Beijing is a fascinating city. While it’s now filled with skyscrapers over 20 stories tall, you can still find pockets of “urban villages” – neighborhoods where humble residents maintain a simple, neighborly lifestyle. I’ve grown fond of these communities where clean alleys echo with friendly greetings, radiating warmth and camaraderie. In contrast, the concrete towers with their constant noise and commotion have left me weary of high-rise living.