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formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences of the past. A hutong complex is formed by four houses around a quadrangular courtyard. Many of these have been cleared to make way for new buildings. The hutong our tour took us to is in Shi Cha Hai, located in the western part of Old Beijing. The area was once an important commercial hub. |
This is the best way to see life in the hutong. |
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Not quite as they were in the old days where the man runs and pulls the rickshaw! Still, these men must have strong legs for pedaling. |
The canopy was good as it was a hot 34 degrees and sunny. |
www.hillmanweb.com/rcn |
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From the CPO Jerry Hillman / HMCS Prince Robert Tribute Site and the Hillman photo archive |
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He's wiry and strong! These men all know their routes well, and they know how to avoid collisions... VERY important! |
who is the actual guide for this part of the tour. He rode his bicycle ahead to the starting point of the tour and was waiting there when we arrived. |
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the "good old days" type of residential life, there's no holding back on modern acquisitions that show wealth. |
that have been renovated or new ones built to traditional specifications. If the latter, we were happy to see they fit in with the originals. |
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it is still today because of the tourist trade. There are many restaurants, bars, shops. The streets are usually packed with young people who frequent the well-known night spots. |
Shi Cha Hai is in an area of three connected lakes that were surrounded by 10 temples. The name Shi Cha Hai means "ten temple lakes" |
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(Silver Ingot Bridge - because it resembles the ingot of old) is 1000 years old. It bridges the channel that connects two of the lakes: Qianhai Lake and Houhai Lake. |
would have been much more romantic in the old days without the tourists;-) |
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to keep the tourists happy, such as this three-story eatery and bar. |
Weeping willows are such a lovely part of scenery in China. |
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which was once part of the Grand Canal of the Yuan Dynasty 600 years ago. |
all mingle without mishap ;-) |
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Jump when you hear Beep Beep! or Ding Ding! The roads are narrow, definitely not made for cars, but they do try ;-) |
to the next important site;-) |
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but we are often distracted by ... everything! |
manoeuver around the crowds. |
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Yan Dai Way - "pipe alley". It is only 232 meters long. Some say it is so named because of the many smoking pipe stores. Others say it is because the street is shaped like a smoking pipe. Now, it is lined with souvenir shops. |
that connects several courtyards. |
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The doors are usually painted black, but the gov't "issued" red paint for the Olympics. At the bottom of the doorway is the threshold, about 12" - to guard against evil spirits as they cannot bend their knees! |
the gov't orders and pays for all exterior repairs while the residents pay for interior work. |
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they have many modern day conveniences. Need power, anyone? |
we visited Mrs. Wong's home. She shares this hutong with several members of her extended family. |
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Tourists can book this for a meal cooked by the homeowners. One group did that and was listening to their guide describing life in the hutong. |
Mention bedroom and his eyes grew kinda drowsy ;-) The barrels collect rain water for the plants. The homes are serviced by the city water system. |
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A TV in every room! |
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