Rain and sun in Beijing

It has been rainy, which could be depressing, but all the umbrellas in China are incredibly cheerful :)

But even when it's sunny Chinese prefer to travel in shade.  Here Rochelle and I are about to travel via rickshaw through the Hu Tongs district in the heart of Beijing.  

This area of well preserved old alleyways still have the air of classical Chinese history about them.  Since the alleyways are close to the Forbidden City compound where the emperor lived, many important generals and dignitaries resided here, and it remains a mix of private residences with trendy shops, bars, restaurants, etc.