Zheng Xicheng

　　Following the demolition of the former residence of Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin in Beizongbu Hutong, Beijing, earlier this year, which sparked intense public controversy, the recent news that No. 84 Zhuanta Hutong in Xicheng District—where Lu Xun once wrote works such as "The New Year's Sacrifice"—is about to be demolished has again aroused widespread discussion. As everyone laments that "Beijing is disappearing," Zheng Xicheng—a man in his seventies suffering from polio and myocardial infarction, at an age when he should be cultivating his health and enjoying his later years—has, since 2001, taken up his camera and video recorder, picked up his paintbrush, and ridden his bicycle out of his enclosed courtyard into the hutongs marked with the character "chai" (demolish), shuttling among Beijing's residential courtyards. Facing the residential courtyards and winding hutongs that are about to vanish, regardless of bitter cold or scorching heat, he leaves early and returns late every day, using his drawings and photographs to collect the beauty of Beijing's residential courtyards. With superhuman perseverance, he has drawn more than a hundred pen-and-ink sketches of Beijing's residential courtyards that are about to disappear. He has become one of the most closely watched protectors of historic and cultural cities in China.

　　An Old Beijinger Raised in the Hutongs

　　Zheng Xicheng is an old Beijinger born and raised here; the unique architectural forms of the siheyuan and the warmth of neighbors have always been the backdrop of his life's stage. He is filled with deep, indelible affection for Beijing's old hutongs. He loves this old city of Beijing, and as the years pass and the old city slowly moves along the trajectory of disappearance, he is deeply pained and heartbroken by what is happening. Thus, he tries to use his paintbrush to protect this profound affection for old Beijing and to record courtyard after courtyard that was once vibrant and may soon disappear. Beyond this deep affection, Mr. Zheng also wants to do his part to protect Beijing's residential culture.

　　Zheng Xicheng lives in Jiudaowan Hutong near Beixinqiao in Dongcheng District, Beijing. After much searching, the author and several designer friends finally found Mr. Zheng's home. The place is extremely quiet, and a sense of tranquility far from the noise of the world immediately arises. This is an old siheyuan; over the years, the gray-black brick walls have become mottled—traces washed by time. They say old Beijing's hutongs wind and curve, filled with stories.

　　The "Form" and "Spirit" of Beijing's Hutong Culture

　　Having lived in the hutongs since childhood and been familiar with every brick and tile of old Beijing's hutongs from an early age, he deeply understands the harmonious and profound friendship among the people of old Beijing. He believes that the sincere mutual help among neighbors is the essence of Beijing's hutong culture and the "spirit" of hutong culture. The various forms of courtyards in the hutongs are the "form" of hutong culture. Only the preservation of both form and spirit truly preserves Beijing's hutong culture. Yet today, the "spirit" of Beijing's hutong culture is gradually being lost and has already begun to be damaged.

　　Mr. Zheng's choice to use his paintbrush to record Beijing's residential courtyards is also closely related to his previous work. He was formerly an arts and crafts artist; his basic skill was sketching, and he also accumulated experience in painting and carving, so his skill in pen-and-ink line drawing is naturally well known.