Despite the crowd, most people get around Qianmen alleys on bicycle or electrical bikes. The overall sensation is of absolute silence, except for the sound that comes from people clearing their throats or spitting. This habit is deeply routed among Chinese, specially senior citizens, and the government has been trying to eradicate this habit for several years now.
Noodles feels very proud of living in Qiamnen, in the heart of the city away from cars noise. He wouldn’t move to a modern area with skyscrapers, he prefers to stay in this Hutong where he his evolved trying to fulfil his dream of enlarging his business.