Foreword Chapter1 Houses in the City

The Surprise of the Old Town

Harmed by Love

Intricate Alleys and Lanes

Content with One s Own Place in a Quadrangle House

Finding the Water

Chapter2 Dreams of the street

Henian Hall; Tongren Hall

Romantic Teahouses

Signs and Signboards

Have a Bite or Two

The Missing Couplet

Funerals and Weddings

Temple Fairs

Chapter3 Men and Women

Swan Song in the Peking Opera House

The Rise and Fall of the Xuns

Larger than Life

Shop in Front of the Mill

We re handicraft men!

Passion for Paintings

Chapter4 Both Old and New

At the Spring Festival

The Squeaking Push Barrows

The Emperor Called

No Words Needed