Last glimpse of a vanishing Beijing – A walk through soon-to-be-demolished hutong

The hutong’s remaining residents go on with their daily routine despite the rumbling of bulldozers nearby. Elderly men play Chinese chess, mahjong or cards out on the lanes. The street barbershop remains open, charging 3 yuan for a haircut – the cheapest in town. Some men play with their pet birds and are only pleased to chat with visitors who pause to ask questions.

Beyond Daji’s walls are commercial areas that are fast closing in. The demolition project, which began in 2003, is gobbling up the remaining buildings, and another part of old Beijing vanishes before your eyes.