Flow Year 2: The Vanishing Hutong

Author: Qiu Yang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: The changes in Beijing have indeed exceeded people's imagination. In just a few months or even days, coordinates on the map could vanish, turning into dust on construction sites. This ancient city has seen an increasing number of new things, obscuring its original appearance. The feeling of hutongs, siheyuan, and narrow alleys of ordinary households seemed like yesterday, yet many memories of revisiting the past have lost their tangible reality.
Half a year has passed since the publication of the first issue of the "Flow of Time" thematic series, "Ancient City, Unforgettable Memorial." Our editorial has been well-received by many readers who love Beijing. However, as this was our first attempt at such a topic, there were bound to be omissions and regrets. The second issue of "Flow of Time," titled "Imperial Capital, Fading Ancient Charm," serves as a supplement and refinement to the first. We strive to tell and the fragments of this millennium-old city through more vivid topics.
Facing the large-scale demolition and construction of the city, we hope to record the views within our reach today—even if they are mere fragments of physical remnants or the vanishing local customs carried by the environment. In the first issue, we featured an article with photos of Zhuita Hutong from over a year ago. At that time, the western entrance of Zhuita Hutong had just begun to be demolished, with ruins scattered everywhere. A few days ago, upon revisiting Zhuita Hutong, I discovered that the western half of the hutong had completely disappeared, with demolition extending from the western entrance, Renren Hutong, all the way to Lu Xun's former residence. Fortunately, Lu Xun's former residence has not yet been demolished, but Zhang Henshu's former residence to its west has been lost forever.
Zhuita Hutong and nearby Fengsheng Hutong, Wuding Hutong, and others are among Beijing's oldest hutongs. Zhuita Hutong itself dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, having accompanied the city's urban journey. However, this area is now fragmented, with many exquisite grand mansions demolished and only isolated concrete structures remaining, devoid of historical roots. History, after all, cannot be repeated.
Today, authentic elements in Beijing are becoming increasingly scarce. Walking down the streets, whether towering buildings or wide avenues, all seem familiar. Uniformity has become the city's mainstream, crude designs replacing cultural continuity, and the warm, simple beauty now can only be found in old photographs. In recent years, Beijing has lost too much of its tradition—hutongs have been demolished one after another, and fake antiques have been built in their place. Su'anbo is gone, the Flower Market is gone, Nanxiaojie is gone, and Meishijie is gone. The rough Yongding Gate has been rebuilt, and an awkward Zhengyang Bridge archway has been erected.
Recently, there were reports that the former residence of Cao Xueqin, which was demolished years ago for the construction of the Liangmao Road, would be rebuilt. Back then, many appeals were made, yet no authentic relic was preserved. Now, however, people are spending public funds to build a fake antique—a clear case of right versus wrong. In these demolitions and constructions, Beijing's culture is gradually blurring, to the point where I sometimes wonder, walking down a wide street, "Is this Beijing?" Beijing should not be just about imperial grandeur; it should be more about the spirit of the common people, a tapestry of ordinary folk's stories and legends.
The "Flow of Time" aims to as closely as possible restore history to the people, using a series of vivid articles to and touch upon Beijing.
The words about the ancient city of Beijing in this issue come to a temporary close. Starting with the next issue, we will explore new topics. We hope our words can leave behind some tangible records and lasting memories for this city. "Flow of Time" will always bear a responsibility—to bring the people the greatest possible truth.