The Hutong

After the Forbidden Temple, we took a tour of a Hutong, a preserved old-style Biejing neighborhood. Most such neighborhoods have been replaced in the tangible, relentless modernization of Beijing.



Here’s an old-style entranceway to a government officials house, his garage, and an action shot from our rickshaw. The tour felt a little hokey and contrived, with the Chinese government supplying us with a mandatory tour guide to expand on the cultural significance of the place. However, the home visit included on the tour made the entire experience.





The youngest of six, the owner’s family was kicked out of their home during the Glorious Revolution, as her father (still alive at 96!) was a high-ranking government official. When they returned years later, they were able to secure a spot for their family in their old home, though they shared the space with more than 50 other people! When the opportunity arose as the Communist grip slacked, her family was able to pool their resources and buy back their home, though in far different condition than they left it. Now, they are slowly trying to return it to original condition, and offering tours to support that effort. Pictured are the owner, her father, the main courtyard and the kitchen.





After the tour, we stopped in for lunch at a well-known Muslim Chinese restaurant, right off a canal in a busy strip of restaurants, bars and shops. We were served unremarkable Chinese food, and didn’t take pictures. This was a function of not knowing what to order and having a guide who wasn’t too helpful. Luckily, between the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an and our time in Urumqui and Kashgar, we are going to put away more Muslim Chinese food than anyone we know.