Beijing has launched over 100 cultural relic renovation projects along its 7.8-kilometer central axis over the past five years, officials from the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage said recently.

The projects involve efforts such as the relocation of non-capital functions, the renovation of ancient architecture, and the governance of streets and alleys.

The Yilan Hall complex in Beihai Park is one of those under renovations. According to head of the park Hu Tong, the complex was an imperial garden and has been expanded multiple times over its 800 plus years of history. However, it has been occupied by the time-honored brand Fangshan Restaurant since 1959 and not received a large scale renovation since.

Considering the potential risks, Beijing relocated the restaurant in 2016, stopping damages from cooking fumes to the ancient architecture within an area of approximately 1,000 square meters. The restaurant facilities have been removed, and the renovations have started.

Hu said that the buildings and historical landscape will be renovated and restored with minimum intrusion, and the work can be finished as early as next year.

Some cultural relic renovation projects have already completed. For example, Guande Palace in Jingshan Park finished the work in September, restoring its look to around 270 years ago. It is planning to hold exhibitions on the central axis and other cultural activities for the general public in the future. With some new benches and floor lamps, the Yangmeizhu Xiejie Street in Qianmen area has taken on a more modern look.

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