Chinanews, Beijing, April 17 - Deep in Nan Luo Gu Xiang, one of the oldest Hutong (the Chinese word for alleys) in Beijing, romantic Western-style parties are regularly held in a quadrangle here, at which tasty coffee and good wine are served, and the customers can enjoy themselves thoroughly while listening to soft music.

 

"My German boyfriend and I love this place, as this ancient quadrangle helps bring to pass our dream of living in the ancient oriental capital, at the same time having access to all the modern conveniences we can have," said Ya Tou (not her real name), the hostess of the party. "In a word, it is our Shangri-la."

 

Sometimes, "old-style" parties are held, and all the visitors are required to put on old-style costumes. Even the food is allocated according to ration coupons. "I like to experience the hard life of our forefathers in such a quadrangle, and I believe it is an ode to them," said Lin, who once attended an "old-style" party.

 

Mostly, the parties are of modern and Western style with numerous artistic elements. "I am always impressed by the atmosphere here. Sometimes I just sit here as if I were in a trance," said Xu, a college girl. Xu especially like the platform on the roof, from which the eaves of the buildings in the Forbidden City can be seen.

 

Movie are often shown at Ya Tou's parties, too. She has installed a projector in the hall of the house.

 

The history of Nan Luo Gu Xiang dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368), and the former residences of the wealthy and influential families in the past have been transformed into the monuments to new fashion trends today.

 

"The quadrangles here are usually full at night, as many as 70 or 80 vistors in each of them," said Ms. Zhou, the owner of a cafe in the near Dong Mian Hua Hu Tong.

 

It is very difficult to find Zhou's cafe, which is hidden in the depth of the Hutong, too. The yard of the cafe is of totally traditional Chinese style, with a clear stream running in it. However, the interior of the house is absolutely Westernized, with fireplaces, huge, soft, red sofas, and a large wooden bar, reminding visitors of some scenes in the fairy tales of H.C Andersen or Brothers Grimm.