The lanes have their own layout and structure, and when viewed from the air the combination of the lanes and courtyards resemble a chessboard with delicate gardens, fine rockeries and ancient ruins this makes them a wonder in the world.
Because of the cross interlacement of the lanes every houses connected to the other, making it easy for local people to keep in touch with their neighbors. Therefore, once one enters any of the lanes, one can feel the deep and warm relationships among people, which is rarely found in this modern world.
In the twisted lanes one can experience the life of the ancient Beijing people. The bathrooms and public toilets can be found in these lanes. Shops sell all kinds of goods that satisfy the local people’s daily needs. It is just like a community. Gossiping in these lanes is a common scene as it is the main way for people to strengthen their relationship. These lanes have witnessed the development of Beijing. Where there is such a lane, there is a story..."
- taken from a website on China.
After a really good and light vegetarian lunch (perhaps one of the best vegetarian lunches I have ever had) we made our way to visit a Hutong.
It was at the start of our trip to one of this Hutongs that we were scolded by a guard at a hospital. While we made a bee-line for the hospital toilets, the security guard stepped forward to scold us and asked us to enter the toilets 2 by 2.
The reason why we had to use the hospital toilet was because the tour guide told us that the toilets at the Hutong have no doors. Further they were squat toilets thus making it tough for those of us with weak knees.
Anyway our tour leader calmed down the Chinese guide. It was our first experienced with a "rude" Chinese person although at most of our shopping trips the sales people were friendly and helpful.
The first thing we saw at this Hutong which we visited were rows and rows of red rickshaws. Rickshaw pullers dressed in white uniform of the same design sat around talking while waiting for passengers.
There could be a hundred or more of them. Anyway we boarded the rickshaw at 2 per rickshaw.
It was amazing to see our rickshaw rider pitting all his strength in cycling the rickshaw we boarded to take us on a trip around the Hutong.
Surely these men worked really hard for a living and for that I asked the Lord to bless him and give him even more customers!
The rickshaw contingent stopped in front of a courtyard home. We went in to have a look.
Although I could not understand the explanation in Mandarin, I knew that this was the home of a family who actually lived there. The rooms were built around a square. There were bedrooms for the just married, the single son or daughter for the family, the elderly folks and a library cum art studio.
Antique furniture decorated the rooms. Perhaps the only thing modern about the home was the kitchen!
We asked the young man who gave us a tour of the rooms and he told us that this is his home.
Wondering around the Hutong we realized that this is a community or neighborhood of old Beijing preserved for tourists and a remembrance of the heritage of China.
Narrow alleyways and low houses dotted the streets. The homes were inhabited but with modern amenities like air-cons. The architecture of the houses reflected China in the olden days.
The houses had the look and feel of houses in ancient China.
There was also an area in the Hutong of bars and small open stalls.
- taken from a website on China.
After a really good and light vegetarian lunch (perhaps one of the best vegetarian lunches I have ever had) we made our way to visit a Hutong.
It was at the start of our trip to one of this Hutongs that we were scolded by a guard at a hospital. While we made a bee-line for the hospital toilets, the security guard stepped forward to scold us and asked us to enter the toilets 2 by 2.
The reason why we had to use the hospital toilet was because the tour guide told us that the toilets at the Hutong have no doors. Further they were squat toilets thus making it tough for those of us with weak knees.
Anyway our tour leader calmed down the Chinese guide. It was our first experienced with a "rude" Chinese person although at most of our shopping trips the sales people were friendly and helpful.
The first thing we saw at this Hutong which we visited were rows and rows of red rickshaws. Rickshaw pullers dressed in white uniform of the same design sat around talking while waiting for passengers.
There could be a hundred or more of them. Anyway we boarded the rickshaw at 2 per rickshaw.
It was amazing to see our rickshaw rider pitting all his strength in cycling the rickshaw we boarded to take us on a trip around the Hutong.
Surely these men worked really hard for a living and for that I asked the Lord to bless him and give him even more customers!
The rickshaw contingent stopped in front of a courtyard home. We went in to have a look.
Although I could not understand the explanation in Mandarin, I knew that this was the home of a family who actually lived there. The rooms were built around a square. There were bedrooms for the just married, the single son or daughter for the family, the elderly folks and a library cum art studio.
Antique furniture decorated the rooms. Perhaps the only thing modern about the home was the kitchen!
We asked the young man who gave us a tour of the rooms and he told us that this is his home.
Wondering around the Hutong we realized that this is a community or neighborhood of old Beijing preserved for tourists and a remembrance of the heritage of China.
Narrow alleyways and low houses dotted the streets. The homes were inhabited but with modern amenities like air-cons. The architecture of the houses reflected China in the olden days.
The houses had the look and feel of houses in ancient China.
There was also an area in the Hutong of bars and small open stalls.
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