The alleys in the north are called hutongs, but why are the alleys in Shanghai called alleys?

I still remember walking through a street called "Dongjiaominxiang" when I traveled to Beijing, and later I learned that it was originally what we called an alley. In fact, Shanghai's alleys and hutongs are similar buildings. Speaking of Beijing, we have to mention hutongs. The most distinctive architectural style of this city is the famous hutongs in Beijing, such as East Jiao Min Lane, West Jiao Min Lane and Xishichahai Hutong.

"Nongtang" in the book "Nongtang" is an ancient title. In ancient records, "Nong" refers to the alley in the alley, and "Tang" refers to the road at the entrance of the ancient court and ancestral temple. In the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yunming said in "Before Wenjinong": "Today, people call it a house to go to the alley, and the common name is Tang."

In Jiangnan area, alley is a very common saying. However, it is the hutongs in Shanghai that are as famous as those in Beijing, and have distinctive regional characteristics, which have become unique representatives of residential architectural forms. Shanghai's "alley" is also called "lane", which, like Shikumen, is a product of modern times.

The alleys of Shanghai are full of fireworks of life. There are all kinds of storefronts, shops and even small factories, schools, cinemas and dance halls in the hutongs. Three religions and nine streams, all trades and professions, colorful life features and forms can all find corresponding images here. Lane is like an independent small society, which contains and records the joys and sorrows of Shanghai citizens. Alley is a closed and open space with unique architectural features and visual elements.

They not only have the flavor of fireworks life similar to Beijing Hutong, but also have the moist and mild southern flavor, forming the unique temperament of Shanghai Alley.