Flowing Years: Nostalgia for Our Fading Time NO.2 Imperial City, Ancient Charm on the Verge of Disappearance

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 is filled with so many new things that they have obscured its original face. 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 "Flowing Years" series titled "The Ancient City, An 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 "Flowing Years," titled "The Imperial Capital, The Vanishing 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 what is within our sight today—even the fragments of physical remnants or the vanishing local customs carried by the environment. In the first issue, we included an article with photos of Zhuan Hutong from over a year ago. At that time, the western entrance of Zhuan Hutong had just begun to be demolished, with ruins scattered everywhere. Recently, upon revisiting Zhuan, we found that the western half of the hutong had completely disappeared, with demolition extending from the western entrance, Ren'en Hutong, all the way to Lu Xun's former residence. Fortunately, Lu Xun's former residence was spared for now, but Zhang Henshu's former residence on the west side has been lost forever.
Zhuan Hutong and nearby Fengsheng Hutong, Wuding Hutong, and others are among Beijing's oldest hutongs. Zhuan 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. The few that remain are isolated islands of concrete and steel, devoid of historical context. After all, history cannot be repeated.
Today, authentic elements in Beijing are becoming increasingly rare. Walking down the streets, whether towering buildings or wide avenues, all seem familiar. Uniformity has become the city's norm, crude designs replacing cultural continuity, and the warm, simple beauty 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, Nan Xiaojie 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 Liangmaqiao-Wudaokou Avenue, would be rebuilt. Back then, many appeals were made, but no real cultural relic was preserved. Now, however, the government plans to spend public funds to build a fake antique—a clear case of misplaced priorities. In this process of demolition and construction, Beijing's culture is gradually becoming blurred, to the point where I sometimes wonder, as I walk down a wide street, "Is this really Beijing?"
Beijing should not be just about imperial grandeur; it should have more of a local, folk character, filled with the stories and legends of ordinary people. The "Flowing Years" aims to bring history as close to the people as possible, using a series of engaging articles to and touch upon Beijing.
The words about the ancient city of Beijing in this issue come to a temporary end. Starting with the next issue, we will explore new topics. We hope our words can leave a tangible record and a memorable legacy for this city. "Flowing Years" will always bear a responsibility—to bring the people the greatest possible truth.