A man bicycles past lettuce drying in the afternoon sun in front of a "hutong" or courtyard style home in Beijing, China. With China's economy booming a large number of these back alley neighborhoods have been demolished to make way for more modern office and apartment bulidings.

A woman knits in the shadows of trees near her "hutong" or courtyard style home in Beijing, China. With China's economy booming a large number of these back alley neighborhoods have been demolished to make way for more modern office and apartment bulidings.

A mother and daughter acknowledge the photographer near their "hutong" or courtyard style home in Beijing, China With China's economy booming a large number of these back alley neighborhoods have been demolished to make way for more modern office and apartment bulidings.

A man bicycles past a pedi-cab driver waiting for passengers in a hutong in Beijing, China. With China's economy booming a large number of these back alley neighborhoods have been demolished to make way for more modern office and apartment bulidings.

A man looks on as a family rides their bike past a "hutong" or courtyard home that has been demolished in Beijing, China. With China's economy booming a large number of these back alley neighborhoods have been demolished to make way for more modern office and apartment bulidings.

A man delivers coal which is still used to heat many back alley "hutong" or courtyard style homes in Beijing, China. With China's economy booming a large number of these back alley neighborhoods have been demolished to make way for more modern office and apartment bulidings.

An elderly man gestures out the door of his "hutong" or courtyard home in Beijing, China. With China's economy booming a large number of these back alley neighborhoods have been demolished to make way for more modern office and apartment bulidings.

A man stands in the shadows down a back alley Hutong in Beijing, China. With China's economy booming a large number of these back alley neighborhoods have been demolished to make way for more modern office and apartment bulidings.

Locals hang around a small shop in a hutong of Beijing, China. With China's economy booming a large number of these back alley neighborhoods have been demolished to make way for more modern office and apartment bulidings.