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In Beijing during winter or early spring, some residents engage in a tradition dating back to the Qing Dynasty where they play fetch with birds. This tradition, which originated between the 17th century and early 20th century, involves blowing plastic beads into the air through carbon tubes for migratory wutong birds to catch and return in exchange for a treat. Only around 50 to 60 people are believed to still practice this tradition in modern Beijing, with Xie Yufeng, a 39-year-old cook, being one of them. Xie and his friends gather near Workers’ Stadium to play fetch with their wutong birds, a process that takes four to five months to domesticate and train the birds for the game.

The practice of playing fetch with birds in Beijing is deeply rooted in history, with the tradition believed to have been popularized by Manchu nobles living around the Forbidden City during the Qing Dynasty. The birds, often wutong species with distinctive yellow beaks, are domesticated and trained to fetch plastic beads in exchange for snacks. This process requires patience and dedication from the players, as they gradually train the birds to respond to the beads. Residents of Beijing’s traditional alleyways, known as hutong, continue to raise birds in cages and may release them in late spring to migrate back to the northeast, only to catch or purchase new birds the following fall. The tradition of playing fetch with birds is a unique and enduring aspect of Beijing’s cultural heritage.

Passersby in Beijing during the winter or early spring months may stumble upon groups of residents playing fetch with birds, a tradition that has been practiced in the city for centuries. The players gather near Workers’ Stadium to engage in the activity, using plastic beads and carbon tubes to interact with their winged playmates, often wutong birds. Residents like Xie Yufeng and his friends dedicate time and effort to domesticate and train the birds for the game, rewarding them with snacks for successfully retrieving the beads. This tradition, which originated during the Qing Dynasty, is a rare and cherished aspect of Beijing’s cultural identity that only a small number of individuals continue to practice.

Xie Yufeng, a cook in Beijing, is one of the few residents who still practice the tradition of playing fetch with birds, a custom dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Xie and his friends spend time training and domesticating their wutong birds to participate in the game, using plastic beads as a means of interaction. Patience and dedication are essential qualities for players engaging in this activity, as they work towards building a bond with their feathered companions and rewarding them for their efforts. The tradition of playing fetch with birds in Beijing is a testament to the city’s rich cultural history and the enduring practices that have been passed down through generations.

The practice of playing fetch with birds in Beijing has its roots in the Qing Dynasty, when Manchu nobles around the Forbidden City popularized the tradition as a pastime. Today, residents in Beijing’s hutong neighborhoods continue to raise birds in cages and release them to migrate back to the northeast in the late spring, only to catch or purchase new ones the following fall. The process of training birds to fetch plastic beads for treats requires time and patience, with players gradually teaching the birds to respond to the game. This tradition, which is cherished by a small number of individuals in modern Beijing, is a unique and cultural practice that reflects the city’s historical heritage and the enduring traditions that have been preserved over the years.

In the bustling city of Beijing, a tradition dating back to the Qing Dynasty continues to be practiced by a small number of residents who play fetch with birds in the winter or early spring months. These individuals, like Xie Yufeng, dedicate time and effort to training and domesticating their wutong birds for the game, using plastic beads as a means of interaction. The tradition, rooted in the history of Beijing and popularized by Manchu nobles during the Qing Dynasty, is a unique and cherished aspect of the city’s cultural identity. With only around 50 to 60 people still practicing this tradition in modern Beijing, playing fetch with birds serves as a reminder of the city’s rich cultural heritage and the enduring traditions that have been passed down through generations.

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