Ghost fans invade 'haunted' church in Beijing   

北京朝內(nèi)81號院因驚悚電影吸引大批“探險迷”

近日，一部以京城老宅為背景的驚悚電影《京城81號》上映，真實(shí)存在的朝內(nèi)大街81號院吸引了大批“探險迷”參觀。該院中兩棟本是民國時期美國天主教會用作培訓(xùn)學(xué)校的老樓，因年久失修的破敗感和網(wǎng)上流傳的恐怖傳言，逐漸被探險迷們冠以“京城第一兇宅”之名。昨日，朝內(nèi)81號院管理方表示，慕名而來的參觀者近期激增，木質(zhì)結(jié)構(gòu)的百年老樓存在安全隱患，希望游客能理性看待這座古宅。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- Two dilapidated and allegedly haunted mansions on Chaonei Dajie No.81 in Beijing have received a large influx of visitors, now that a ghost movie called "Jingcheng No. 81" is being screened in the city, the Beijing News said.

The mansions, also known as Chaonei Church, are connected to a chilling story about the suicide of a National Party officer's wife, even though the Beijing Patriotic Catholic Association, which owns the building, has said it is not haunted.

The number of visitor has increased by several times since the movie's publicity campaign, a guard named Ren at the mansions said Monday. "Nearly a thousand visitors came during the past weekend, and someone even dragged a suitcase here before going to the train station."

Ren said they were under great pressure, as the 100-year-old mansion might pose safety risks to visitors. Reporters found that some wooden steps had been broken or damaged.

Visitors have been asked to takes turns entering the mansion, Ren added.

Meng Qi, head of the "infrastructure office" at the association, said they even asked police to discourage visitors over the weekend. "We have added guards and accelerated the application process for repairs," Meng said.

Ren said they would lock the door at night and forbid visitors to enter.

Two young women asked about the ghost rumors while touring the building on Monday. A guard laughed, "There is no ghost, and we have slept here for more than a month."

The association has plans to renovate the historic structure. "We are waiting for the green light from the relics protection department before going through the necessary procedures," China Daily said, citing Bi Wensheng from the association.