Hutongs

At one time most of Beijing was made up of Hutongs they are very narrow lanes that would wind through out the city and is were most of the people lived. This pictures is one of the homes that we were able to go through. The family was at the Olympics and allowed us to visit their home this was considered a wealthy family by China standards. Their homes are made up of four separate areas one for the mother and father that is the building directly behind us. and to the right is the kitchen and one of the daughters bedrooms and in front of us is a servant area. It is a beautiful home. The home next door is very poor the area is very mixed. There are very few Hutongs left in Beijing they are being destroyed to make room for the massive progress going on here. The people are not upset about loosing their homes and being moved by the government because their life is improved.