street.
The street is to become the second pedestrian thoroughfare in
the Chinese national capital. The first one is Wangfujing Street, a
downtown shopping district.
Qianmen Street prospered as a commercial strip as early as the
Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368). By the time of Emperor Jiajing, the 12th
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) emperor, the street was dotted with guild
halls built by different localities to provide housing to citizens
taking imperial exams.
Qianmen Street became even more prosperous in the early years of
the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) with the development of theaters and
teahouses.
The massive redevelopment of Qianmen Street is part of Beijing's
efforts to refurbish old city areas ahead of the 2008 Olympic
Games.
(Xinhua News Agency May 10, 2007)
?