Hutongs-postcards of Beijing Ⅰ

The narrow and interlaced hutongs in Beijing are considered by many foreign tourists as a unique trademark of the capital city. They are what remained from the ordinary life of historical Beijing. The oldest hutongs date back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) when they were the city's traffic threshold around which public life evolved. Here is a collection of photos released by CRI on the hutongs that have witnessed Beijing's rich past.

Bicycles are still the major means of transporation in hutongs.[Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]
 

A silhouette of a stretching hutong lane rimmed by orange lights of sunset.[Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]

Old hutongs still hold attraction from young people for its reminicent atmosphere. [Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]

High-rise building dwellers hardly have the luxury to sun-bake their clothes and bed covers. [Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]