Beijing Hutong to receive cultural makeover

More cultural spaces will be encouraged in Beijing's highly commercialized hutong, includingthe popular Nanluoguxiang, according to the Dongheng district government.

The district government announced a three-year plan on Tuesday to better develop the richhistoric resources in the district, bringing in more cultural establishments and activities andsetting a higher entrance standard for commercial entities.

The move came after the government's ban on large tour groups in Nanluoguxiang last monthto reduce the impact on residents and the potential risk to historic buildings in the 740-year-old alley, which is lined with shops, restaurants and bars.

Despite the regulation, more than 160,000 visitors on the May Day holiday weekend flockedto the 787-meter alley, which has eight narrower and symmetrical alleys on either side.

Under the plan, more than 60 percent of the establishments should be culturally-themed bythe end of 2018.

While the alley will be the focal point, similar policies will apply to many other ancient hutong,including those near Yonghegong Lama Temple, to upgrade tourism in the district.

Meanwhile, the document bans the expansion of the existing wholesale market in the districtand the building of retail spaces larger than 10,000 square meters. By the end of 2017, half ofthe small-commodity markets in the district will be removed.

Instead, the government will invest 25 million yuan ($3.8 million) and build at least eightcomprehensive service complexes in three years, which will include grocery stores, barbershops and household management services.

(CHINADAILY)