Another Sight of Beijing

Every time when I hear the name “Beijing”, the first series of things shown in my mind is the grand buildings like the Palace Museum, the Water Cube, the TV Tower or others also luxurious shopping mall. Maybe in most Chinese’s eyes, Beijing is a city which is the symbol of holy capital, glaring city, maybe imaginary place, so lots of people do all they can to gain a foothold in that big city. All the thoughts above filled my minds for a long time, but after the whole day hanging around the real inside city, like a mice wondering among the charming Hutong. I think I touch another sight of Beijing by chance.

At the day beginning, I crowded with the wage earners in bus head to the Gulou Street. Then I walk along the East Gulou Street and drop in at the Drum Tower. Which may be the first glance of a new Beijing, to my surprise, in the square between the Drum Tower and Bell Tower, residents who live close to there do exercise. Although I’m a little confused about they stay casual with inherent, I feel naturally. In that quarters there’re some places of historic interest and viewpoints, therefore visitors flour in, many retailers locate on each side of the road, and of course souvenirs for visitors are seen everywhere. I was tired of the noise of the scenic spot and the continuing pushing of the crowds, so I escape to an aisle named HouHai Passageway. And I surprisely find another quiet and totally different world. It’s a very narrow but short aisle and it can connect with other Hutong and residences. After I pass through this passageway, I arrive at a neighborhood, and during my wandering, I notice the native Beijingers enjoy their lives in a peaceful and also the same way as people in other provinces. I see an old man sitting on a rattan char under the beautiful sunshine, with his historic yard behind him. I notice the most traditional small shops hidden among the residences. A kind grandma was going back home with her after-school grandson, hand in hand, and bought him a stick of sugar-coated haws. A sweet couple was walking with their lovely, white dog that ran towards me and put its paw on me which make me a little frightened. Totally, all I find from here is peace, kindness and happiness. Residents live a life as normal as other Chinese but have their own northern style, separated from the outside thriving but unreal world.

I think that is the real side of this city. Getting off the clothes f international big capital and ancient city, only a place inherited from their ancient and a warm ground to live.