In the many studies I have had the opportunity to conduct in China, I have had the chance to visit users in a number of areas of life. When I was last in Beijing, however, I took advantage of a ride by bicycle rickshaw through the hutongs. Hutong are neighborhoods of lanes or alleys lined with by traditional courtyard compounds. Many have been demolished but recently there has been a move to preserve these fascinating areas and their unique history. As used to be the case throughout China, the primary mode of transport in hutongs is bicycle. I did not have a chance to speak to people, unfortunately, both due my linguistic challenges and due to the constraints of the tour, so these photos are a simply tantalizing glimpse of these fascinating areas.
