Beijing's Disappearing Hutongs and Hutong Way of Life--The Alleys

Beijing's Disappearing Hutongs and Hutong Way of Life--The Alleys.

Hutong means alley. This is a Hutong which is more a crack in our experience. In fact to be labelled a Hutong meant that a way could not exceed a certain breadth. This is where the average people of Beijing lived for centuries. In preparation for Olympics these ancient neighborhoods are being razed. Public Occurrences travelled to Beijing in June of this year. The Hutongs and Hutong way of life so enchanted us that we missed some...other Chinese sites, like the ahh, Great Wall, and Tienanmen Square in it's nightime glory until our last day.

We were enchanted, and urged to ignore other sites because the Hutongs were literally disappearing before our, and the world's, eyes. Hutongs that we visited on our first day or two had been razed when we went back at the end of the trip. For several years the world has taken notice and numerous groups have implored the politically totalitarian Chinese government to stop. Of course, they have refused. The Hutongs have not just enchanted tourists. Some lifelong residents have protested by taking their lives, one immolating himself at the gates of the Forbidden City.

The Hutong residences were arranged around the traditional Chinese quadrangle residential plan. Some of the quadrangles belonged to the wealthy and were larger. Others were of more modest size.

The Hutongs were arranged around the center of old Beijing, literally right next to the Forbidden City and fanning out from there so they are off some of the largest streets and most opulent neighborhoods which makes entering the Hutongs more enchanting because of the contrast.