Nanluoguxiang (South Luogu Lane), a famous tourist spot in Beijing will be closed to group visitors starting next Monday, April 25. The area has also lost its qualification as a national 3A grade scenic spot, the Beijing Youth Daily reported on Friday.

With a 768-meter central lane running from south to north and eight alleys meandering east to west on both sides, South Luogu Lane is filled with cafes, bars, restaurants and shops, all designed in the classical Chinese hutong style. The area has a history of more than 700 years.

Statistics show that the current average daily flow of visitors through South Luogu Lane has surpassed 30,000. The figure rises to 50,000 on weekends and as high as 100,000 on holidays. But the holding capacity of South Luogu Lane is only 17,000, according to a standard issued by the China National Tourism Administration. “The overcrowded passenger traffic is not only harm to the protection of this historical and cultural zone, but also has high risk of causing a public safety incident,” said a staff member of the Tourism Development Commission in Dongcheng District, where the area is located.

As one of Beijing's 25 cultural and historical protection areas, South Luogu Lane is also a residential area. At present, parts of it are undergoing renovation. To protect its original appearance and avoid any public safety incidents, the commission decided to close the lane to group visitors. “We hope travel agencies and tourists can adjust their routes in advance,” said the staff.

Meanwhile, a staff member with the Beijing Municipal Commission for Tourism Development told the reporter that the disqualification of national 3A grade scenic spot was requested by South Luogu Lane out of the consideration for traffic control.

Located in downtown Beijing, the lane’s neighboring areas have been under great traffic pressure and its evacuation space is very limited. As a free entrance spot, its large visitor flow has also affected local residents’ daily life.

After the disqualification, the Municipal Commission for Tourism Development will not suggest travel agencies bring tourism groups there. But South Luogu Lane is still open to independent travelers.

Overcapacity has become a common problem for tourist spots in Beijing. Many of them have implemented measures to control tourist traffic with successful results. For example, the daily tourist flow in the Forbidden City has dropped to around 80,000 from 180,000.

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