Hutongs

Visiting the Hutongs helps you to understand how Beijing really is a city in change. We have seen historic buildings, new buildings, skyscrapers, and modern shopping centers. Hutongs are how the “old Beijing” lives. Hutong stands for alley. Hutong is the result of lots of houses being connected such that alleys are all that is left. Quite a few people still live packed in Hutongs. If you live in a Hutong, you probably do not have a bathroom and must use the public toilets. Now we understand why there are so many signs for the public toilets.

We were fortunate enough to walk through several Hutongs and actually go inside two houses and meet the families. Once again, Connor was the center of attention.

There is a protocol to entering the houses along the Hutongs. Each doorway has a high threshold. This is done to keep out evil sprits. Men must enter left foot first. Women must enter right foot first. You must step completely over the threshold. Stepping on the threshold is an insult. Stepping on the threshold is as if you were stepping on the owners head.