Por: Rick

Thanks for the interesting piece on the ‘restoration/destruction’ subject. It is indeed difficult for a visitor in China to determine to what extent a ‘restored’ landmark he is looking at bears any real resemblance to the original historical structure that was located on that same site! I have felt that many times travelling in China, including at world-famous structures like portions of the Great Wall, as well as at reconstructed city gates in more obscure parts of China.
Might it be possible for you to show your readers another photo of the same street scene in about ten days time? It would be useful to give an impression of the feverish rate of change that is taking place in Beijing right now.