Beijing was an introduction to the East, through the West. The Peking Yard Hostel where we stayed was a lookalike of any conventional European hostel. This hostel is built in a 100 year old traditional 'Siheyuan' (Courtyard residence) in an area known as Hutong (Narrow streets and alleys). The stay was akin to a Euro trip until we stepped out onto the street. The Art and Architecture see a constant wavering between the old and the new, modern and traditional, insignificant and imperial - Red and yellows emphasizing traditional Imperial architecture vs street graffiti, murals, ceramics breaking prior cultural traditions to make modern statements. Beijing is a city of contradictions, like most other capitals.
