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THE world's eyes may be focused on Beijing this month because of a certain sporting event beginning with O.
But there's another side to China's capital where the lanes have nothing to do with 100m dashes, and more to do with an ancient pace of life.
These lanes are the 'hutong' areas of Beijing, a lesser known part of the city's rich cultural heritage, but historically significant all the same.
A visit to these narrow-laned, single-storey neighbourhoods is the perfect pick-me-up if you are weary of urban high-rises and new developments, or seek a stark contrast to the ultra-modern 'Bird's Nest' Olympic stadium.
They are also something different to visit from the usual attractions such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.
Hutongs are old traditional alleyways that run along the backs of siheyuan, which are traditional courtyard residences.
The origins of these siheyuan go back to the Han dynasty (20BC - AD300) and they consist of a courtyard with a building on all four sides.
Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times' Life!
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