A series of cultural events was launched on Thursday at the Drum Tower West Theatre to boost tourism and consumption in Beijing's Gulou West Street area.

The events were organized by the Beijing Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the Beijing Cultural Heritage Bureau, and hosted by the bureau of culture and tourism of Xicheng district.

With a history of nearly 800 years, Gulou West Street lies on the northern bank of the Shichahai Lake, and stretches around 1.7 kilometers from the Deshengmen Gate in the northwest to the Drum Tower in the southeast.

From September to mid-October, events will comprise stage performances, literary salons and themed tours, highlighting relevant cultural heritage, including the Beijing Central Axis and the Grand Canal.

At the opening ceremony, 12 individuals and organizations were awarded as the "co-creation partners of Gulou West Street", and four organizations as the "co-creation curators of Gulou West Street".