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Trolley buses are to return to Beijing after an absence of more than 50 years when they become the only vehicles allowed on a new-look Qianmen Street later this year.

 

A major project to renovate and revitalise the area along the famous street, which is situated close to Tian'anmen Square, began on Wednesday.

 

 

Once the work is completed, visitors will be able to tour the area for free on the trolley buses, whose reintroduction will help recreate images of Qianmen Street in its heyday at the end of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

 

Niu Qingshan, head of the Chongwen District, said the project, which was inspired by file photos of the street taken in 1957, will turn the area into a "pedestrian mall" by restoring the area's traditional old-world architecture and style.

 

"Preserving the historic appearance and improving living conditions for residents are the main aims of the renovation project," Niu said.

 

Qianmen Street has been a commercial centre for centuries, boasting a wide range of shops selling everything from traditional medicines to fine silks, as well as tea houses and snack bars like Duyichu, which is famous for its shaomai (stuffed steamed buns).

 

Li Xiao-guang, Party sectary of Chongwen District, said the scheme will involve the widening of the original narrow road and the restoration of the old shops to their former glory.

 

Restoration on the "Yueshengzhai" shop, which has been selling pickled beef and mutton for more than 230 years, is nearly complete, Li said.

 

"More than 80 traditional shops will be renovated on their original sites according to old photos," Li said, "We will spare no effort to restore the grandeur to Qianmen Street."

 

As well as restoring the street's shops, its landmark structures, including the Zhengyangmen Bridge, Guannghe "Zha Building" and Wupai Building will also be renovated. And as a finishing touch, the 845-m-long street will be paved with green and white marble.

 

Once completed, Qianmen Street will become Beijing's second pedestrian-only thoroughfare after Wangfujing in the city's downtown shopping district.

 

Wang Shijie, an expert on ancient architecture, said: "Once renovated it is hoped Qianmen Street, with its combination of Eastern and Western cultural styles, will become a hot spot for tourists from both home and abroad."

 

In addition to the structural improvements, the electricity, gas and water supply networks are to be upgraded, and a new underground car park with 1,500 spaces will be built.

 

Qianmen Street was known as a prosperous commercial strip as early as the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), but its peak was in the early years of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when it was home to a host of popular theaters and teahouses.

 

The redevelopment of the ancient street is part of Beijing's efforts to refurbish its old city areas ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2007)