I know that at first glance stories about weasels thriving in Beijing's hutongs might not seem very plausible or interesting. A breed of weasel adapting to Beijing's hallmark hutong alleyways? Sounds like a bad joke. Especially for those of us that experienced the right of passage "Snipe Hunting". However, you know this one is true because the Chinese government officially doesn't acknowledge it. The image of a fleeting weasel scurrying through the hutongs at night has taken on a cult mystic for many Beijingers.
Let me state on record that they do actually exist. The real reason this topic is making an appearance in the Beijing Mysteries series is that most expats don't know they exist and the government officially doesn't recognize that they exist. Most people have seen a hutong weasel, but many might not know it. This is due to the fact they look like long yellow cats. Usually the pointed nose of the weasel is only difference. They often live in downspouts and pipes, likely due to Beijing's scarce rainfall. Most longtime Beijingers have a good weasel story or two. Supposedly it isn't unusual for them to find their way into hutong houses, particularly if you live on the ground floor.
The elusive hutong weasel has had a lasting impact on Beijing's hutongs.....at least until they tear the rest of them down. Many of the locals say seeing a weasel is good luck. One travel agency even had a contest to see who could snap the best weasel picture. This reputable news source wasn't able to secure a satisfactory photo of the creature. Despite being unphotogenic, the weasel population has spawned its own subgenre of expat folk tales. Beijing's most prominent ( and as far as I know only) square dance band takes the name Hutong Yellow Weasels in honor of the local mascot. So the next time you're strolling through the hutongs at night and see a yellow cat run by, remember it might be one of the city's famous hutong weasels.
Let me state on record that they do actually exist. The real reason this topic is making an appearance in the Beijing Mysteries series is that most expats don't know they exist and the government officially doesn't recognize that they exist. Most people have seen a hutong weasel, but many might not know it. This is due to the fact they look like long yellow cats. Usually the pointed nose of the weasel is only difference. They often live in downspouts and pipes, likely due to Beijing's scarce rainfall. Most longtime Beijingers have a good weasel story or two. Supposedly it isn't unusual for them to find their way into hutong houses, particularly if you live on the ground floor.
The elusive hutong weasel has had a lasting impact on Beijing's hutongs.....at least until they tear the rest of them down. Many of the locals say seeing a weasel is good luck. One travel agency even had a contest to see who could snap the best weasel picture. This reputable news source wasn't able to secure a satisfactory photo of the creature. Despite being unphotogenic, the weasel population has spawned its own subgenre of expat folk tales. Beijing's most prominent ( and as far as I know only) square dance band takes the name Hutong Yellow Weasels in honor of the local mascot. So the next time you're strolling through the hutongs at night and see a yellow cat run by, remember it might be one of the city's famous hutong weasels.
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