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Beijing reopens historic Qianmen shopping street

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-07 22:31

BEIJING - The Olympic host city on Thursday reopened one of its oldest commercial areas as the latest cultural and tourist attraction, one day prior to the start of the Games.

Visitors crowd in front of the stage set for the opening ceremony of the historical Qianmen Street, August 7, 2008. Qianmen Street reopens to the public Thursday after almost a year's renovation. [CRI]

After a massive refurbishment lasting more than one year, the 840-meter-long Qianmen Street in the heart of the city was opened to visitors. A dozen local brands which originated from Qianmen in the past century, such as the Quanjude roasted duck restaurant and the Zhangyiyuan tea house, were reopened to business the same day.

Related readings:  Qianmen Streets gets facelift  Beijing to reopen historic Qianmen street  Qianmen Street lit up ahead of reopening  Qianmen Street: Yesterday once more

Wang Wenqi, 74, a Beijing local in his wheelchair, came to the street at 7:30 a.m.. The experience helped him revive his memories of the past when he always bought traditional cloth shoes in Neiliansheng store and tea in the Zhangyiyuan teashop.

"I was born in a hutong and often visited the street when I was young. It looks magnificent after renovation," he said.

The government started renovating the street in May last year with the goal of restoring it to its former glory a century ago during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Zhang Zhenyuan, who once followed his father through Beijing's alleyways selling and fixing wooden barrels, gave his rendition of the old town cries in the street on Thursday morning, attracting crowds of visitors and reporters.

The 72 year old, wearing traditional Qing Dynasty dress, customized his look by putting China's national flag and another from the Beijing 2008 Olympics on his head to show his passion.

"The street has been kept almost the same as before with new things added. The street lamps in the shape of a bird cage and bronze drum are all full of Beijing characteristics," he said.

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