The Olympic family hotels scheme was unveiled at Shichahai hutong in Beijing on Friday, July 11.

From more than 1,000 applicants, 598 families have been selected to host foreign visitors to the Olympics from early August. Thirty-three of the families live in hutong-style homes, which were built during the age of the dynasties and represent traditional Beijing architecture.

The host families will provide accommodation and hospitality to foreign guests during the Olympic Games. People from across the world will be given the opportunity to experience traditional Chinese folk lifestyle. The families have been gifted 'Olympic Homestay' china plates from the Beijing Tourism Bureau.

Zuo Jun from one of the host families told CRI that their house was one of the most well-preserved estates within the area.

She says they have had international guests staying at their house in the past, including government officials, scholars, delegates and students. She adds the Olympic family hotel scheme is a platform for cultural exchange, and feels honored to be part of the drive.

Zuo Jun has renovated parts of her house to ensure her guests are comfortable as possible.

Travel agencies from the United States, Canada, Chile, Japan and Singapore have all expressed interest in the scheme. According to the Beijing Tourism Bureau, a Japanese travel agency is in the process of incorporating this kind of accommodation into their Olympic Games package which also includes game tickets.

The families have been gifted 'Olympic Homestay' china plates from the Beijing Tourism Bureau. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Yang Yong]