The sound of a man imitating vendors from old Beijing reverberated around Capital Paradise in Shunyi District at the weekend, bringing back memories of hutong life in the capital.

"It is so different for people like us who live in international residences to hear the sound of hawkers, whose lyrics describe so well Beijing people's old customs," said Xiao Ma, a businessman living in the compound.

Every year, a special fair based on a combination of performances and the traditional Chinese temple fair is organized for those living in Capital Paradise.

Along the alleys of two floors in a building of the residence stand many stalls selling various handicrafts like clay figures, ice-frozen sweetmeats, Chinese yoyos and carpets. Foreigners gathered around the hawker Wu and quizzed him about the knives, spools and barber's tools on his table.

"I was born into a family which runs a business selling snacks, and I live in a compound with those poor vendors, so I have the opportunity to collect many tools," 70-year-old Wu explained.

On a corner of the building, several large tables formed a calligraphy talent show area. Some calligraphy enthusiasts made Spring Festival scrolls from red paper, a special activity held ahead of the Chinese New Year. Auspicious phrases such as "business flourishes," "peace all year round," "wishing you prosperity," "harmony and wealth," were written on the scrolls.

Outside the center, a traditional lion and dragon dance was performed around some of the villas, to give a Chinese New Year's greeting to residents. Some expatriates followed in the footsteps of their Chinese neighbors by throwing hongbao, red paper envelopes filled with cash, into the lion's mouth.

The fair, which has been held every year since 1997, regularly attracts more than 1,000 visitors. It was welcomed by residents, who include some 40 different nationalities and was considered as a good way of improving relationships between neighbors living in this high end residence.

(China Daily 02/07/2007 page16)