China protects Qing Dynasty street

The central government is setting up a special fund to protect an ancient street in central Henan province dating back nearly seven centuries. The 8 million -600 thousand yuan fund will help to protect the street and the architecture in Jingziguan town, of Xichuan county.

Walking on the street, one may wonder if they had travelled back to a time several hundred years ago. This street flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. These were China's last two feudal empires -- which ruled from 1368-1911.

This is the ancient street in Jingziguan town. The street and its surrounding architecture are the best preserved from this era, among all of northern China's 13 provinces. The architecture here combines styles of China's north and south. The facades of more than 700 buildings remain in their original form, thanks to years of effort by the the local Xichuan county.

The old street is one of China's key sites on the national heritage protection list. Now 8.6 million yuan will be set aside to upgrade surrounding water, electrical and transportation systems. Work is expected to commence soon.