A staff worker of Majuyuan hat shop on the 500-year-old Dashilan commercial street in central Beijing welcomes customers as the street reopened on July 30, 2008 after a mass-scale renovation. [Photo: cctv.com]

The 500-year-old Dashilan commercial street in central Beijing reopened on Wednesday after a mass-scale renovation.

The new street features buildings and storefronts that look like they were centuries ago, the Beijing Evening News reported.

Once the business center of Beijing, the Dashilan area has gathered some of China's oldest brands, such as Tongrentang (TCM), Neiliansheng (shoes), and Ruifuxiang (silk and fabrics).

The neighboring Qianmen street, which also has been refurbished, will reopen on August 7 in time for Olympic guests.