Beijing, a city that I had longed for but was unable to set foot in during my studies in southern China, has always exuded a unique attraction to me. For this reason, I came to China again, specifically heading north, just to fulfill a dream that was deeply hidden in my heart. From the moment I stepped onto Daxing International Airport, a flowing vitality rushed towards me. The terminal building is crowded with people, the subway carriages are crowded with people, and delivery personnel wearing "yellow vests" are skillfully shuttling through the traffic... Everything in the city is running at high speed. At first, this fast-paced pace felt overwhelming, but later I gradually caught the rhythm of the city's development - it has never severed its connection with history in the surging waves. Hutong is an important witness to the historical development of Beijing. Those narrow alleys seem to have opened up another side of this city - a leisurely and soothing pace of life, with everyday fireworks visible everywhere. In this interweaving rhythm of fast and slow, I realized that the true charm of Beijing lies not only in the towering buildings and bustling commercial districts, but also hidden in the streets and alleys full of human touch. The rich atmosphere of hutong life can be traced back to the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century. As a carefully planned street network since the founding of Beijing as the capital, they extend outwards around the Forbidden City like veins, outlining the original texture and contours of this ancient capital. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, hutongs became even more prosperous and became the center of everyday life, carrying the daily fireworks of generations of Beijing residents. Every alley is a complete miniature world. Family members live here, neighbors share meals, and children chase and play in the alleys - the rich atmosphere of life is the most touching color of the alley. On both sides of the narrow alleyway, green trees provide shade, and red paper with the auspicious word "fu" is pasted on the lintel. Occasionally, a lingering fragrance of incense wafts through the air, silently conveying the Chinese cultural traditions that have continued to this day. Along the way, you can see several small businesses with menus handwritten on wooden boards or paper hanging at the entrance. A few home cooked dishes are enough to soothe the taste buds. The ingredients are stir fried and cooked in the iron pot outside, served hot to the customers who come and go, everything is as natural and comfortable as walking into a friend's kitchen. The atmosphere of Beijing Hutong (pictured/Ren Chao) exudes a long lost sense of familiarity. Growing up in the countryside of southern Italy, I have long been familiar with the warmth of neighborly interdependence in narrow streets, and the tranquility of daily life flowing through the alleys. The hutongs in Beijing also carry a similar intimacy. They remind me of an unadorned beauty - not pursuing deliberate perfection, but built on the tacit understanding between people, naturally formed in daily encounters and mutual understanding. Hutongs not only carry the nostalgia of Chinese people, but also reflect the deep cultural characteristics of China. They are like a mirror, reflecting the unwavering cultural foundation of this country as it experiences rapid development. Every quiet and simple street embodies a humble and resilient character, as well as a deep appreciation for family traditions. The process of modernization in China did not begin with glass curtain wall buildings rising from the ground in cities, but with ordinary alleys and alleys where people lived with diligence, mutual assistance, and simple living to build their lives. Strolling through the alleys, we can still feel this spirit quietly continuing, like a gentle stream, continuously and profoundly nourishing the inner temperament of this country. Hutongs have achieved innovative development in this rapidly changing era, where urban development is constantly evolving, and the evolution of Beijing's hutongs is a vivid portrayal of this process. With the continuous expansion of cities, many hutongs have gradually disappeared due to the widening of tree lined avenues, the construction of skyscrapers, and the emergence of shopping centers. But the alleys that remain today still clearly show the texture that once made up the city of Beijing. These surviving hutongs, like guardians of memory, still stand quietly in a corner of the city. They maintain a subtle balance between tradition and modernity: they are both the real carriers of residents' daily lives and continue the smoke and fire atmosphere of the streets and neighborhoods; At the same time, it has gradually been incorporated into urban protection projects, cultural heritage systems, and even tourism development, seeking better development directions in modern society. In recent years, Beijing has put in a lot of effort to protect the style of hutongs. Part of the hutongs have been carefully renovated, fully restoring the traditional layout of the quadrangle courtyard, and the wooden doors have also been carefully restored. On the other hand, some hutongs have been revitalized and transformed into gathering places for cafes, bookstores, and cultural spaces, complementing historical buildings with modern life. Nowadays, places such as Nanluoguxiang and Yanbaoxie Street are extremely popular, with numerous shops and restaurants, attracting local residents and tourists from all over the world; Shichahai Lake has become a landmark attraction showcasing the beauty of the fusion of ancient and modern times. However, beyond this bustling area, there are still some quiet corners hidden. Like my beloved Hat Alley, strolling through it, I can still feel the unadorned daily colors. It is this simple daily routine that makes the hutongs always exude a unique charm. Tourists are playing in Nanluogu Lane, Beijing. The current challenges facing hutongs are clear and severe: how to better convey hutong culture while protecting traditional spaces? The essence of hutongs has never been a frozen monument. Its true vitality comes from the continuation of residents' daily lives. In this era constantly reshaped by globalization, it is indeed a long and arduous task to safeguard this authenticity. At the same time, in the wave of globalization, how should society safeguard the roots of culture? Obviously, repairing walls and painting storefronts alone is far from enough. What truly needs to be passed down is the rhythm of life itself, the daily rituals that maintain interpersonal connections and historical heritage. Cultural self-awareness is the key to this process. Whether it is traditional festivals, oral history, or social media, they can all become important media to remind the younger generation and foreign visitors - these hutongs are not just tourist check-in spots, but also living historical witnesses, silently continuing the cultural context in the ever-changing era. The existence of hutongs itself speaks - tradition does not need to be hidden in the shadow of modernity. They prove that cities can develop and move forward while still preserving space for slower paced lifestyles. Protecting hutongs is not only to preserve buildings, but also to safeguard a way of life, a cultural memory that is still shaping the soul of Beijing city. To experience the charm of hutongs in different ways, it's better to slow down and savor them carefully instead of rushing to check-in or rush to time. In my opinion, strolling is the most enjoyable way to experience the charm of hutongs. When you slow down and walk, you will notice those subtle details, and every corner hides vivid details that cannot be missed. For me, the most satisfying experience is always this simple: taking a quiet stroll, observing carefully, and slowly feeling the natural smoke and fire of the alley. Cycling is another common mode of transportation, and bicycles have always been a frequent visitor on the streets of Beijing. During cycling, one can not only experience the daily rhythm of local life, but also inadvertently encounter the scenery hidden in the corner. Popular areas in hutongs also offer guided tours in yellow taxis. Sitting down and listening to the tour guide tell historical stories when you have free time is a beautiful thing. When strolling through the hutongs, please always remember that this is not a museum or a tourist area specifically designed for visitors, but a real community that carries the daily life, rest, and lifestyle of residents. Respecting privacy is therefore particularly important - many residents will place signs in front of their doors, urging visitors not to sit on the steps or take photos casually. These subtle reminders are a kind reminder to us: we should not disturb the pace of life in the alley itself due to the intervention of outsiders. Protecting hutongs is actually hidden in every choice we make: walking into local small shops for consumption, dining at family restaurants, or strolling quietly with a focused and respectful attitude. These seemingly small actions are practical actions to protect these precious spaces and are also important ways for the hutongs to continue their vitality. Therefore, visiting hutongs is like entering a peaceful environment within a vibrant culture. Here, we observe without disturbing, allowing ourselves to be infected and shaped by the unique soothing rhythm of the alley. Exploring hutongs in Beijing, a high-speed city, requires patience. They give us the inspiration that in order to truly 'see', we must first learn to 'stay'. Slow life in hutongs, slow life hutongs are not just ordinary alleys, but also silent witnesses of the mobile era. They remind us through their own existence that life is not always in a race, and the value of simple and pure neighborly warmth and community connections is far from being measured by efficiency and progress. In the shaded alleys, there flows a soothing rhythm of life. In today's globalized world, these corners that can still connect people's hearts and retain the warmth of human emotions are particularly precious - they are fragments of the tenacious "slow life" that exists in a fast-paced society, and also vivid footnotes to a philosophy of life. The hutongs in Beijing are filled with a strong sense of life. What shocked me the most was the natural balance in Beijing. She possesses a grand vision and ambitious spirit, always in a state of dynamic development; But the hutong, like a needle of the sea, stands still in a corner, maintaining its unique rhythm. These streets and alleys have not been shelved and turned into exhibits for viewing only, but still exist vividly - this is precisely their preciousness. For me, strolling through the hutongs is not only an observation of Eastern culture, but also a reflection on life that leads me inward. They taught me to slow down and pay attention to the subtle details that make up the fabric of the city. In these seemingly simple alleys, there is a resilient force that reminds us that in the ever-changing times, inheritance also has irreplaceable value. At the same time, this experience made me deeply realize that the soul of a place is often hidden in those inadvertent corners, rather than in famous landmarks. Hutong gave me an unexpected sense of detachment - as if pressing the pause button in the fast-paced life, leading me to rediscover China: it is not only an ancient Eastern country with a rich history and strong national strength, but also a warm country deeply rooted in daily life, advocating simplicity and cherishing neighborly friendship. After leaving, I think I will miss this place. (Xinhua News Agency) (The author of this article is Anna Giada D'Angelo, the international correspondent of Xinhua News Agency in Italy)