Qiánmén (前门, “the front gate“), stands at the south end of Tiananmen Square. It was formerly the front gate of the Imperial City and it symbolized Beijing’s grandeur. Not surprisingly, Qiánmén is one of the most central district of Beijing. No matter what you look for, you will find it there, either in one of the busy hútòng or on Qiánmén street itself: Beijing Duck at Quanjude, shoes at Neiliansheng, silk at Ruifuxiang… these century-old establishments were purveyors to the Imperial Court and still exist today. You are in the heart of the historical Beijing.
Qiánmén is also famous for its labyrinth of ancient passageways and alleys, formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences, plentiful around historical districts: the hútòng. But since 1949, many of the old hútòng started being replaced by the high rises and wide boulevards of today’s Beijing. As the city was getting a facelift for the 2008 Olympics, many more hútòng were demolished, and people began to mourn the loss of Beijing’s cultural heritage.
Yet, many romanticize the way of life of the old hútòng. Hundreds of residents sharing one toilet, no heating system (or a pretty bad one), no private bath or shower (communal baths were still the norm in Beijing just twenty years ago!) and entire families packed under one roof, in a single room, 四世同堂(Four Generations under One Roof). Life was tough… yet a sense of community was lost when Beijing started developing.
But Qiánmén still offers a glimpse of old Beijing and there is a lot to see.
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Beautiful fabric!
That pink colour reminds me of childhood car-sick vomit after strawberry milkshake imbibement…
Gledwoods last great read…Daily Dairy Meeces’ Pieces
Wow. Plenty of photo-ops. I love the traditional paintings. In fact, my current calendar features one every month!
Linguist-in-Waitings last great read…N400 Addiction
There is so much history in countries such as India and China. While we tend to see them as New (meaning today) and Old (everything older than a generation), I guess there are many slices of history that are distinct and tell us of many years of change.
Shantanus last great read…The Foodie in Vienna – Part II
Hiya Zhu, your photography skill is so much better than mine and you captured Beijing beautifully.
By the way, did you buy the fabric? How about cheong sam? Did you tailor-made one?
Oh, I want to know how long have you stayed in Beijing before?
Thanks for sharing the old and the new. Your pics are amazing! I love the architecture…and the history.
@Spyder – I should have bought some but I really can’t make anything…
@Gledwood – NOOOO! This is now stuck in my head forever. Damn.
@Linguist-in-Waiting – I liked the contrast between the Mao’s memorabilia and the traditional things.
@Shantanu – This is very true. Especially in Beijing, which was the center of so many historical changes and events…
@shionge – Unfortunately, I have inherited a very Italian body, with breasts and a butt, so there is no way I can ever fit in a Qipao. Ever. And trust me, I tried. 😆 I leave that to thin Asian women… can’t have everything!
@Scarlet – Thank you!
Bautta Boob, Batta BING , Beijing !!!!!!!!!
Wonderful, Zhu 😉
Eric “Speedcat Hollydale”s last great read…Hollydale Chicken Catering
Nice Photos and Fabric! Silk cloth in pics are so colorful! Excellent shots!
This photos is breath taking Zhu, you’ve capture what you tell us in this post so very well. It’s an amazing country with tradition and history which also shown in the opening ceremony at the Olympics.
RennyBAs last great read…IFIP World Computer Congress 2008 in Milan
if i had to share the toilet with hundreds of people, i’d lock the door. seriously.
Seraphines last great read…Who Can Say NO to Drugs, Sex and Oil?