Ma Haifang (马海方) is a Chinese artist born and grew up in Beijing’s outskirts. Below are some of his works illustrating the lives of ordinary rural and city folks in Beijing in the last century.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.viewofchina.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/beijing-1.jpg?resize=640%2C635&ssl=1)
COMMENTS FROM MINDS
soxfan1957
Aaaah! The old fashion back scratcher. One of the best inventions ever.
All Things Chinese
Have you ever used it? 😂
soxfan1957
I’ve got one that looks like the one in the picture. That and a brush on a long handle for the shower.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.viewofchina.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/beijing-village.jpg?resize=640%2C655&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.viewofchina.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/beijing-entertament.jpg?resize=640%2C634&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.viewofchina.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/beijing-vendor.jpg?resize=640%2C649&ssl=1)
Each year from the early autumn on, there were roasted sweet potato stalls emerging in Beijing’s trading centres and hutongs (alleyways) in siheyuan (courtyard-style houses) neighbourhoods. Most of the vendors were peasants from Beijing’s outskirts or non-locals without a job. The initial investment includes a stove, usually made with a recycled oil barrel so it actually cost nothing, and a second-hand bike.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.viewofchina.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/beijing-lanterns.jpg?resize=640%2C643&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.viewofchina.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/funeral.jpg?resize=640%2C768&ssl=1)