Rebirth for VIP homes

The posh abodes of Beijing's ancient celebs have taken on a new life since their VIP owners passed on.

Young 20-somethings from abroad crash at the Houhai Youth Hostel, once part of a villa for Ming giant and navigator Zheng He when he wasn't commanding his fleet. Prince Gong's Mansion, which housed a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) official and a prince, recently reopened as the Princely Mansion Museum.

One royal residence maintained its association with wealth and splendor: the Nanxincang Imperial Granary in Dongsishitiao. Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the well-guarded granary once contained a supply said to be worth more than gold and jade.

Since 2006, the collection of 600-year-old buildings has been transformed from lowly storage sheds for nearby department stores to high-end restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, bringing novelties like live Italian jazz.

Last weekend found Hao Wei, 30, at the Xin Beijing Art Gallery, where the exhibition, Nobility, runs until Aug 30. Art experts, lunching couples and families with children in tow casually stepped into the low brick buildings - with curved, tiled traditional roofing - for a taste of contemporary art.

"I come to the gallery often," says Hao, a designer and former art student. "There's always something different."

Zhang Wei, curator and one featured artist, says the contrast between the ancient and modern factored in his decision to show three of his paintings at the Imperial Granary. Gray bricks and age-darkened wooden beams peak through the pristine white walls of the gallery.

Address: 22 Nanxincang, Dongsi Shitiao, Dongcheng district 东城区东四十条南新仓22号

Tel: 6409-6389

(China Daily 08/24/2008 page16)