The Alleyways in Beijing - My Favorite Part of the City

'Hutong' is Chinese for 'alleyway.' Hutongs are only found in Beijing, and the city is know throughout China for them. They are were the people of Beijing have always lived, but they have been under attack for years as developers have pointed out that the only way to fit more people into the city is to build up. The biggest push for their destruction came in the lead up to the 2008 Olympics, but hutongs all over Beijing remain at risk as Chinese become more affluent and see these areas as a symbol of old China.

These are probably my favorite place to go in Beijing. The food is better than the more expensive restaurants, and costs about $1.50 for a meal. It's where you can still find kids playing, old men sitting on stools conversing, and buy a half liter of Tsing Tao beer for a dollar or less - and then drink it in public. I love it there, and hope they don't all disappear... and that they don't all turn into upscale, refurbished versions of themselves like the one shown in this video.

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Travel & Events

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