It is said that there are more construction cranes presently in China than in any other place in the world. Where humble family courtyard homes once stood along leafy lanes, steel and glass office buildings now reach toward the sky. Since the 1980's, Beijing has been steadily updating its urban infrastructure and modernizing its housing. Now with the 2008 Summer Olympics on the horizon, more room is being made for transitways, hotels, apartment complexes and stadiums. As a result, many old homes and buildings are being torn down.

Now, apart from major tourist attractions, such as the Forbidden City or the Temple of Heaven, it is difficult to find traditional architecture in Beijing. A century ago, the city was comprised mainly of traditional courtyard homes linked together by adjoining walls. These walls created a network of alleyways, called hutongs. Beijing was primarily a one-story city as no building could exceed the height of the Forbidden City, the emperor's residence.

Walls have long been a main element of Chinese architecture. In the past, massive walls encircled most large Chinese cities such as Beijing or Xi'an, offering military protection during times of invasion or rebellion. Bejing's city wall was demolished to make room for a modern highway.

Walls were also utilized by farmers whose courtyard also served as a pen for chickens or swine. Walls also offered protection and privacy for aristocratic households. Behind one of their walls one might find a verdant garden or a formal sitting room. But it would be impossible to tell from the outside.