A lot done, more to do: Renovations continue in old Beijing

The renovation of Beijing's old downtown neighborhood has brought better living conditions to residents and preserved cultural heritage at the same time.

The east area of Qianmen, sitting on the south side of Tiananmen Square, has addressed its problems of overpopulation and poor infrastructure and environment to become one of the best examples of the capital's efforts to rebuild the area.

But the area still needs further refurbishment of the old hutongs and the introduction of increased commerce to encourage vitality and achieve ultimate regeneration, said Li Jun, general manager of Tianjie Group, which is in charge of the development.

Li took interviews on Saturday with domestic and foreign journalists as part of a reporting tour on the People's Republic of China's 70th anniversary.

Beijing's Qianmen area has enjoyed a history of over six centuries, remaining a rich source of historical and cultural legacies.

Its eastern area, over 50 hectares large, has one of the city's most distinct features – narrow alleyways, or hutongs, but also suffered from problems of endangered buildings, outdated water and electricity facilities as well as a dense population.

"Many young people, or people relatively more affluent, have fled the old neighborhood," Li said.

"In the past, as long as it rained, the hutongs' ground would be filled with water pits. The narrow lane was crammed with coal sheds and old bikes.

"You couldn't see blue sky when you looked up but cobweb-like wires all over your head. And you didn't need to ask someone for public toilet. You just followed the smell," local resident Sun Zhenxi said.

The renovation kicked off in 2014. On Xidamochang Street, which is about 1,100 meters long, Li said they invited famous architects to repair the buildings and redesign some of the old courtyards.

The Sanlihe River, formed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) but filled and gradually disappeared during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), was re-dredged and restored and transformed into an ecological park.

Li said the 17 hutongs in Caochang were also thoroughly refurbished and are now equipped with updated water and electricity facilities underground.

The roads have been repaved and public toilets have been rebuilt.

"The streets are neat. The coal has changed to gas. The wires overhead has been re-installed underground. Our living environment has been much improved," Sun said.

Li said the renovation work is still however far from complete.

The area still needs to improve its hutongs' environment, repair derelict buildings and restore heritage sites. More business is needed to attract more young people and those who love the culture of the old city.

"Protection and revival are our major tasks now. They are two indispensable parts to make Beijing's old neighborhood more attractive and become a new image of Beijing culture," he said.