Beijing started to cut the number of shops in South Luogu Lane from 235 to 154 by the end of 2016, to protect the famous historic lane and rehabilitate the neighbourhood as a functioning residential area, reported Beijing Youth Daily on Tuesday.

With a history of 740 years, South Luogu Lane was listed as one of Beijing's first historical and cultural protection sites in 1990.

In recent years, the lane in Dongcheng district has become a business hotspot and attracted an increasing number of travelers.

To protect the lane, officials decided to ban tourism groups in the area starting from April 25th, 2016, with individuals still permitted to visit the site.

Lv Decheng, a committee secretary of Dongcheng district, said that to improve quality of life for residents in South Luogu Lane, businesses in the area will also be standardized.

Also, new technologies will be introduced into the neighbourhood, including solar power.

Dongcheng district of Beijing has also been repairing 9 other historical sites.