Ghost fans invade 'haunted' church in Beijing   

北京朝内81号院因惊悚电影吸引大批“探险迷”

近日，一部以京城老宅为背景的惊悚电影《京城81号》上映，真实存在的朝内大街81号院吸引了大批“探险迷”参观。该院中两栋本是民国时期美国天主教会用作培训学校的老楼，因年久失修的破败感和网上流传的恐怖传言，逐渐被探险迷们冠以“京城第一凶宅”之名。昨日，朝内81号院管理方表示，慕名而来的参观者近期激增，木质结构的百年老楼存在安全隐患，希望游客能理性看待这座古宅。[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.