Whilst in Beijing we visited the Hutong and Shichahai historic scenic area. Hutong has a double meaning. Originally, a hutong is a type of narrow-alley. In Beijing, hutong alleys are formed by lines of Siheyuan, old Beijing residences, called courtyard or quad houses in English. Thus, hutong also refers to the neighbourhood formed by lines of Siheyuan houses. So Hutong was the place we experienced the old authentic Beijing culture, and the Shichahai Scenic Area is where the old Chinese culture was most featured. It is located in the west of old Beijing and used to be part of the old Grand Canal of the Yuan Dynasty 600 years ago. Willows line the river bank, like a misty green curtain. The lake shore line is packed with people chatting, drinking, shopping and generally relaxing. From here we had a rickshaw ride through the narrow alleys of the old area. We dismounted our rickshaws and walked down even narrower alleys to eventually enter a single doorway that lead into a small private courtyard. This was a typical family home of the area, where the home family entertained us, with the lady of the house playing a 400 year-old Guzheng Chinese Zither. After which we all sat inside to enjoy an excellent traditional home-style Chinese meal(and a few Chinese beers). For me, this being allowed to share an evening in the home of a Chinese family, was one of the highlights of the tour. The house itself was over 500 years old, and I felt very privileged and honoured to be one of the family’s guests.
Above: The scenic Shichahai area of old west Beijing
Above: Part of our rickshaw ride, from the lake past gardens and former ministers residences.
Above: Ivor and Barb, (my travel companion), in a rickshaw, and then in the private courtyard of the Chinese family home, where we were entertained and had a home-cooked Chinese meal.
Ivor Steven (c)Β 2018
You had a magnificent trip, Ivor. Your pictures are delightful. Lively music in the family ‘s courtyard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Helene, It was truly a trip never to be forgotten, and so pleased you’ve enjoyed the posts of my trip. I did enjoy presenting all the photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fascinating trip by all accounts Ivor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing pictures, I haven’t ever been to Beijing but I love traveling thanks for this!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading my post and commenting. I am I’d like to thank you for following my blog/website, muchly appreciated, I hope you enjoy reading my humble writings and I’m from Geelong, Australia. Cheers. Ivor π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Australia!!! Wow, cool! I did enjoy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The trip to China was my first international flight out of Australia, so at 67 years old, it was quite an adventure for me
LikeLike
I find the music so haunting. It looks a very difficult instrument to master!
Great photos again Ivor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, !! surprisingly most of my photos turned out OK.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ivor thank you for taking us along. Being able to step foot into that home that has seen life through out centuries…gives me chills.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I felt quite an aura of ancient times while I was soaking up the surroundings, and I didn’t take any pictures of inside the house, it just didn’t seem right amongst so many lives and memories that were present in the walls of the old home.
LikeLike
I can understand that. I think I would have wanted the walls to absorb part of me into it’s history. And 500 years from now, when another sits there….and wonders about the lives that have passed through it’s walls….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic photos Ivor!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a fantastic place. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful, Ivor! And thank you for taking us with you via photos and teaching us about what you saw and learned!
Getting to spend time in that home and have a home cooked meal…what an honor and such precious memories made! π
HUGS!!! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Carolyn, it was such a gorgeous evening, and hopefully my photos and little stories convey how wonderful my trip was. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely journey, Ivor. I like your post very much; the combination of all, the text with the beautiful photos and the video with the Chinese music.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Marta, I’ve struggled to do these posts about my trip, I’m a bit of a wreck at the moment, the adrenaline from the trip has worn off and I’m super tired, physically and mentally. 8.00pm here and I’m going to bed already…….. zzzzzzzzzz
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a good rest, then. ππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
I shall ((hugs))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another fine record. Ivor
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Derrick, I appreciate that you like my photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Iβm enjoying traveling through China your post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I happy to have you aboard βΊοΈπ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ivor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
first hand taste of a local culture is always so meaningful – glad you got some of that experience, i am sure they enjoyed your warm company too
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I was simply sitting there, awe-struck π
LikeLiked by 1 person
like i was when i watched the cirque du soleil in vegas…awestruck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I certainly imagine so. π
LikeLiked by 1 person