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| Transformation of the Hutong Quadrangles Area |
| 2008-09-09 (Tuesday) 16:43 |
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In the Yuan Dynasty, it was the capital center for commerce and grain transport. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was home to many high officials and men of letters. After the Manchu takes over, the emperor-led Pure Yellow Banner troops were stationed here. In 1992, the Standing Conference of the Beijing Government named it a scenic area of history and culture. (part of the area is also known as Shichahai) In 2002, Shichahai and its environments, which cover 1,467,000 square meters altogether, was designated as one of the 25 historical and cultural protection zones of the Old City. * Courtyard then was constructed carefully taking into consideration of the Feng Shui, the weather conditions of the city making it cool in the summer and warm in the winter as well as the current social, economic status of its owner, be it wealth or be it power. Such attention to details in design makes each quadrangle unique. Each carries its own personality.
On the other hand, courtyard quadrangles that peasants used to live in are called "Da Zha Yuan". Unlike those elegantly built for high ranking officials, "Da Zha Yuan" has dozens of families, usually extended families, living in compartmentalized space. General living conditions are poor and run down. Up until recently, many of these places still have limited electricity and water supplies, no security systems and virtually no privacy.
About 10 years ago, bars, restaurants and hotels in the Quadrangle Dwellings started to sprout in its neighborhood, making this place more interesting. The coexistence of tradition and fashion attracts more tourists from home and abroad each year. At that time, only a few quadrangles-turned-hostels were permitted by the government to entertain visitors in Beijing. These hotels are family run businesses employing low skilled workers generating incomes barely covering the costs of the operations. At present, although the number of quadrangles has been confirmed to about 160,000 in Beijing, only 300 are privately owned. The scarcity and uniqueness of such quadrangles makes it more attractive to locals and foreigners alike. Within the 'old city ' of Beijing, local wealthy landlords seek to buy their second homes, multinational corporations eager to set up their Asia headquarters while businessmen fight to turn traditional quadrangles into sustainable cultural boutique hotels/hostels with the help from seasoned professionals. Modern amenities implemented includes installation of air-conditioning systems, latest designer's furniture ware, infra-red ray alarm system and modern plumbing services. Nevertheless, the culturally unique exterior of these courtyard are kept so it blends in well with the local communities. Currently there are about 20 such courtyard hotels in the "old city"' and the number is increasing.**
Citizens living in the "Da Zha Yuan" of the 'old city' also benefited from the renaissance. Government officials recently promise that they will complete rebuilding architecturally dangerous quadrangles in 2-3 years. With almost 60,000 residents soon to be evacuated, refurbishing will start immediately with an estimated budget of RMB 150,000,000. The face of the Hutong quadrangle area will certainly be different and so has the rest of China
**Name List of the quadrangles hotel in the "old city"
1/北京閱微莊四合院賓館(2007)
北京市東城區東四四條街37號,主樓高1層 附樓2層 客房35間/套
2/ 北京中堂主題四合院酒店(2006)
北京市西城區西四北二條12號, 樓高1層 客房17間/套
3/ 北京吉慶堂四合院酒店(2004)
東城區北鑼鼓巷紗絡胡同7號院，是一家四星級標準的中式酒店, 6間房
4/北京天翔四合院酒店 (2005)
東四十北大街什錦花園胡同16號
5/ 御林驿站 (2006)
北京东城区东单北大街北极阁三条 51 号(6間房)
6/ 胡同人古董旅馆 (2005)
北京市西城区方砖厂胡同6号院
7/ 北京院子酒店
北京东城区安定门西大街8号院
8/ 王家客栈四合院宾馆
北京市东城区东四六条月牙胡同10号院1/北京閱微莊四合院賓館(2007)
北京市東城區東四四條街37號,主樓高1層 附樓2層 客房35間/套
9/ 北京中堂主題四合院酒店(2006)
北京市西城區西四北二條12號, 樓高1層 客房17間/套
10/ 北京吉慶堂四合院酒店(2004)
東城區北鑼鼓巷紗絡胡同7號院，是一家四星級標準的中式酒店 ( 6間房)
11/北京天翔四合院酒店 (2005)
東四十北大街什錦花園胡同16號
12/ 御林驿站 (2006)
北京东城区东单北大街北极阁三条 51 号(6間房)
13/ 胡同人古董旅馆 (2005)
北京市西城区方砖厂胡同6号院
14/ 北京院子酒店
北京东城区安定门西大街8号院
15/ 王家客栈四合院宾馆
北京市东城区东四六条月牙胡同10号院
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