Inside Beijing's Forgotten Community (A Disappearing Way of Life)

[@MattandJulia]

This was an incredibly interesting video to film! 😍Hope you enjoyed it! 🙌🏼

[@robertgittings8662]

*PROVERTY = CHINA PROVERTY PROVERTY PROVERTY* *TAIWAN #1*

[@anthonybi8942]

Hey Matt and Julia, r u still in Bj? I live very close to where u r. I would like to take u out for dinner for Christmas. Anthony

[@miriam2909]

Don’t you just love how the Chinese look after their elderly parents. You don’t see that very much in our country. Not to that extent at least. This was a fascinating look into old China. I wonder how many of our modern buildings will have such appeal in a hundred years or more. Who knows. I’m watching so much about China lately and starting to love it so much. The food the culture the people are all amazing to me. I’m so glad the country has opened up so we can experience it all as well. Thanks guys for taking us along. ❤😘

[@polofar99]

Yes, when Chinese people get old, they are mainly taken care by their children, which is an old Chinese tradition of filial piety, which means that parents are responsible for bringing up their children and children are responsible for their parents' old age. As you can see in this video, this grandmother still insists on living in her old house, so her children take turns to take care of her. More commonly, the elderly will live in their children's homes. However, due to the phenomenon of childlessness, children may not be able to take care of the elderly, so China also has nursing homes where some elderly people spend the rest of their lives.

[@Peter.R.M.]

The Chinese seem to be very adaptable to change but don't forget their family roots. Its interesting that the elderly and children are very well looked after by their extended families even when they live long distances apart. Niko said the secret to his Grandmothers long life was lack of stress - all credit to his family for creating that environment for her, even though her home lacks some modern amenities.

[@lindathalman3506]

What an "intimate" visit to a Hutong. It's as if we are walking and visiting with you. Merci Matt and Julia for another inside view of Beijing and China. Fascinating! What a privilege to have a "tour" inside Niko's grandmother's home. Thanks for the visit!

[@donovandavidsonAlton]

Thanks for the insight interesting how all families over the world have a different view in life.

[@MattandJulia]

So glad you enjoyed it Donovan ❤️🙌🏼

[@stevedalley8378]

Thank you both for the Tour, you brought back many memories of when i would visit my Grandma, in Ireland who lived in a small village and cooked on the fireplace and washed clothes using a dolly in a wooden tub, and dry them using a wringer. My gran would place the towels and such into it, and i would turn the handle, as the two rollers met together to squeeze the water out, so it wouldn't take so long to dry them, in the summer we had are baths outside in a tin bath, but in winter we brought it in by the fire. And i would walk down to the end of the road with two Pails (buckets) to get water from the hand pump. Those were the days my friends. Ah reminds me of song we used to sing.

[@josecondemarin9586]

Wow, what beautiful experience. I am grateful you take us all to experience little of what life used to be twenty-five years ago. What an amazing place. There is no comparison with the west. I am from Peru, and we still maintain our traditions here in the old USA. We take care of our older folk. Love the video. Take care.Thanks 😊

[@tinawetzel3912]

Quite fascinating being able to see how ppl live in Beijing & not just the touristy places. Gives one a real feel for the REAL Beijing 😊. Thank u Matt & Julia & a special thanks to ur friend & his Grandmother for allowing us a peek into her world ❤️🥰

[@katspack2325]

I just found you guys a couple months ago....I have so much to go back and watch! I appreciate the respect you show to the people and places you film. You are showing us places that we will never be able to go. After watching this episode I am reminded of the episode when Julia went to visit her grandmother and how important my grandma was as well! The similarities in all our lives are comforting and your style of filming allows time for us to connect with people we would never have known:) Thanks form California!

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much, really appreciate it! 🥰 Really glad you found our channel! ❤️

[@katspack2325]

@@MattandJulia And see what I mean..the connection! I am drinking coffee in the US talking to you in China!! At the same moment! Thanks!

[@steveanderson9290]

Thank you Niko, your kindness and honesty produced a wonderful episode.

[@cheungchingtong]

I live in Shenzhen, but back in my hometown, about a decade ago, there were some really really old residential houses just like Beijing's Hutong, but much older, built in Qing Dynasty, conditions were really bad for living there as a modern citizen, no room for private toilet, no room for air-con, no way to replace the dead old water & electricity supply, and very easy to get a fire or even crumbling down. So the government wanted to build a whole new block full of high rise residential buildings, a mall and a park-plaza for them, on one hand people get to live more proper and safe, on the other hand those were heritage buildings, so reinforcing and redecorating them for tourism and cultural teaching is a good idea, and people who lived there all were happy and agreed to move out because they don't need to pay a cent for all these. Then drama started, we got some people on the internet saying that this kind of old buildings should be kept as what they had always been and it was good to have people living in it, while themselves were living in modern ones, enjoying AC in the summer, trolling around with their smartphones had WIFI connected on their comfort sofas and didn't need to worry about whether their houses would be crushed by a typhoon in the next day.

[@MattandJulia]

Change, whether good or bad, always makes some happy and others not. Interesting how we, as humans, embrace certain types of change with open arms, and others with contempt.

[@chybk007]

​@@MattandJuliaWho is unhappy when the government tries to provide better living conditions for hutong residents? Your argument is difficult to understand！！

[@calochortusalbus4587]

@@chybk007 I think they both need to look into the prices of these Hutongs to realize the people living there are sitting on a fair bit of value lol. Additionally it seems Westerners love to travel to global south countries to romanticize a way of life they themselves would never want. Expressing faux “concern” to push their brand of soft imperialism

[@kindface]

It's pretty deep-seated in their DNA. Go all over the world and project their own values on how others ought to live their lives to please these people. One way or another, they'll find something to pick on. When you see a guy sporting a ponytail or some silly bun in 2024, you're usually half right to be suspicious.

[@bowlpoke2245]

The oldest Hutongs were built in the Yuan Dynasty. The rest were built in the Ming and Qing dynasties. I don't see how Shenzhen's historic streets are older than hutongs...

[@davidchung4691]

I like visiting the Hutong in Beijing. Hope they will be preserved and enjoyed by people all over the World!

[@adriwthomas]

Wow! What an interesting video! It’s such a blessing that grandma is so able bodied and living at her home! I love that he shares all his childhood memories with us

[@AuroraRose_Andromeda]

Thank you for sharing this adventure. I love that they kept the homes and his gran looks amazing for 92. Thank you for giving us all a bit of the history, the life that many lived that is slowly changing. Yet, they kept these awesome homes for historic reasons. Thank you! Have an awesome weekend and stay warm! Have an amazing holiday.

[@zz3410]

Have you read, The Last Days of Old Beijing by Michael Meyer? He talks about this issue back in 2008. He was a peace corp volunteer , now at a college in the States. Excellent read.

[@peterg0]

US NGO is a color revolution machine...

[@sunshinemyson]

I so enjoyed seeing the Hutongs and what a sweet lady his grandmother is. This was a great video.

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

Great video guys. To go there into the community is truly what travel is all about. You guys do that well in every way. What a joy to see you meet up with Niko's 92 year old grandmother. Just a slice of life in Beijing , a wonderful slice. Change is hard. Hopefully , some traditions remain. Sending you much love❤❤ from Harriet, Jim and Yuki Happy Holidays ! 🎄

[@sandirobi88]

It is a very interesting video! I had read about the hutongs in National Geographic years ago. So I found this video to feel as if I was actually visiting there! Thank you for sharing!

[@WealthyChronicle]

Incredible! I can't imagine the loss of that neighborhood feel-playing football in the streets and everyone knowing each other.

[@agneswatson9592]

What an amazing experience. I did laugh when you were both whispering 😂. You always seem to find the best places to eat! ❤❤

[@shihjehwu4193]

Hutong is one of the cultural reservation of Beijing. Lots of district were torn down for preparation of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. It's a bitter and sweet of evolution of an old traditional city into a modern one. However, as Chinese people recognize cultural traditions are treasure they will try to preserve them. Matt and Julia must really love China to be concern about it.

[@DannyChean]

Lots of ruddown Hutongs are fun to visit but not that much for living. They lack basic infrastructure such as plumbing and public spaces. Sometimes they even still need to rely on communal bathrooms.

[@MattandJulia]

For sure, it is a tight squeeze with so many people in one building and only a select number of communal bathrooms ❤️

[@ThongvanNonsithanh]

Thank you friends for the interesting video. Very nice.

[@AuntieMessy]

What an amazing opportunity you’ve given us! Thank you💕

[@donnameyer9424]

Enjoyed this video very much!! Thank you❤❤❤❤ I love to see different cultures!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@samyang5873]

Hutong is Landed Property you know ?😊 Wonderful video. Greetings from S'pore 🍻 干杯 !!!

[@lizerich7044]

Balance is big issue for to keep old Hutong and prove local people life

[@icare6076]

This was so wonderful. Niko seems very kind. ❤

[@marinavlady6922]

Your videos are so interesting and always inspiring! ❤

[@earthlightstudio]

I love how you two really make deep connections with locals so we can get a more accurate glimpse of how they actually live. Many thanks to those opening their homes to all us foreigners :) It really IS fascinating to see how other cultures live! I think that's the best part of travel.

[@Jaredbuncher]

“Pushed aside” is a weird label to put on progress and improved standard of living. The romantic concept of china keeps you from appreciating the effort by the Chinese people to look forward and improve the lives of the residents. Run down buildings which are mostly unsafe and unfit to live in don’t feed people, no matter how sentimental.

[@shineluvslambiel]

Yes foreigners need to keep their orientalist and romanticized view of China (and other Asian countries) in check. What you view as romantic and “authentic” may not be what the actual people on the ground desire nor is it practical for the modern living standards.

[@BeijingBuzzz-China-Travel]

I stopped watching at that point - "pushed aside" - very bbc : (

[@chendaforest]

Preserving heritage and development need not be in conflict, indeed can be complimentary. I think many Chinese cities are increasingly valuing their historic districts and integrating them alongside newer development.

[@Jaredbuncher]

@@chendaforest it’s been like that since the late 80s and early 90s under Diang Xiaoping and every leader since has shown great effort to preserve and restore Chinese culture in all aspects. Including architecture, it’s just been supercharged now because under Xi is when china had the big bucks to do it at crazy scale and prioritize what makes sense financially.

[@BeijingBuzzz-China-Travel]

@@chendaforest Completely agree. This video though lost me from the start, and listening to the opening minutes again, I stand by what I said. Tired of hearing about 'touristy' etc, from tourists - lol.

[@jeremyrogers5103]

Fascinating glimpse into The Hutong - I thought they'd all been cleared. Great Vlog guys

[@asan1050]

Hey Matt and Julia! , Thank you very much!

[@cherylsalinas1548]

It’s so very hard to imagine that people live like this while the majority of us live in luxury. Thanks for always showing us the different aspects of where you are in the world. It is indeed fascinating. Stay safe. ❤️❤️

[@龙中旺]

Do you know how much these houses are worth per unit? Twenty million dollars per set! They are not unable to live a luxurious life, they just like simplicity.

[@RinDen-q3x]

From what I heard, these people were offered to move to modern apartments but most elderly people chose to stay there since it’s the world they have known all their lives. Some families also choose to live there since the best public schools are located in the central Beijing district. It’s quite difficult to modernize such medieval buildings in narrow alleys but for sure it has advantages for people who choose to live there.

[@Fireworks_1996]

​@@RinDen-q3xYou're right. Many people have misunderstandings about what's on video

[@lawks797]

On seeing these old houses, it always come with reminiscence of the past, its brillance, recaps the childhood lives there and the departure of grand parents, etc. All interweaving a net of happiness and sadness. It rewrites why we ought to treasure our relationship with who raised us up, and most important of all, not to lose it but treats it as a fortune inherited. If these old buildings could remind you of anything, treat it is as a reward of your life with a value. Sad to say but dare to say.❤

[@doc_zithu]

Love the spirit thank you.

[@mariafalc]

Incredible and unique experience, thank you so much!!! Merry christmas ❤

[@Fireworks_1996]

I find that some people have a lot of misunderstandings about this video. This is not a slum. These hutongs are protected as cultural relics. There are still some people who used to live there who didn't want to leave, even if their children bought modern houses. In order to improve the living conditions of these people, the government has reformed these hutongs, because they cannot be damaged, so the degree of renovation is limited.😂

[@ElizabethHernandez-nh8wf]

Thank you for this video it was so interesting. I loved your friend invite you and us into his home and shared his memories and his grandmother and uncle.❤

[@lindauhrig1513]

That was absolutely fascinating!! That hutong has a certain charm to it and probably was a nice place to grow up. Thanks for sharing!

[@grahamhetherington9756]

Epic video. I would never have known about this forgotten community.

[@waywrdsun]

I so appreciate getting to see the remnants of the old systems. Imagine. Housing provided to your family without charge for as long as you want to stay! I'm not sure the tradeoff of being strapped with debt and forced to work too many hours for too little pay to have all of the modern conveniences of the west, and in recent times, it seems, the whole world, is worth it.

[@chriscastello3922]

Fascinating insights.. Thanks

[@MattandJulia]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼❤️

[@citruschaos9402]

11:14 Grandma was asking if they've unlocked the doors (for you guys to see) and inviting you guys to sit down inside the room. Niko said he'll take care of it. (and btw grandma is 92)

[@carolali8851]

What a wonderful way of living. Everyone looking after each other is as it should be. The Hutongs are a good thing so let's hope they don't disappear completely.

[@joannafortier9291]

Loved the video ❤

[@skywire5595]

Now we got an idea what Hutong inside look like , pretty cramp. thks for sharing

[@dextro7349]

So interesting ❤ Thank you for bringing us along ❤

[@z_a_r_a_oxowowsb7511]

Nice video, Like it

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you 😌❤️

[@azzamatic4190]

Thank you for this very informative video

[@thenanlife1141]

Love your vloggs so much guys ...❤❤❤❤

[@FrankCastleTIG]

I could be way off (just started learning mandarin, lol) but was the grandma saying kě'ài? That you're cute? But also sounded like it had 'le' after it so maybe not. 😂

[@lauragrandgenett]

I really enjoyed meeting Niko and his family. That was so very kind of him to invite us all into his grandmother’s home.

[@cindybrodie9769]

This was amazing.

[@michaels3474]

Goes to say that we are not so different. Thank you for the tour!

[@LorraineinPNW]

Cool visit!

[@myintmaunmaun]

Very meaningful content!

[@parson123]

In the past, people used coal for heating, which produced thick smoke in the winter. Now they can’t burn coal anymore and basically use electricity instead.

[@kapk]

3:35 six restaurants, not steak

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you for the clarification 👍🏻

[@etow8034]

The gated condo communities are now the modern day equivalents of the Hutongs ! Most tourists don't know that a Hutong today costs over $1.5+ million usd !

[@MulletDog84]

Very interesting nice that they have preserved some history. Also did you hold your breath when Grandma was making the tea and pouring the boiling water into the mug/pot?😬 One thing I noticed is CCTV everwhere...

[@HarishHathila-q1r]

Beautiful ❤️

[@diic3227]

The grandmother was asking if something was open and for you guys to go and sit 11:22

[@williampaulsen2377]

Wow what a Neat opportunity to see the way of life in China

[@williamvonbaskerville3805]

Its so nice to see you both became patient, respectful, interested and sometimes quiet nearly whispering when you share time and space with people who invited you - you show interest and respect ..... and thats a sign of well education and civilisation. That´s the difference between the normal european and the migrant muslims over here - they allways have to put themselves in the middle of everything, whether is it appropriate or not .... mostly not but they don´t care. They even cannot recognize their misbehaviour. At the moment china isn´t confrontated with them, but i ask myself how it will react when they comming for china. I assume they will have contact with the police the first day they arrive - and after a while the chinese government will react in contrast to our government. Time will tell ..... but the most of my assumptions came true till now.

[@osuan9]

nice..

[@MattandJulia]

🙌🏼❤️

[@lizerich7044]

That’s why the most people live hutong want to government Demolition old house to prove their life

[@danysl2008]

Filial piety in China society is one culture westerners could never understand. Younger generations prioritize self instead of elderly family is a way of life for westerners.

[@nazaharin]

Hutong house is unique. The house is the land. The houses surrounded are its rooms. We have one house and rooms inside the house. Interesting.

[@Zombieprogg1]

Try Lanzhou hand pulled noodles and sushi

[@MattandJulia]

Thanks! Sushi, from Lanzhou? 😅

[@Zombieprogg1]

@ no sushi is popular in China

[@Zombieprogg1]

@ and try pizza

[@jiazhang2395]

The hudong is most expensive realestate in China now, and the government spend lots money to maintain them, because it’s our culture heritage !!

[@刘冰-l3w]

欢迎你们到广东玩，广州 深圳 珠海

[@MattandJulia]

We would love to ❤️

[@kapk]

Yuan is pronounced "yuen" single syllable

[@MattandJulia]

Thanks 😌

[@randycarter7288]

Your wife should be model she is Beautiful

[@shantrannyduck]

can you use a futon in a hutong? 🙃😉 i had this question in my mind. I'll get my coat. Joking apart this was gold many thanx Normal folks getting free Council Housing ... that is why i still think communism is a great idea and will always be

[@72stones43]

Do the Chinese cook your food in sewer water?

[@lawks797]

I remember an episode you showed...ths is nothing compare with this...too hilarious, you can't miss it... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXmTdX53Yr-Ga6Msi=jFw6QDMvVk1Rti3G

[@MarvinOne]

Actually they're millionaires😂

[@Cuojin]

这哥们儿是一点儿英语语法也不讲啊，哈哈哈哈。单词丢出来，不讲单复数时态语态，哈哈哈。非常Chinglish了。

[@Cuojin]

然后他还喜欢在英语中加“内个”，哈哈哈，这份儿自信也是挺好的。语言只要能沟通就可以了。

[@steinarhaugen7617]

Unimaginable poverty!

[@龙中旺]

Do you know how much these houses are worth per unit? Twenty million dollars per set! You are too ignorant!

[@bowlpoke2245]

You are stupid. Those 四合院 are worth tens of millions yuanes at least. Some just prefer living there.

[@lindathalman3506]

Take a visit to Ghana, India, Brazil, South Africa, Somalia, Bangladesh....and so many more places to see poverty that will make your heart sink. Absolutely not "unimaginable poverty" where Niko's grandmother lives in my humble opinion.

[@QuintaJoryal]

This horrible country destroyed so much of its natural treasures. Such a boring mentality

[@calochortusalbus4587]

@@QuintaJoryal this “horrible country” lifted 800 million of its people out of poverty whilst the collective West with their invasions, proxy wars, and regime changes not only killed entire generations but put at least that many into poverty. The people living in their multi million dollar Hutongs are there to live their lives, not for misery-porn addicts to project the horrors of western society onto them.

[@張小可-b8l]

聽你在胡說八道...多的美得令人驚豔的自然景色....它們被維護得非常好.... Nonsense...so many stunning natural scenery...they are very well maintained by the local governments and the people .....

[@leonlili5312]

哇塞 如果这个房产是这位兄弟的 至少值一千多万美元吧