Hutong: the wonderful side-streets of Old Beijing

Jack Halpern visiting Hutongs: July 7, 2001

Beijing is now more beautiful than ever. Every time I go there I see new modern buildings, well designed and colorful. Sadly, the traditional Hutong (side streets) of Old Beijing are slowly but surely being torn down, taking with them that special flavor of the days of yore. To my delight, I found a girl there who can ride a unicycle!

The special Hutong flavor, with its special aroma, cheerful children, noise, hustle and bustle, and open-air markets. I pray these don't disappear.

This is Ma Liwu and her gradfather, living in a hutong right behind my hotel (Shoufu FanDian). As you will see in the next picture, she doesn't really need help

There she is riding on her own. She can idle and go backwards. She told me she learned to unicyle in school.

Taking a rest and drinking tea after performing in the Hutong...The door behind me is to the house where Ma Liwu lives