Beijing's iconic Chang'an Ave to sport traditional elements

The pattern for manholes is taken from the stairs of temples in the Forbidden City. Photo provided to China Daily

Chang'an Avenue, a major and iconic thoroughfare in Beijing, is undergoing a face-lift that involves adding Chinese elements, Beijing Youth Daily reported on Monday.

Chang'an Avenue is an east to west 10-lane road where some of the most recognized landmarks, such as Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City and the leadership compound of Zhongnanhai, are located.

The main section of Chang'an Avenue starts from Gongzhufen to Guomao, within the 3rd Ring Road. The avenue, including its extension, runs for 55 km.

New infrastructure will include traditional Chinese elements such as lotuses and auspicious clouds, the Beijing Municipal Commission of City Administration and Environment said.

The lotus and auspicious clouds are among many patterns that Chinese use to invoke good luck and best wishes.

The upgrades include bus stations, manhole covers, pedestrian walks and building facades.

New bus stations will be beige and bronze, and made with stainless steel three times thicker than the old ones, and which can withstand the impact of a car traveling at 50 km/h.

An electronic station board will keep time and tell how many stops are left when a bus approaches.

According to Xu Congyi, an architect with the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design, the pattern on the manholes is taken from the stairs of the main temples in the Forbidden City.

The whole project will be completed this year, the commission said.

Yan Jianfeng, department chief of the city commission, said new designs for guardrails, station boards, bus stations and manhole covers have been approved.

Garbage bins and mailboxes will been replaced by new ones.

The overpasses at Dongdan will be upgraded to echo the style of the overpass at Xidan, adding a barrier-free path.

The remolding of the external walls of 11 buildings along the avenue has been ongoing. This task will be completed next year.