Beijing's historic Tai'an Li compound revamped for modern living

After two years of renovations, the Tai'an Li compound in Beijing's Xicheng district has been restored to its former glory.

With nearly 110 years of history, the compound now links traditional and modern living and has become a platform for youths to start businesses.

Once chaotic and crowded residential buildings, Tai'an Li reopened in April 2023 after repairs and relocation. It has since transformed into a venue with cafes, live-action role-playing games, restaurants, and an art center.

"It's really amazing and unbelievable to find an old Shanghai-style building among Beijing's hutongs," said Liu Xiaojun, a tourist who encountered Tai'an Li while wandering the street.

Built in 1914, Tai'an Li is the only preserved shikumen structure in the capital.

Shikumen, which translates as "stone warehouse gate", is an architectural style that mixes Chinese and Western elements. Shikumen houses were built in Shanghai from the 1860s to the 1930s, usually for middle-income families.

Architects learned about the construction style and brought it to the capital more than 100 years ago as a part of the construction of Xiangchang New District, a pilot area for revitalizing Beijing during the Republic of China era (1911-49).

"Before the renovation, it was a purely common residential building. Now, more people, including locals, get to know this building and its hidden stories," said Wu Xinyuan, one of the business owners in Tai'an Li.

"I believe it has a promising future for business since it contains many cultural elements and is supported by the government's cultural relic revitalization policy," Wu said.

Wu's business features many trendy cultural activities, such as yoga, cafes, art exhibitions and a feminist-themed bookstore, offering customers a one-stop cultural experience while immersed in history.

Li Boyu and Zhu Sidi contributed to this story.

Video by Zhu Sidi and Li Boyu