Beijing Then and Now: Prudence and Laura Johnson-Hill

For our October Issue, we invited local personalities to recreate photographs that inspired fond memories. Here are the stories behind those snapshots and those Beijingers, in their own words.

Prudence Johnson-Hill and Laura Johnson-Hill, Nanluoguxiang, 2004

Prudence Johnson-Hill and Laura Johnson-Hill, Nanluoguxiang, 2011

THEN

What year was it? 2004, April/May.

Where's the original location? On the steps outside a Xiaomaibu on Nanluoguxiang, a Xiaomaibu that is now Plastered T-shirts.

Who is in the photo? Prudence Johnson-Hill and Laura Johnson-Hill.

What were you doing there? We were going to look at a courtyard place to rent, that we soon-after moved into. This Xiaomaibu was right outside the entrance. We had just met the owner of the Xiaomaibu - Cui Ayi - who is now one of the Ayis in the Plastered T-shirts shop on Nanluoguxiang.

What were you doing in Beijing? Laura was working as an editor. Prudence was 3 years old.

NOW

Who is in the photo? Prudence Johnson-Hill and Laura Johnson-Hill.

What are you now doing in Beijing? Laura is still an editor.... and Prudence is in Year 7 (Grade 6), 11 years old, at Harrow International School.

What has changed for you? Laura: married, four children, moved from Nanluoguxiang. Prudence: Grown... a lot. Three sisters, moved schools a few times, moved house once.

What has changed in the city? A lot! We saw Nanluoguxiang go from being a quaint alleyway with a few people passing by to go for haircuts or to buy vegetables etc, to a bustling hot spot in Beijing, attracting both local and international tourists... fashion, breweries, restaurants.. and more, all on offer there. It was really an incredible transformation that we literally witnessed at our doorstep.

Click here to see the October issue of the Beijinger in full.