Qianmen Street, to the south of Tian'anmen Square in the heart of Beijing, was permanently closed to traffic at midnight on Wednesday. After Wangfujing, this is now the second main pedestrian thoroughfare in the city. Traffic flow was diverted to two other north-south axes that run parallel to it, said Tie Lan, a Chongwen District publicity official.

The history of Qianmen Street stretches back to the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) when its latticework of alleys became a major commercial district.

By the time of Emperor Jiajing, the 12th Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) emperor, the street was lined with guild halls housing students preparing for the imperial exams.

Qianmen Street metamorphosed again in the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) with lantern fairs, theaters and teahouses settled there. Locales like the Guanghe Theater -- which may soon be demolished -- and the Quanjude roast duck restaurant are now an integral part of Beijing's folklore.

The massive redevelopment of Qianmen Street, which began in late 2002, forms part of Beijing's refurbishment of its old districts ahead of the 2008 Olympics. "The redevelopment is massive but Qianmen Street will not lose its time-honored shops, like Quanjude," said Tie, adding that over a hundred would be preserved.

The street will become a tourism hotspot and boast some new office buildings, said Tie. He also pointed out that the road surface had taken a year to renovate and that work had now moved to renewing the two sides of the street.

The Quanjude Group's oldest outlet on Qianmen Street closed for renovations on Tuesday night. However, its oven fire which legend has it has been burning permanently since the restaurant opened in 1864 was preserved in a ceremony on Tuesday evening.

Unfortunately, Guanghe Theater, Beijing's oldest which dates back to the Ming Dynasty, will fall to the bulldozers after being condemned. A new facility will be built on its foundations to mark the spot.

Beijing used to have about 40 opera houses, most of them located to the south of the Forbidden City but Guanghe enjoyed a special heritage.

It was here that master Mei Lanfang began his acting career aged 10 over a century ago. He played a girl weaver in the "Palace of Everlasting Youth: Secret Betrothal at the Magpie Bridge."

Qianmen Street, to the south of Tian'anmen Square at the heart of Beijing, was closed for massive redevelopment at midnight Wednesday, April 25.

Several pedestrians walk before the143-year-old Beijing roast duck restaurant at Qianmen Street, which was closed for renovations on Wednesday, April 25.

Qianmen Street, to the south of Tian'anmen Square at the heart of Beijing, was closed for overhaul on Wednesday, April 25.

(CRI.cn April 26, 2007)