As people understand more about China, they often want to come for a visit. Here's just one more reason they might want to extend their stay in the capital city. One of Beijing's oldest commercial streets, the Dashilan'er Street has reopened after a grand and massive renovation that strove to retain the traditional appearance of the buildings.

One of Beijing's oldest commercial streets, the Dashilan'er Street has re- opened after a grand and massive renovation that strove to retain the tradi- tional appearance of the buildings.

The renovation concentrated on the major buildings along the western section of the street. One of the oldest shops on the street is Qingyunge, or the "Blue Cloud Pavilion". It was one of the four department stores in Beijing in the late Qing Dynasty. Many famous political and literary figures once dined and shopped there.

Besides such major architecture, there are also multiple small vendors along the street, selling various local snacks. These small shops have also been refurbished to keep their original appearances.

Dashilan'er market street has been Beijing's commercial center for six-hundred years. The renovation work, which costs around 244-million, is part of a comprehensive overhaul to the Qianmen area in the heart of Beijing. The Qianmen Gate, linking the aristocratic inner city and the common folk's outer city, leads to the oldest commercial street in Beijing, Dashilan'er, which was packed with time-honored brands.

(CCTV October 17, 2009)