Beijing From One Century To The Next China In 2002 -

CHINA - CIRCA 2002: Beijing From One Century To the Next China in 2002 - The Bell Tower, 2002, © H. Bruhat/Rapho. The Bell Tower seen from the Drum Tower with its renovated surrounding wall. In the morning it is the Bell Tower which rings. In the afternoon every hour it's the turn of the Drum Tower. This same system exists in all the traditional cities. The esplanade whose view had been blocked by a covered market has recently been opened up. Taxis and buses can park there. Many bicycle rickshaws are available to visit the "hutong" (old streets) of the neighborhood. The whole area which extends as far as Lake Shishahai is today a protected historic district. The traditional houses have been renovated. And along the lake chic restaurants, tea salons, decoration stores and art galleries have sprung up. (Photo by Herve BRUHAT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)