Beijing's 'Hutong' Homes, Used To Be Grand a Century Back, Now Maze-Like, Cramped, Have Lost Appeal to Affluent Residents

Courtyard houses, or hutong, in Beijing are popular among the city poor because of the low rent compared to modern apartments. The streets run abuzz with vendors of all kinds. The historical houses and these people form a scene that is bound to remain in the future because the city government pushes for the preservation of these traditional Chinese houses.