Although I grew up in old
Beijing, and embraced its rich
traditions, I did not fully
recognize its complex history,
culture and art as a young
child. And later, my busy life
took me to places outside of
the magnificent and exquisite
architecture of the ancient
capital city.

With today¡¯s massive
political and economic
changes, the ever-increasing
pace of urbanization, and the
recent overhaul of the city in
preparation for the 2008
Olympic Games, the old city
gates, old city walls,
hutongs, and residential
courtyards that bear so much
historical, cultural, artistic
values are vanishing from our
sight. Only then had I
realized what our nation is
losing¡­the spirit of a place
and the soul of its people.

The grandiose and highly
ordered layout of imperial
Beijing and the vernacular
fabric of a city built upon a
thousand years of history are
wonders of human culture. The
hutongs of Beijing (networks
of small alleyways that lead
to courtyard houses) give
witness to the city¡¯s
evolution, and are like a
living museum that holds the
clues to an enduring way of
life.

Beijing quadrangle courtyards
are the most ...

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