COURTYARD LIFE: 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