Beijing's ancient alleyways, known as hutongs, have been integral to the city's identity for over seven centuries, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty. However, these historical urban arteries are rapidly vanishing, a trend accelerating dramatically since the 1990s. Data indicates that Beijing once boasted over 3,200 hutongs in the early post-liberation era, a number that dwindled to approximately 2,200 by 1990. In the decades that followed, thousands more have been lost, with experts estimating a disappearance rate of around 50 hutongs per year, equating to roughly one per week. Veteran photojournalist Jiang Chenming, captivated by Beijing's hutongs, embarked on a decade-long photographic journey starting in 2004, meticulously documenting their demise. His work captures the poignant transformation of neighborhoods like Xiaochangkou, where hutongs dating back to the Ming Dynasty faced demolition for land reserves, leading to partial destruction and leaving behind a landscape of half-razed structures. Similarly, Bao'ansi Street, despite its historical significance with five guild halls, including the renowned Xiangtan Guild Hall, saw extensive demolition primarily in 2012, making way for towering commercial and residential complexes.
The transformation of these humble hutong residences into high-priced commercial properties has altered the social fabric of these areas. For instance, new developments on former hutong sites now command exorbitant prices, often ranging from 70,000 to 80,000 yuan per square meter, with premium units exceeding 100,000 yuan. Beyond the physical structures, the demolition of hutongs signifies a profound loss of cultural value and community spirit. Jiang Chenming's lens often captures not just the architectural changes but also the daily lives of residents, illustrating the unique sense of community and tranquility these spaces offered. He recalls a particular moment in 2007 at No. 4 Beidaji Lane, where the sight of children playing evoked a sense of nostalgic warmth and highlighted the simple, authentic lifestyle cherished by hutong inhabitants. Yet, by 2012, this entire lane had been reduced to rubble, leaving only fragmented remnants and forcing residents to disperse. Similarly, in Baotouzhang Hutong, images from 2007 depict elderly residents serenely reading newspapers outside their dilapidated homes, embodying a peaceful way of life now lost to progress.
The ongoing transformation of Beijing's urban landscape, while driven by development and modernization, compels us to reflect on the balance between progress and preservation. The loss of hutongs represents not just the erasure of old buildings but the disintegration of a unique cultural legacy and a cherished way of life. It serves as a powerful reminder that true progress encompasses not only economic growth but also the safeguarding of historical memory, community bonds, and the intangible spirit of a place. By consciously valuing and protecting these irreplaceable elements, we ensure that urban evolution enriches, rather than diminishes, the human experience, fostering a more harmonious and meaningful future for all.