Xiaolou Lane is once again open to the public in Wuxi after a long restoration. [Photo/IC]

Restoration work on Xiaolou Lane was completed at the end of last year and the lane reopened to the public this spring.

Located in Wuxi's?Liangxi district, the 500-meter-long Xiaolou Lane, which was last restored 10 years ago, is one of Wuxi's four historical and cultural blocks. It covers an area of 4,000 square meters and used to be the former residence of two of the most distinguished notables in Wuxi, surnamed Tan and Song, during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

Now the buildings keep the features of the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and No 50 of Xiaolou Lane preserves the only peony tree from the Qing Dynasty, which is listed among the city's old and famous trees. The most recent restoration, in 2002, saw the repair of twenty-five cultural relics and historical buildings in the area.

In 2008, the city government agreed to carry out restoration work on Xiaolou Lane and rebuilt the area as a central cultural block.

Located in Wuxi's Liangxi district, Xiaolou Lane is one of Wuxi's four historical and cultural blocks. [Photo/IC]

The buildings in Xiaolou Lane keep the features of the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) [Photo/IC]

Xiaolou Lane has been rebuilt as a cultural block in downtown Wuxi. [Photo/IC]