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Beijing's Ancient Buildings Preserved During Urban Reconstruction
Most of the ancient architecture in Beijing will be kept intact, though mass reconstruction projects are underway in the national capital, where recorded history dates back more than 3,000 years.
There are several dozen ancient buildings along Ping'an Street, the second longest street in Beijing after Chang'an avenue.
Some underground cultural relics of Tang (618-907), Yuan (1271-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) Dynasties, and a mansion house of a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) princess, the temporary dwelling place of Sun Yat-sen, founder of Kuomintang are all well-protected while the street is being widened, since architects have designed a special shape for the street.
Rebuilding of the 40-year-old Guang'an Street started in August this year and is scheduled to be finished in September next year. Running across Beijing from west to east, it will become the city's third key street when the project is completed.
Project engineers have designed circular routes that head away from old drugstores and publishing houses along the street. A square of grassland was also constructed to protect an ancient church in the area.
Protection of ancient buildings is given top priority during the city's mass construction. Architects sought the best ways to protect these historic legacies and workers were also taught how to distinguish between them and protect them.
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