Beijing - Hutongs at Shichahai

After lunch, we headed to the Shichahai area, which is the old part of Beijing, to visit a century(ies) old courtyard and to learn about its history, layout, Fengshui and the traditional Chinese culture involved with living there.  A part of the visit included a rickshaw ride through this area to see the narrow alleys (or hutongs).

A courtyard.  Originally, one family lived in each courtyard.  After the cultural revolution, many families moved into the courtyard, including building additional structures.  You can see the individual electrical boxes on the top of the large door opening.

 We were able to visit a home within this area.  Small, open room concept, with only "fake" walls partitioning off the rooms.  Now, only 2 older people live in this house.  Oh, and no bathroom.  Public washrooms for this area of Beijing.

She paints bottles, the inside of bottles.  Not as easy as it looks (and it actually doesn't look that easy).

The kitchen.  Not your modern American kind.