Travels in China - Locomotion and Beijing Vignettes

Because Beijing is one of the most populous cities in the world with a population of nearly 20 million, there is no way that everyone can use a motor vehicle, even if they could afford one.  So, while there are indeed motor vehicles of all kinds there, most Chinese use pedal power.

Cycle rickshaw (pedicab) stands are easier to find than taxi stands.

Pedicabs and pedestrians coexist along some of the more picturesque pathways, such as here along one of Beijing's lakes,

and pedal-powered vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and motor vehicles all manage quite well in residential-commercial neighborhoods.

Some vehicles rely less on horsepower and more on people power, such as this three-person cycle, with three young girls lost in giggles - likely at the sightseers.

Because bicycles in frequent use need repairs, this young entrepreneur can set up shop just about anywhere.

Rather than head to the countryside for a day of fishing, city dwellers can fish in the lakes,

and, in this case, the fisherman's pet bird can enjoy an outing as well.

HWMBO was charmed by occasional glimpses of the life behind walls, such as here,

by descriptive restaurant facades like this one,

and also by these Chinese telephone "booths"

that may well have been designed by CAFA students.