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Interesting sound clips recorded in different places of Beijing. A great deal of them can no longer be heard in daily life, even for native Beijingers.
Yaohe-Knife Sharpening Service
Mo Jianzi Qiang Caidao, traditional scissor and knife sharpening service that no longer exist today. People offering the service always travel randomly among Hutongs carrying Zhenjinkui (a device made of 5 iron plates representing Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth to make sound), and yaohe (peddler’s call in a specific tone) about their service.
This seller is “yaoheing” about his Aiwowo, a traditional pie became popular in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 A.D.). It’s made of glutinous rice with smashed sesame, walnut, hawthorn, and sugor stuffing. I’m sure you can still find it in food shops and supermarkets like Dao Xiang Cun.
