Not a lot to say right now, except our October family trip to China was filled with lots of insights about urban living. Perhaps the.... Not a lot to say right now, except our October family trip to China was filled with lots of insights about urban living.

Perhaps the most interesting was learning about Hutongs--a traditional form of communal life in Beijing.
The Hutongs are rapidly disappearing to make way for high-rise apartment buildings.

Yet, there are some in China who are intent on preserving some of these and this very happy, community-based way of life.

Essentially, Hutongs are homes built inside quadrangles, sharing common outside walls, and a common courtyard. The closest Western equivalent I could think of was co-housing.

Our local guide in Beijing remembers fondly his childhood in a Hutong, and contrasts that with the relative anonymity he experiences as an adult in a high-rise.

At any rate, to learn more about our trip, go to this link on my website:

www.unconventionalideas.com/china.html

Also, I'd be happy to answer by email, any questions you may have about our trip or Hutongs.