The Zhu family, whose home is more than 100 years old, is granted the first Olympic home-stay certificate on July 11

A traditional Chinese style compound, close to Shichahai, a popular bar spot in central Beijing, has been attracting an unusual number of visitors in recent weeks.

It is the home of the Zhu family, the first accredited home-stay family of the Beijing Olympics.

A total of 1,118 families across Beijing have applied to be part of the home-stay scheme. So far 598 homes have been selected, offering 726 rooms during the Olympics.

"We expect the home-stay scheme to provide a platform for communication between foreigners and Beijing residents, who can enjoy the Olympics together," said An Jinming, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Tourism Bureau, after granting a china plate printed with the words "Olympic home-stay" to Zhu.

The requirements for Olympic home-stays include that at least one family member living with the guests; separate bedrooms and wash rooms for the visitors; at least one family member who is able to talk with the tourists; fire extinguishers; and emergency lighting equipment. On March 28, the Beijing Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision released a regulation on the selection criteria for Olympic home-stays, which included specific requirements on etiquette, cultural atmosphere and safety standards.

"My niece will come to help us communicate with our foreign guests. Her English is excellent," said Zhu Baohua, the host of the family.

Zhu has redecorated the guest rooms in ancient Chinese style. A hand-carved rosewood bed in one of the bedrooms has a history of more than 100 years and has been handed down through the family for generations. The bed is also equipped with Chinese style accessories, including a silk quilt and canopy bed curtain in dark red.

Zhu's house is a siheyuan, a typical ancient Chinese structure that was popular in the north. The room positioned to the north of the quadrangle and facing the south across the compound is considered the main house and would traditionally have accommodated the head of the family. The rooms adjoining the main house are called "side houses" and are the quarters of the younger generations of the family. Corridors link the main and side houses. The gate to the courtyard is traditionally at the southeastern corner. Normally, there are no windows on the outside walls of the compound, to protect it from street noise.

Zhu's family bought their house in 1915. Until 2004, all 13 members of the extended family lived in this house. In 2004, Zhu renovated the house and tourists began knocking on their door asking to take a look inside. From this Zhu started a family tour guide agency, taking visitors round his own home and neighboring lanes.

During his latest redecoration of the property, Zhu prepared the main house and one side house for foreign guests. His family will live in the other side of the house. The room that faces north will be used as an exhibition area to showcase a collection of family antiques. Zhu said, "I am sure that foreign guests will be able to experience an authentic Beijing lifestyle."

To become a qualified Olympic home-stay host, Zhu has bought books on the cultural differences between the East and the West. "I don't want to become a laughing stock," he said.

The courtyard of Zhu's house is small, but contains exquisitely cultivated trees and plants, as well as goldfish and singing birds in cages.

According to the regulations, the Beijing Municipal Tourism Bureau is in charge of providing local cuisine, bed sheets, anti-bacterial lotion for cleaning, fire extinguishers and training material on Western etiquette, sanitary and safety knowledge to home-stay families.

The rate for a home-stay is $60 to $80 per day per room. "Prices may differ slightly according to location and size, and whether breakfast is included. The final price will be on the contract," said Zhou Shuqi, an official of the Beijing Municipal Tourism Bureau.

China International Travel Service and China Travel Service offer package tours that cover food, tickets, transportation and accommodation in Olympic home-stays, priced at 5,000 yuan ($714) and 8,000 yuan ($1,143) for four days and three nights or five days and four nights respectively.

Zhu's neighbor, 61-year-old Zhang Jing, has also had his home approved as an Olympic home-stay. Zhang's house, also a siheyuan, dates back 386 years. "Our family has been living here for 60 years and we have received many foreign tourists," Zhang said.

Zhang, an expert on folklore, has designed the guest rooms into different themes so that guests can choose rooms according to their interests and tastes. "I want them to sample the essence of Chinese lane culture and also enjoy hearty services," Zhang said.

Grapevines cast their shadow across Zhang's courtyard during the day. "The grapes are still green, but they will ripen right in time for our Olympic guests," said Zhang, who has tickets for the table tennis and soccer competitions.

The apartment of Qian Xuepu, a retired hydrologist and Olympic home-stay host, is only 400 meters away from the Beijing National Stadium, which will host the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies. Qian and his wife have redecorated one room, which has a laptop computer. Qian, who speaks fluent English, is also an avid amateur swimmer, who swims every day. He has trained his eight-year-old granddaughter as an amateur ice hockey player who has participated in international competitions.

Foreign tourists traveling in tour groups can book home-stays at the headquarters of China International Travel Service and China Travel Service. A number of American and Japanese tourists have already booked home-stay package tours.