The picturesque scenes of Beijing's aged hutongs, or back lanes, are vanishing seemingly overnight, replaced by high-rises and broad avenues. Before the memories of them also disappear, the Beijing Chorography Committee is compiling maps and descriptions of the old residential areas.

According to the Beijing Yearbook 2003, some 66 hutongs -- the narrow residential lanes that have been integral to Beijing life for centuries -- vanished during 2002 alone. Places with names like Biandan Hutong (Shoulder Pole Lane) and Kusi Hutong (Bursary Lane) now exist only in the memories of elderly Beijingers.

For many, Beijing is as inseparably linked with its hutongs as it is with the Forbidden City or the Temple of Heaven. A vital component of the culture and life even of modern Beijingers, they are also a part of the capital's historical heritage.

To preserve hutong history and culture, the Beijing Chorography Committee (BCC) asked 18 Beijing districts and counties to contribute data, records, pictures and memories to assist in mapping and describing the city's hutongs. Central Xicheng District held the largest number of the old neighborhoods.

Sources indicate that the BCC completed the data collection phase of its project last September and it is now compiling histories and stories of life in the hutong. The committee hopes eventually to publish the work.

(China.org.cn by Wang Ruyue February 23, 2004)