A tower on the old city wall of Beijing lights up when night falls on Monday, July 7, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

A section of the old city wall in Beijing has become an attraction for both travelers and local residents after a delicate renovation project.

Xinhua news agency reported Tuesday that the old buildings have also started lighting up at night as the Olympics approach.

The wall, part of the original round-city wall built during Ming Dynasty, is located in central Beijing stretching 1.5 kilometers from Dongbianmen Pass in the east to Chongwenmen in the west.

The ruler of Ming Dynasty began constructing the wall spanning 40 kilometers in 1419.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the majority of the wall was razed to develop the city.

(CRI.cn July 9, 2008)