Choked by its own success: nanluoguxiang

Fame and fortune prove to be a toxic mix for a tourist attraction

When the pronouncement was made it was akin to a doctor telling a patient he must give up drinking and smoking - and that if he is to survive one of his legs will have to be amputated.

The patient in question is Nanluoguxiang, an area of Beijing that has grown fat on the attention and money of tourists over the past 10 years and now lies enfeebled, its arteries clogged.