The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstre...

The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed

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Originally Red Bayberry and Bamboo was named after a matchmaker who arranged marriages on the lane. After the custom was deemed a relic of feudalism, municipal authorities swapped her name (yang) and profession (mei) for homophones that mean Red Bayberry (yangmei), then added bamboo (zhu). The name reflects the apothecaries who worked here, and the

Michael Meyer • The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed

It is Beijing’s—if not the world’s—densest urban environment.

Michael Meyer • The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed

A Beijing courtyard home, in contrast, turns its face inward, hiding its most attractive features behind gates and walls.

Michael Meyer • The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed

healthier than living in a high-rise apartment. The concept is called jie diqi in Chinese, “to be connected to the earth’s energy.”

Michael Meyer • The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed

The job was a voyeur’s dream, but a bad one.

Michael Meyer • The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed

He crouches, looks up, rises, makes a small bow, and yells, “Good morning, Teacher Plumblossom!”

Michael Meyer • The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed

Together, they are the backdrop to a vanishing way of life.

Michael Meyer • The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed

I moved to Red Bayberry and Bamboo Slanted Street on August 8, 2005.

Michael Meyer • The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed

Minnesota home. Here, I also met my future wife. For me, Beijing was simply love at first sight.