Heir to an imperial past, a city of fascinating architecture, Peking is unquestionably one of the world’s most exceptional cities. Since the fourteenth century, the capital of China has hidden its green alleyways and courtyards behind colossal walls. With the arrival of westerners, however, and the end of the empire, Peking has entered the modern era in full force. The walls have come down, the highways emerged, skyscrapers risen. With this miraculous economic revival, the old city is fast becoming a modern megalopolis. For several years now, this radical and frenetic transformation has devastated and undermined the efforts of those wishing to preserve the old city and its contribution to our world’s cultural heritage.

Charles Chauderlot, among this group, arrived in Peking for the first time in 1997, eager to explore the ancient city, only to become witness to its unraveling. Walking the ancient streets, he began drawing and painting ancient facades, bridges and watching places, sacred pavilions, temples, and pagodas, before their destruction. Added to these are historical details and observations by China's greatest 20th century writer, Lao She (1899-1966).