| Hutong Photography |
This series was created as part of a school photography trip to the Houhai Hutongs. While just a 54-minute drive from my school, Houhai Hutong showcases traditional hutong buildings from 20th-century China, set against the backdrop of a quickly modernizing city. Compared to the suburbs where I live, the Houhai hutongs are among the most distinctive representations of old Beijing life and culture. While it isn’t a perfect slice of preserved history, to me, it’s a place where one can get a glimpse of the quintessential Beijing culture. Life is more laid-back, and one can feel the hutong culture, which various Chinese authors have described as a close-knit community that is peaceful and harmonious, carrying the rich history of China. You can observe traditional pastimes, like a good game of cards, or a myriad of traditional Chinese foods, like tang hulu, smelly tofu, and zhajiang (mixed sauce) noodles.|
Through my pictures, I aimed to immerse my audience in the Hutong’s individual characteristics and charm, and in the unfiltered humanity of its residents. By doing so, I hope my audience can appreciate this often-overlooked part of Beijing, a piece of intangible culture that is slowly being urbanized without acknowledgment.
< 4 of the photos in this collection were voted as “top 12” within the photography elective division and chosen to be printed outside the High School Office>
慈爱：love; tenderness, particularily affection shown by elders to children
November 11, we are at Houhai Hutongs on a photography trip. A group of girls have spotted a subject for photography – a young, chubby girl in a pastel orange jacket – and are convincing her to pose for a picture. Soon, we spot an old lady watching her from a bench nearby – probably her grandmother. I squint into my viewfinder, watching the conversation unfold. The girls quickly approach her, explaining our photography trip and cooing over the girl :“您孙女儿真可爱啊！”; Your granddaughter is so cute! Showered with their compliments, her grandmother beams, face lined with wrinkles and overflowing with happiness. What a beautiful thing it is, to lovingly watch over your granddaughter; innocent and full of wonder – I click my shutter.
An Unpopular Photograph
Though so far no one has truly echoed this sentiment, this is one photo that I am quite fond of. Technically, it’s a very normal photo, almost bland, nothing groundbreaking or on the brink of decisiveness. Yet, whenever I see this photo, I am reminded of the Chinese idiom “夫妻相” – in English, the saying that as a relationship progresses, you and your partner tend to start to
mirror each other. Whether in appearance – the almost matching hair styles of the couple – or the comfort of clasped hands, there is a familiarity between two people that have been with each other for an unknown, but surely long time; you and your partner, the one you see yourself reflected in and understood, hair slowly greying together.
Poker Face
Neighborhoods like these typically have community areas, usually consisting of some light exercise equipment and tables for folks to settle around and play various traditional games. Besides Mahjong, many of the senior citizens are also especially good at playing variations of Chinese poker card games, like 斗地主 “Fight the landlord”. In this picture, we observe a riveting card game, as an uncle slams card after card
down in an aggressive combo. I don’t know what game they are playing, but the engrossed expressions on the spectators crowding around the table pull me into this decisive moment.
The Hutongs are a quintessential part of traditional Beijing life. Many famous authors have written about the old hutong life of the 20th century, Lin Haiying’s “Memories of Peking” 《城南旧事》， Wang Zeng Qi’s “Hutong Culture” 《胡同文化》…… It’s a complex concept intertwined with building styles, food, language, and culture. If so many acclaimed authors have attempted to convey it with their flowing language, I certainly can’t, but I do feel like this photograph has grazed the surface of this unique culture. From the cup of hot tea to a weathered, stoic face; the cluttered, old fashioned signboards and local drinks on the shelves on the right, and of course, some bright red Chinese flags. To me, this is a scene that reminds me of the bygone life in old China –not glamorous neon lights and hotpots or sleekly varnished palaces– just a Beijing-er, holding a hot mug of tea, peering out of his store in a moment of relaxation.
19 responses to “”
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赞！
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Interesting 👍🐮😬🤳
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Beautiful words and photos 666
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夫妻相英语是这么说的，学到了。“夫妻相” – in English, the saying that as a relationship progresses, you and your partner tend to start to
mirror each other. Whether in appearance – the almost matching hair styles of the couple – or the comfort of clasped hands, there is a familiarity between two people that have been with each other for an unknown, but surely long time; you and your partner, the one you see yourself reflected in and understood, hair slowly greying together. -
Well written, made me better understand Hutong’s history!
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This is amazing work. It is touching to read all the detailed descriptions. It helps us be there even though we are only looking at the photographs.
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These photos remind us that there is beauty around us but we need to stop and appreciate～
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Really nice pictures!
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I love your photos. They’re so vivid—it feels like every photo has a story to tell.
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你用镜头捕捉老北京的烟火日常，不追繁华，只收人间。一人一物，一街一巷里藏着最朴素的人情和温度。你看见的不只是画面，更是人与人之间最珍贵的联结，最真诚的相处，最善意的理解。这份细腻的慧眼，让烟火拥有力量，也让我们在光影中读懂最动人的生活，从来都是在人心与人心的相逢中。
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Having spent 15 years working in Beijing, I can relate fondly to these pictures. The faces captured in Miranda’s pictures brought back wonderful memories and more than joy but also touching sentiments. Love the hutong photos.
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读完你的文字和照片，我好像也跟着你在后海的胡同里慢悠悠地转了一圈。
最打动我的是你对人的观察，比起网络上更多只是拍下胡同景色的作品，聚焦在人和环境的交互以及人与人之间的连接的部分让你的镜头特别有温度。
特别期待你的下一组创作！ 下次再去采风，记得一定要继续更新，分享你镜头下那个有温度的世界呀~ -
Great Photos!! Captured the simple and nostalgic life of Hutong! I like the grandmother beaming photo. Very natural.
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What a nice way to paint the Hutong life of Beijing. Like all of the pictures and thought Miranda put there.
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Wonderful ways of showing living in BJ
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Beautiful insights into the Hutong daily life and culture! Keep it up 🙂
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Great views!
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Oh wow! Really Lovely captured. so raw and genuine
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I love the pictures! There’s so much warmth to them. It would be lovely if you can interview some of them. Would love to hear their personal stories.
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