Beijing Hutong

Many of my friends traveling in Beijing will ask me a question: “do you think it is worth for us to visit Hutong?” I do not know how to answer them. Indeed, known as the soul of old Beijing, Hutong is the best place to experience Beijing. Unfortunately, the real authentic Hutong has been demolished and disappeared forever in the highly increasing city contribution.

At the moment you are walking in the street, thousands of Hutong are been reconstructed. Many Siheyuans in the Hutong are replaced by row upon row of high buildings and large mansions. Facing the disappearing ancient Hutong which symbolize the culture and history of Beijing, what can we retain from the modernization? Beijing Hutong used to be lively decades years ago. Walking in deep of the Hutong, you can see dried trees weep over roofs and spread to the sky. Inside the 4-yuan hair cut shops, Hutong hairdressers are busy in cutting hairs. Lying at the lane entrance, the vegetable market was always crowded and noisy.

The winter Hutong sends out an atmosphere of obsolescence. Under the invading of cold air, it looks solemn and quiet. While as, at the end of Hutongs, you can feel the bustling and extravagant of Beijing city.