Hutongs are narrow streets or alleys, most commonly associated with Beijing, China. Hutongs were formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences. Many hutongs were formed by joining one courtyard to another and then joining one hutong to another. The word hutong is also used to refer to such combinations of neighborhoods.
The number of hutongs has decreased rapidly recently because of the expansion of new roads and buildings in Beijing. Recently many hutongs have become protected as national landmarks to protect and preserve them.
“‘Real people’ transition in China’s old hutongs,” USA Today, August 14, 2008
Sights and Sounds of Beijing From USA Today - Scroll down the slides to find an interesting feature on Hutongs entitled “Progress threatens traditional Chinese lifestyle.
Zaijian,
Mr. Crawford