Hutong heirs grow greedy

Nanluoguxiang is a hutong area near the Drum and Bell Towers that are both romantic and artistic. They are popular among foreigners to seek out a little Chinese culture, while the Chinese who come do so mostly for coffee and pizza. The areas are full of bars, cafes, shops, and of course, visitors.

I love Nanluoguxiang and would certainly go there more if there were fewer people. When I went there for my first time in the summer of 2007, it wasn't nearly as popular as it is today, but then it was a symbol of a developing Beijing.

Given its success, of course, local government is keen to expand it further. Take a walk around the area these last few days and you will see a lot of construction work now covering the area.