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Renovation work on 15 lanes (hutong) around Shichahai Lake, Beijing was initiated on July 2, with a construction area of 900 square meters of violated buildings to be demolished. After that, all walls alongside the lanes will be painted gray to restore the original appearance of the local Beijing area.
The 15 lanes that are going to be renovated include Dajinsi, Xiaojinsi, Qianjing, Huxiaojing, Liuhai, Dashibei, Yindingqiao, Tongtiechang, Qianhaidongyan, Qianhainanyan, Beihaiqianyan, Houhainanyan, Nangongfang, and Beigongfang around Shichahai Lake.
The renovation project includes demolishing damaged buildings on the outside of the courtyards and, mending and painting rooftops and walls. This fall, tourists coming to Shichahai will find the original gray color reappearing in the lanes around the local area.
According to historical record, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, only buildings inside the Forbidden City could be painted red and have tiles of yellow, and all residences of the ordinary citizens should be gray to give prominence to the Imperial Palace.
In the renovation project, all walls mixed with red, blue and gray colors, as well as the red walls built after 1970s, will be painted a unified gray color. The renovation project will be surveyed by specially appointed experts in the ancient architectural field. The project is planned to be finished by the end of September.
The Shichahai tourism zone is the largest one among the 25 historical culture protection areas in Beijing. There are 40 relics in Shichahai region, including the famous prince mansions like Prince Gong Palace and Prince Chun Palace.
(China.org.cn by Wang Zhiyong, July 14, 2003)
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