Hu Tong

Sandwiched in between two rows of courtyard compounds , large or small , is an alley, or Hutong as it is known to Chinese residents. Both ends of the hutong are connected with busy streets. Look at an old map  you will find the entire city cut into neat blocks by webs of hutongs , each block being a residential area. Datong is rapidly modernizing and many old courtyard compounds are gone along with numerous hutongs that have been widened. The centuries - old hutong culture cries for preservation. Let's hope for the best.