Ancient buildings in Fuzhou rented as clubs

Ancient buildings in a historical street in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, are being rented as clubs and restaurants.

The street, called Sanfangqixiang, is home to more than 200 ancient buildings, dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

But the Beijing Morning Post reported on Friday that some old buildings have been turned into upmarket clubs, wine bars or high-end restaurants, while others are rented as offices and are closed to the public.

For example, the former residence of a general in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) is now a luxury restaurant, where the average bill for each customer is 1,000 yuan ($160).

Lin Chu, manager of the Fuzhou Sanfangqixiang Preservation and Development Co, said the rented buildings are not under state protection.

But he said the contracts signed between the company and tenants state that no private clubs are allowed and that the old buildings should be partly open to the public.

The company will negotiate with tenants and liaise with them on the best use of the buildings, he said.