Early residents in the Olympic Village on Sunday gave a ringing endorsement of the distinctive Chinese features in the Olympians' living quarters.

"I'm impressed with the overall layout and surrounding," said Chinese gymnastics head coach Huang Yubin, who and his charges attended the flag-raising ceremony on the village square Sunday morning.

"I most favor the traditional Chinese courtyard houses," he added.

Huang, who made his Olympic debut as a coach in 1992, said China had set an example of adding traditional culture into the Olympic village.

"I will walk around every corner of the village to admire Chinese culture," said Huang. "My first impression is really good."

Village's vice mayor Deng Yaping, a four-time Olympic gold medalist in table tennis, works in a rectangular compound used as the head office of the village.

The compound houses a Dragon King Temple which was built in 1501.

"The head office is unique and can be used to receive VIP guests and government officials," said Deng.

Chen Wenbin, China's men's weightlifting head coach, said he liked traditional Chinese features of the village and believed late comers from all over the world would be as impressed as he was.

"It's the first time for me to be here and I feel really good. The scenery is absorbing," said Chen.

Chen's assistant Wang Guoxin nodded in agreement, adding "the village touched his heart."

"It's a great place for athletes to unwind," he said.

"The service is good too. I see lots of smiling faces and I feel at home," he added.

Chinese gymnast Li Xiaopeng, the Olympic and world champion, described the village "friendly".

"I feel great being here. Everything is friendly," Li said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2008)