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

Xiaolou Lane announced its official reopening on?June 28, integrating Jiangnan residential complexes with elements of tourism, leisure, culture, training and exhibitions.

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

Visitors are crowded in Xiaolou Lane on its first day of opening, June 28. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Now the buildings retain the features of the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and No 50 preserves the only peony tree from the Qing Dynasty, which is listed among the city's famous trees. The most recent restoration, in 2002, saw the repair of 25 cultural relics and historic buildings in the area.

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