The quiet definition of a city
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"The name of a hutong often gives an indication to its origin, location or history. The Mishi (rice market) Hutong, for example, implies it used to have a market where residents came to buy rice."
"Or the Liujia Hutong, which hints that a big family surnamed Liu once lived there, and that the hutong was named after the family. There are many like that."
Zhang also maintains Memory of China.org, an archive of historical material from Beijing and other Chinese cities.
Besides being historically significant, the gray-tiled deep lanes record the days when neighbors were very close, with children regularly playing in the streets, Zhang, who has lived in the Yanjia Hutong, Xuanwu district, for more than 20 years, told METRO.
Even the gossip and communal chats represent a cordial lifestyle and culture of days gone by.
"Although some hutong areas have been replaced by highrise buildings, as long as the place still carries the hutong's name, the memories will always be there," he said.
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