Olympic feature: renovated Qianmen Street

For Olympic visitors the urge to go sightseeing in Beijing is irresistible. There's the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square. Another not to be missed locale in Beijing is Qianmen Street.

The street recently was restored, to recapture the elegance and ambience of one of Beijing's foremost commercial areas of the past. Qianmen Street reopened August 7th, a day before the opening of the Summer Games. Today, let's take on a tour of this classic, antique commercial setting, Qianmen Street.

Qianmen Street(file photo)

The 840-meter long Qianmen Street began taking shape about 570 years ago. It continued to grow in elegance and stature, finally reaching a heyday in the 1920s and 1930s.

The newly restored look takes guidance from historical photos.

All the traditional touches were maintained.

The unmistakable character of traditional Chinese architecture and history are seen in the gray facades of the buildings and the elaborate wooden archways.

The 840-meter long Qianmen Street began taking shape about 570years ago. It continued to grow in elegance and stature, finally reaching a heyday in the 1920s and 1930s.(Xinhua photo)

Many of stores still await occupants. But 12 of the city's best known commercial enterprises, the time-honored brands that have been on the street for decades or even centuries are all back in business. And tourists from around the world are coming to experience the way it was in the Orient of old.

Some visitors come just to photograph the landmark buildings.

One of these visitors said, "Today's Beijing is just overly modern. I think it's really good to be able to find something old in the city, something that can showcase our culture and tradition."

A long queue waited at the "Duyichu" Shaomai Shop

Quanjude restaurant in Qianmen Steet

And "Yitiaolong" Mutton Restaurant was full to capacity.

Shops that have been around for generations are reinvigorated, without diminishing their charm that extends over hundreds years.

So, even if you come here just to take pictures, there's one place you just cannot miss.

Quanjude, the doyen of roast Peking duck eateries, opened its first restaurant in Qianmen in the late 19th century.

In the dinning hall is one of the original walls. It's preserved now as an historical showcase.

More than 5,000 tourists come to this restaurant every day! And when you look around the tables, the servings are identical, world famous Beijing Roast Duck.

Chen Zhigang, chef of Quanjude, explained why people like to come here, "Quanjude roasts duck above the oven. And because it's roasted over wood from fruit trees, it is especially fragrant. The duck's skin is crisp and meat is delicate. Visitors from all over the world love it."

Besides trying out the exquisite food, you can't miss the newer "China elements" that were included in the restoration. Look at the lamps that come in the shapes of bird cages and rattle drums. More original touches are added in the waste bins and stools made to look like Chinese drums.

For many Chinese people,traveling along Qianmen recalls cherished memories. For visitors, it is a place where one discovers something of the storybook magic of the ancient Orient.

Qianmen is not only a street, it's also a symbol of the city, linking the past to modern times. So it's true, you haven't truly seen Beijing, until you come to Qianmen Street.