beijing // hutong wandering // 1

Most of my time in Beijing I spent wandering around in the many hutongs that still can be found in the city. Hutongs are the traditional residential areas of a Chinese city and Beijing is famous for them!  Many have them have been destroyed, one can only hope the Chinese government finally realizes the potential of those areas - too many have been flattened for new, sparkling high-rises.

Hutongs are characterized by their narrow lanes and zick-zack streets in which you easily can get lost. The true magic of the hutongs however, lies within the numerous courtyards - entering through a small doorway, you find a haven of tranquillity and peace in this hectic city. Many courtyards (especially in the well-known and touristy hutongs) have been transformed to boutique hotels, restaurants or cafés. Others are still used for living by their longtime residents.




I walked for hours, snapped my heart away with my camera, drank tea, ate fabulous chinese food and was greeted by old Chinese ladies with a friendly "ni hao"... Loved it! Days like this is what travel in all about! For me at least :)