Nanluo, which used to be a literary and artistic place, has long been reduced to an online celebrity attraction for tourists. The streets are bombarded with big squid, potato chips and small balls, which is lively and tacky. But just turn around and you can find some treasures in old Beijing, watching the vicissitudes of the century and the prosperity come to an end.
The most beautiful brick-carved arch in Beijing is hidden deep in a courtyard in the East Mianmian Hutong in the middle of Nanluo, and it is a municipal cultural relic.
The arch was originally a part of the Fengshan residence of General Jilin in the late Qing Dynasty. The general had a rich family and owned a half-alley house. After the Republic of China, the mansion was divided and sold, and now it is a large courtyard with three courtyards. The original gate has been destroyed, and the vertical flower gate has been transformed into a residence. Only the brick arches of the second gate have been preserved intact.
This Western-style arch is tall and gorgeous, and the exquisite sculptures of flowers, birds and animals are all over the entire arch, and every part is finely chiseled. On the railing at the top of the arch are engraved pine, bamboo and plum blossoms, the Three Friends of Sui Han, with multi-treasure grids carved on both sides, and the dark Eight Immortals pattern inside.
On the right hand side of the arch is a resident who pays attention to living taste. The arched doors and windows on the wall are in the same style as the arch. The master stood at the door, not embarrassed to disturb.
Both sides of the aisle inside the arch are full of dilapidated debris, and the scenes of civilian life seem to be in discordant conflicts with the magnificent arch. After spending a hundred years of turmoil in such a mixed environment in the courtyard, especially after escaping the era of destroying cultural relics, it is amazing that it is still intact.
Blossoms of flowers and scenes can be disillusioned overnight. The centuries-old arches survived the fireworks and fleeting years, fading away the traces of prosperity and depositing the traces of the changing years. Gorgeous and secular coexist, and there is a kind of deep calmness.
Attractions Guide
?｜With the flowers and plants on the right hand side of the arch as the foreground, use a large aperture or the portrait mode of the mobile phone to take a picture of the arch.
The passage behind the arch is paved with a remnant of carved stone slabs, in contrast to the disorderly bricks in front.
?｜No. 15, East Cotton Alley, Dongcheng District
?｜Exit B of Nanluoguxiang of Metro Line 6, walk 400 meters north of Yannan Luoguxiang, and turn right at the intersection of Donghuaian Hutong
?｜No. 15 is now an ordinary residential house, so try to keep quiet when you go in and take pictures, so as not to affect the lives of residents. It’s better to wear pants. There are many flowers and plants in the yard, and after autumn? The bite is also very fierce. I was bitten four times on my calf.
?｜Nanluo has a lot of delicious food, and the coffee in Beiping Garden is worth a try. The simple meals are delicious and not expensive.
