Qianmen Street Ⅱ

Since the one-year-long reconstruction finished in May 2008, Qianmen Street has reproduced old Beijing's look and flavor: streetcars, decorated archway (pailou) and bird cages as well as bronze drums all familiar to Beijing people reappear on the street.

The reconstruction plan is in accordance with old photos of Qianmen of the old time. The buildings on the two sides of Qianmen Street are low-rise buildings; one part is two storey buildings with green tile and red pillar, which imitate the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty. Another part of the buildings imitate the architectural style of the Republic of China, adopting brick and cement structure and every building hanging a plaque with golden characters on the black.

When entering the street, visitors can first see the Zhengyangmen Bridge and Wu pailou (decorated archway). Located in Zheng Yang Men, Wu Pai Lou (decorated archway) is restored in accordance with its original appearance. Supported by 6 red pillars, at every pillar's base are two stone carved lions, one standing in front, another in the rear. 12 stone carved lions guard the decorated archway; their bases are engraved with dragons, phoenixes and kylin, symbolizing auspicious meanings.