Hutongs and Summer Palace 胡同， 颐和园
Some of these photos are rather uneventful, so for the sake of vibrancy and my fondness for romance, here is a happy young gentleman followed by an affectionate couple in the background.
Awww.
These photos were taken while wandering the historic Hutong area of Beijing. Hutongs 胡同were originally residential 'compounds'. Traditionally, most members of the extended family lived together. They are unique because of the architecture and small roads and alleys.
The vast majority of Beijing hutongs have been replaced by ugly, soviet-style highrises, so much of the remaining sections have been labeled 'historic' and consequently turned into a commercial tourist trap. Look hard enough, however, and you can find very pleasant, isolated walkways.
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the smog of Beijing.
I spent an afternoon wandering around the Summer Palace 颐和园 of previous emperors. It was really a great place but the smog was awful.
Nice sunsets, though.
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