Part 1

Sadly, other than the hutongs that have been preserved for tours, many of them are being torn down in the name of modernization. There are pros and cons to Beijing having the Olympics in 2008. I like to think that having the Olympics there will open the country to more scrutiny from outsiders and that perhaps some of their human rights issues will improve. One of the huge cons in my mind, however, is that the hutongs and siheyuans or courtyards that comprise the hutongs are being torn down and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.

I'd like to think that these same buildings in the United States would be considered historic and consequently preserved. Maybe, maybe not. All I know is that much of what fascinates tourists about China is the ancient architecture and lifestyle related to many of the dynasties. This amazing history is being ripped up and demolished to make way for modern apartment buildings.

Sean Gallagher, a British photographer, took some amazing photos that sadly show the demolition of hutongs. He wrote an article titled "Beijing’s urban makeover: the ‘hutong’ destruction" that you can read here.

In his article he states:

The true impact of these events may only be fully seen after 2008, when the construction dust has settled slightly over a post-Olympics Beijing. What is clear now is that a fundamental way of life that has existed for hundreds of years is being destroyed. It is a bittersweet irony that the very 'Chinese flavour' the Communist Party want to project to the outside world in 2008 and beyond, is swiftly disappearing.

He has a slideshow on the site that truly catches the sadness and dismay many feel about the disappearance of the hutongs.

continued...