BEIJING - Chinese culture always appeals to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

After visiting the Museum of Qin Shihuang Terracotta Warriors and Horses in northwestern China's Shaanxi province during her last visit in 2010, Merkel visited a traditional Chinese hutong area on Thursday.

Merkel walked through the 1,000-meter Nanluoguxiang, a lane in eastern Beijing with more than 700 years of history. It is home to many bars, stores, restaurants and traditional courtyard homes called siheyuan.

She had a brief tour of Courtyard 7, a hotel with 300 years of history located in the central area of Nanluoguxiang, and was introduced to it by its manager.

Despite repairs, Courtyard 7, previously owned by a high-ranking minister in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), is a well-preserved example of traditional Chinese architecture.

Many Germans are interested in Chinese culture and history, and activities like the 2012 Chinese Culture Year in Germany, launched on Monday, will further deepen understanding of each other, said Merkel in a speech to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on Thursday morning.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Nanluoguxiang, a traditional hutong area in Beijing, on Thursday. Merkel is in China on an official visit from Thursday to Saturday. David Gray / Reuters