Customs and Charms of Old Beijing

As soon as Old Beijing is mentioned, people may envision caravans of camels at the foot of the Front Gate, the crowded and noisy Tianqiao area, alleys filled with hawkers’ cries, life in the courtyards, an assortment of snacks such as jellied tofu, stewed pork liver, and fermented soybean milk, crosstalk comedians, Beijing musical story-telling accompanied by a small drum or a single-stringed instrument—all images piecing together an ancient song echoing far into the mists of time.