Two members of the Libyan Olympic delegation walk past a poster of “siheyuan”, a Chinese traditional courtyard dwelling, at the Beijing Olympic village in China’s capital yesterday. Elements of Chinese culture have been weaved into designs and decorations in the village, attracting residents from home and abroad. Xinhua
EARLY residents in the Olympic Village on Sunday gave a ringing endorsement of the distinctive Chinese features in the Olympians’ living quarters.
“I’m impressed with the overall layout and surroundings,” said Chinese gymnastics head coach Huang Yubin, who with his charges attended the flag-raising ceremony on the village square Sunday morning.
“I particularly like the traditional Chinese courtyard houses,” he added.
Huang, who made his Olympic debut as a coach in 1992, said China had set an example of adding traditional culture into the Olympic village.
“I will walk around every corner of the village to admire Chinese culture,” said Huang. “My first impression is really good.”
The village’s vice mayor Deng Yaping, a four-time Olympic gold medalist in table tennis, works in a rectangular compound used as the head office for the village.
The compound houses a Dragon King Temple, which was built in 1501.
“The head office is unique and can be used to receive VIP guests and government officials,” said Deng.
(Xinhua)