Large tour buses will be forbidden to enter the Sichahai Scenic Area, an elegant in Beijing downtown, from Thursday on.

Twenty-four traffic sign boards were set up at various entrances of the scenic area Wednesday night, forbidding larger tour buses to enter. They will park in other nearby areas.

The Shichahai area is central scenic zone featuring the life of old Beijing. The attractions include old hutongs, traditional siheyuans, the former garden of the Qing Dynasty regent, the Shichahai Lake and bars along the lakeshore.

For a long time, the Shichahai area suffered from huge traffic burdens as hordes of large tour buses carrying tourists poured in. The traffic flow degraded the beauty of the area and affected local residents' lives.

The measure will bring back a quiet and peaceful Shichahai to residents and tourists.

(CRIENGLISH June 22, 2006)