Hutongs of Beijing

Author: Weng Li, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Beijing is not only a famous historical and cultural city in China but also one of the magnificent cultural wonders in the history of world civilization. Needless to say the world-renowned Tiananmen, the splendid Forbidden City, and the magnificent Great Wall, even the seemingly ordinary small hutongs hold great knowledge! The formation of Beijing hutongs has evolved along with the development and transformation of the city. Around 500,000 years ago, primitive humans began to inhabit this area, but at that time, they only lived in natural caves. By 10,000 to 4,500 years ago, primitive clan communities emerged, and simple houses started to be built. This book introduces Beijing hutongs, starting from the essence of hutongs, hutongs named after famous figures, hutongs named after market goods, hutongs named after architectural styles, and hutongs named after geographical features and scenic spots.