Foreword Chapter1 Houses in the City 3
The Surprise of the Old Town 3
Harmed by Love 13
Intricate Alleys and Lanes 23
Content with One s Own Place in a Quadrangle House 33
Finding the Water 43
Chapter2 Dreams of the street 59
Henian Hall; Tongren Hall 59
Romantic Teahouses 65
Signs and Signboards 75
Have a Bite or Two 85
The Missing Couplet 95
Funerals and Weddings 105
Temple Fairs 113
Chapter3 Men and Women 129
Swan Song in the Peking Opera House 129
The Rise and Fall of the Xuns 139
Larger than Life 147
Shop in Front of the Mill 157
We re handicraft men! 167
Passion for Paintings 175
Chapter4 Both Old and New 189
At the Spring Festival 189
The Squeaking Push Barrows 197
The Emperor Called 207
No Words Needed 213