Renovated public spaces contribute to culture
Beijing is most recently known as the only city to ever host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. But in the eyes of residents, it is a city boasting a rich culture, leisure activities and friendly neighbors. Invited by the 2022 Beijing Media Center, journalists working for 35 domestic and foreign media outlets took a trip to the Longfu Temple area on Feb 3.
Situated in Dongcheng district and close to the Wangfujing commercial center, the area has been witness to the changing landscape of Beijing.
In 2019, the area home to the old Longfu Temple, which was built in 1452, and Longfu Dasha and its nearby shopping streets, which were among the city’s most popular shopping destinations back in the 1980s, had its first phase of renovations completed.
M Woods Art Museum, a new gallery with a growing fan base in Beijing, chose to launch its exhibition collaborating with the British Museum in the area.
On Feb 13, journalists visited Changdian No 11 Yard in Xicheng district to have a sneak peek at the upgraded public space in neighborhoods.
As one of the first eight pilot projects, the yard’s public space completed renovations on June 21, 2021. It features 374 square yards of indoor activity area and 2,390 square yards of outdoor activity area.
To experience the nationwide demand for ice and snow sports, inspired by the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Chinese and foreign journalists came to an outdoor ice rink on Shichahai Lake.
Zhou Hongqi, president of the Xicheng district ice cuju (ancient Chinese soccer) association, told the journalists that visitors to the rink can build a snowman, have a snowball fight, ride ice sledges and play tug-of-war on ice. “These activities not only showcase common people’s wisdom, but also reflect their pursuit and yearning for a better life.”