Qianmen Street, a symbol of genuine Beijing local culture which boomed during the Qing Dynasty, has been famous for the once prosperous business complex of brand stores, street vendors selling traditional crafts and actors performing various acrobatic moves.

As a succession of Beijing's cultural essence, twelve Beijing local brands which boast a history stretching back several centuries, also known in China as "time-honored brands", resumed their businesses in the historical street after one year's halt during the full-scale renovation of the whole street.

The new Qianmen Street has kept its traditional Chinese elements of decoration style and architectural structure after the renovations, continuing its classical theme.

Well known brand names including Quanjude roast duck, Yitiaolong mutton, Changchun Tang drugstore, and Zhang Yiyuan teahouse, enjoyed a delightful opening with tens of thousands of guests flooding into the stores, proving the deep-rooted popularity of traditional brands among local Beijing citizens.

The ways of greeting guests, also a typical business culture in Beijing during the Qing Dynasty, have been preserved to attract modern day people. At the entrance of the Yitiaolong restaurant, waiters dressed in costumes of Qing Dynasty utter warm greetings to passersby, bowing to guests with their hands folded in front, making a nostalgic scene to match the old-fashioned architecture.

Enthusiastic customers came for a rare dining experience with many diners waiting in long queues outside the restaurants while other guests swarmed inside.

Business owners had expected exceptional number of diners before the opening, a senior waiter at Duyichu restaurant, which is well-known for its flour-made snacks, revealed. Extra staff were transferred from other Duyichu outlets to help with the busy opening in Qianmen.

Beijing locals are the main force behind the dining craze in Qianmen Street, proving the historical influence of the old brands. "I came here specially for the opening and I had anticipated the dining rush. The food served at Duyichu means a lot to me, because my husband and I used to enjoy their food dozens of years ago", a female Beijing citizen couldn't hide her excitement for the local brand food.

Despite the adrenaline rush of visitors who are fascinated by the atmosphere of the new Qianmen Street, different opinions still exist.

Zhang Yunting, a local resident who has collected photos and scripts of Beijing's culture and history for many years after his retirement, said that the indigenous flavor of Beijing's traditions could never be revived through replication. 

The center gate Zhengyangqiao, a landmark at the north end of the main axis of Qianmen Street, is pictured in this photograph, August 7, 2008. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]