What is Hutong
History
A Tour of the Hutong
Hutong Culture
Courtyard Culture |
Hutong Culture
The name of a hutong implicates its origin, location or history.
It is in the gray-tiled deep lanes that families play, travel, buy
goods, gossip and connect. In Beijingers' eyes, hutongs means a
period of history, a cordial lifestyle and even an " encyclopedia
of Beijing".
When a certain name was given and prevailed among people, it exactly
became the necessary symbol for intercourses and communication.
From the names of hutongs one can discover how Beijingers, in the
course of centuries, advanced from vulgarity to refinement. In numerous
hutongs are scattered the residences of famous personages, and these
places are repositories. Laoshe, a well-known playwright is just
one of them. Laoshe was born in a small lane, in the west part of
the city. The memory of his childhood was so dear and impressive
that after he'd been away from Beijing for more than 20 years, he
still clearly remembered his birthplace, and he made it the backdrop
of his novel "the Four Generations Under One Roof". Many
famous operas and dramas are based on the themes of the " hutong
life". A visit to hutongs plus a drama by the Beijing People's
Art Theatre, such as " Teahouse" or " SmallHutong"
in the evening will help you appreciate the fundamental part of
Beijing's life. When urban construction threatens the existence
of these hutongs, some Beijingers become worried. |
