2008 Jun 17 Forgotten Beijing: Beijing by Foot book talk at the Bookworm tonight
If you missed out on the interesting events that marked Cultural Heritage Day last Saturday, tonight offers up another chance to delve into some of the quirkier aspects of Beijing's history.
Eric Abrahamsen, the principal contributor to Beijing by Foot, will be speaking at the Bookworm about his new project, a collection of Beijing walks. Beyond the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, forgotten Beijing comes to life as Abrahamsen explores some of Beijing's lesser known historical sights.
Tonight Abrahamsen will be speaking on the Bada Hutong and Xiangchang Lu area in East Qianmen. From 1911-1928, the area was a center for modernization and development. Intriguingly enough, it also served as the primary neighborhood for brothels, and today, despite the redevelopment of the whole area, many of the original buildings still remain.
While the set of 40 detailed, mapped walking cards won't be on sale at the talk, you will be able to pre-order. Readers can also get a glimpse of some of the fascinating discoveries that Abrahamsen has made over at the Beijing by Foot blog, which features, among other things, photos and reflections on the author's adventures spelunking through the web of bomb-shelter tunnels 30 meters under Nanluogu Xiang.
Jun 17
Book Launch: Beijing by Foot
Free.
7.30pm. The Bookworm (6585 9507)
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