Beijing, unique blending of the traditional and the modern

Editor’s note: This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up, and huge changes have been made in Beijing, capital of China, over the past 40 years. We have invited 40 foreign experts to participate in a series of interviews named “New Era, New Insight” jointly hosted by GMW.cn（The official website of Guangming Daily） and the Information Office of Beijing Municipality and share their “Beijing Stories”. The following is a part of the interview with Greek photographer George Doupas.

Greek photographer George Doupas (Photo source: Guangming Online)

My name is George Doupas. And I’m a Greek photographer living in Beijing. My first visit was in 2005 when I came like a tourist. It was strong experiment for me. Because it was all new to me: new streets, new buildings, new people.

It had a very strong impact on me.Since 2005 until 2009, I have been coming to Beijing like a tourist. I came here many times, maybe 3 or 4 times every year. But in 2009, I married and I moved to Beijing.

Since then, I’m here. I considered myself a citizen of Beijing. The changes in Beijing are huge and numerous. And everything happens very fast. For example, when I first came to Beijing, there were only 3 lines of subway. Now there are twenty and more are coming.

Also there are many new buildings. I also find many new parks. And the biggest change I consider fantastic is the improvement of the air quality. Because before it was not really very bad, but now it’s much, much better.

Both countries and both cities are very old. Athens has a history of 5,000 years, and Beijing has a history of 3,000 years as a city, and more than 800 years as the capital of China.

Beijing is packed with historical sites. No wonder it has more UNESCO world heritages sites than any other cities in the world. There are always something new to see. It’s like a living museum, a great place to explore.

Preservation in both cities is very strong. In Athens, historical sites have been constantly repaired. In Beijing, I have seen many changes, many improvements in the historical sites. I have watched the Forbidden City in many times have been repaired.

And culture, activities about Chinese culture, Chinese traditions are very often in Beijing. I personally have visited many of them. In 2008, I have been in Beijing. And I watched the whole ceremony. The whole ceremony was amazing.

I have to admit properly one of the best opening ceremonies in the world. The Chinese character was very, very impressive. Also the flying man with Olympic flame was very impressive.

I like traditional culture, traditional art. I often visit activities in different part of Beijing. Or I can go by myself visit Hutong street life, the original Beijing life which I can see only in Hutong. Beijing is a blend, a mixture of the past and the future.

There is, I found personally, a great balance of the past and modern architecture. I found it very unique.