For travellers who are curious about how modern Chinese lifestyles exist alongside the country's traditional culture, Nanluoguxiang -- in the eastern part of downtown Beijing -- might be of interest to them.

However, local authorities have suddenly suspended its 3A rating qualification standard. And the popular tourist attraction announced it will temporarily stop receiving tour groups. CCTV reporter has more on what has led to this decision.

Surrounded by traditional Chinese courtyard buildings. Various food stalls, fancy art shops, and boutiques with delicate souvenirs.

All line this 800-meter lane, a well-trodden route which in recent years has been attracting more, and more, and even more tourists. Its average weekday passenger flow has surpassed 30,000 and this figure is topped up by another 20,000 on weekends.

However, the district's tourism authority found that those numbers were extremely hazardous.

"Normally, the appropriate carrying capacity of the site should be under 17,000. We think the site is currenty unsafe as a tourist attraction. So we have accepted the application from the street office, and canceled its 3A qualification," said Li Xuemin, director of Dongcheng District Tourism Dev't Committee.

The site has also stopped receiving tour groups to curb the flow. But away from the safety concerns, the local residents feel the daily swell of tourists also impinge on their right to privacy. Many have put up signs like these. It means, "Not open for visitors".

"Some tourists are very interested in the traditional courtyard. Sometimes when we are having meals inside, watching TV. They just open the door curtain and break in. And we are startled, feeling annoyed," said a local resident
Cheng Lisha.

And, of course, with the large crowds came huge opportunities for many who wanted to make a fast buck. Residents soon saw high-end art shops replaced by low-end food stalls.

On top of that, the site's public toilets came under a huge strain, many becoming highly contaminated. Many believed the site lacked basic management.

"The lane needs to search for a better management mode in the future. Especially to take into consideration the interests of nearby residents, so that the whole area can be both a space for residents, and one for consumers in the future. This could also be the normal state for the development of tourism in the future," said Zeng Bowei from School of Tourism, Beijing Union Univ..

To take some of the strain off this popular lane, authorities are considering the development of similar sites in other parts of the Chinese capital.