Beijing's hutong under pressure

Local officials in Beijing vowed to further renovate and protect the city's cultural heritage, in particular the narrow streets or alleys known as hutong, in the downtown area.

In the old districts of Dongcheng and Xicheng, which cover 62 square kilometers, some people will be asked to move from one-story hutong houses to avoid further damage to ancient architecture, said Huang Yan, director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Planning.

Hutong are commonly found in the cities of North China, but they are at risk. Beijing is currently believed to have fewer than 1,000 hutong, most of which are located near the Forbidden City. Only 60 years ago, the number was 3,250.