Walking Down the “Hutongs” of Ancient China

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<h1>Walking Down the “Hutongs” of Ancient China</h1><strong> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_tiajones.aspx'>tiajones</a></strong><br /><p>“There are 360 large hutongs in the capital city of China and as many small hutongs as there are hairs on an ox" is a popular saying among the old local residents of Beijing. Hutongs are ancient city alleys or lanes in Beijing that were established during Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. During China’s dynastic period, emperors planned the city of Beijing and arranged the residential areas according to the social classes defined by the Zhou Dynasty. The capital was divided into the eastern, western, northern, southern and central districts by establishing hutongs. In ancient China, hutongs were formed by building four houses around a quadrangular courtyard. Hutongs were actually the passageways that were formed by many enclosed quadrangles. The quadrangles varied in size and design according to the social status of the residents. The big quadrangles belonged to the high- ranking officials and wealthy merchants. Their houses were specially built with roof beams and pillars beautifully carved and painted, each with a front yard and back yard. The quadrangles that belonged to the ordinary class were comparatively simple. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, the classic arrangement of hutongs was affected as the capital experienced change of dynasties, reflecting the collapse of the feudal system and the instability of the Chinese society as an effect of frequent civil wars and repeated foreign invasions. Several hutongs were demolished, leaving only 4,550 which have survived till date and provide a glimpse of the ancient China in this modern city. Hutongs serve as a popular tourist attraction in China tours. If you want to experience the traditional Chinese infrastructure and courtyard homes that identified the ancient China and the way they have blended in the urban China making their presence noticeable, take the popular cycle rickshaw ride during your Beijing tour. The black pedicabs with red canopies will take you through the fascinating old alleys that form a significant part of China’s civilization even today! </p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br />For more information please refer to: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.asiaimpressions.com/china-tours/">China tours</a>; <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.asiaimpressions.com/">www.asiaimpressions.com</a><p> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Walking-Down-the-“Hutongs”-of-Ancient-China_25724.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Walking Down the “Hutongs” of Ancient China_25724.aspx</a></p>

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Keywords : China tours, Hutong,

Category : Travel and Leisure : Outdoors