The charm of old Beijing

Author: Chang Renchun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-04-01
Features: This collection is a selection of short, factual prose essays by Chang Renchun, a folklorist and literary historian, focusing on the customs and culture of old Beijing. The book is divided into six parts: Place Names, Temples, Trades, Food, Folk Customs, and Entertainment, with a total of over 240 articles. It is an engaging and highly readable local culture read about old Beijing, offering both entertainment, knowledge, and valuable reference material. The essays, written in elegant prose and diverse styles, document the anecdotes, historical records, ancient architecture, traditional trades, local cuisine, seasonal festivals, religious beliefs, cultural entertainment, and folk arts of Beijing from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republican era. The content is rich and the information is well-documented.