BEIJING'S ANCIENT CAMEL STOP REVIVED AS TOURISM HOT SPOT

Historical, cultural characteristics maintained; temple murals become a major attraction

Moshikou resident An Licheng, 79, remembers well the sound of camel bells ringing as the pack animals traversed the mountain pass in Beijing's western region making their way to the city's downtown.

He said when he was a youngster he could hear the bells sounding from as early as 4 am.

"There was only one road to cross from the western Mentougou district to downtown Beijing, with a large mountain pass on the west side of the road," said An.