Shikumen

Shikumen (shanghai row houses) opposite our apartment

In the late 18 and early 1900's 80% of Shanghai's population lived in Shikumen.   

They combined European and Asian design elements.  Large stone gates provided access to narrow lanes called Longtangs and the entrances to the residences.  There is a Longtang entry in the photo above just to the right of the green and orange sign. 

Small businesses, like this motorcycle repair shop, are located on the street level below the residences.

This may not seem clean to a western eye but it is well swept, orderly and the residents take pride in their living areas.

The chalkboards above the bike parking in this Longtang advocate respect for others, cleanliness and civic pride.

Today, most of the Shikumen have been replaced by apartment buildings.  Some of the remaining buildings have been gentrified and become high end shopping districts.  Others, like the noodle shops above, are eking out their last hours.  

It's ironic that the clients above are mostly construction workers who are tearing down the adjacent Shikumen.

 

Beijing

The Forbidden City in Beijing was only opened to the public in 1965.  It was built for Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties (24 of them)…. all 180 acres of it!

The details on the building roofs indicate the importance of the building.. per our professional guides: Jex and Kida

These dragons were ornate coverings for water drainage spouts from higher level decks.

Copper embossed trimwork below windows on Throne room

May locals asked to take photos with us and one young man gave Kida a national flag as a thank-you

Our kids are becoming professional posers… Didn't expect that as part of our international curriculum. 

We hiked along a remote section of the China wall and didn't see a single tourist for 3 hours.

The wind was howling in from Mongolia and crossing the dam (on the left) to get onto the wall was a wet affair.

A ladder is required to access the 'outside' of the wall (Mongolian) but the interior side has regular access points every li (1/2 kilometer).  Mom came from Canada to hike in Beijing!

Some parts of the wall were completely eroded and quite steep.

Other parts were smoothly repaved with tall protective walls on both sides.  We appreciated the wind protection in these areas.