Hutongs

Hutong is a word of mongolian origin, which is now used to describe the small lanes or alleys of traditional Old Beijing residential areas. Dating from the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) this form of housing was used for centuries in many chinese cities, but is now mostly associated with Beijing. Siheyuan or courtyard houses, laid out in a square with single storey buildings on four sides surrounding a small central courtyard, are separated by these narrow alleys, and these neighbourhoods are collectively known as hutongs. These historic communities are sadly fast disappearing due to the city's rapid development, although some districts have been declared conservation areas, and the local culture (and the Ming and Qing dynasty buildings) still remain preserved to this day. There are many different types of hutong, ranging from the very poor, made with any available materials and occupied by many people, to the very rich, where the owner occupies all four sides of their own courtyard, and has spent time and money restoring the house to its former glory. Those more centrally located were usually the homes of imperial officials and merchants, and some are very beautifully decorated, with carved and painted beams and pillars, and grand entryways. In other areas, such as nanluoguxiang,  hutongs become fashionable streets filled with unusual boutiques, cafes and bars, making the most of the unique historical atmosphere.

The more traditional hutongs are a great place to get a feel for the real Beijing community. Here the pace of life slows down and older residents spend their days doing Tai Chi, singing Peking opera, or just watching the world go by from their doorways. Too narrow for cars, most of the alleys are negotiated by the age old tricycles and even the odd horse or pony. These areas are still full of old folk crafts and customs, and many specialised workshops and studios are still found in the hutong neighbourhoods. As Beijing continues to expand and develop, the hutong areas are quickly being demolished to make way for more space-efficient modern housing, so make sure you explore these wonderful old communities while you still can!