SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: Ancient Chinese alleyways have become a perfect setting for new hotels in Beijing. The small lanes are usually flanked by four-sided courtyards of 3,000-year-old houses.</s>OCTAVIA NASR: That's right. Now the alleys attract millions of tourists, who not only want to see, but also to experience certain Chinese traditions. Beijing TV reports.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE, BEIJING TV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The aim</s>SUN WEI, HOSTEL MANAGER: Some overseas students traveling around found this hotel by accident. They like the style very much. And immediately moved over here.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Converts into traditional residential buildings has become all the rage in Beijing. For a time, some national companies wanted buildings in places like the summer palace, to use as offices. This practice has been banned, but traditional housing could not qualify as a historical landmark, have been put to use as a hotel.</s>JOHN JEAKINS, SWISSOTEL ASIA: The picture of the '90s in China and in Beijing specifically, a lot of hotel development took place. Mostly, traditional modern hotels, so now, we have the opportunity here to build something very special -- world class we think -- in a traditional Chinese setting with very modern facilities, so we think it is one of the first of a kind, but I believe there will be more such projects in the future.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The hostel
Ancient Chinese Alleyways the Site for Modern Hotels