Photos by johan_tanying : on the map, in Google Earth (KML)

The farmers have been very busy constructing new houses just to see them demolished very soon. But in this way they get more compensation which is calculated according to square meters!

The hill had recently been carved into by farmers selling sand and earth for construction, and at the same time building more floor space for themselves and thus being able to get higher compensation from the imminent demolition. Now most of the hill is gone anyway...

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/6951572 this is how the third floor looked like

I missed that it was a renovation project.Interesting even if the detailing of the finished building is so-so. Anyway, I found a webpage on the issue: http://www.e-architect.co.uk/beijing/beijing_publishing_house.htm

The building is (as before) to be the office for the Beijing Publishing House. Architects: Studio Pei Zhu.

They were actually for the priests from the Methodist Episcopal Church.

I think it is the same house as the one to the lower left in this picture! http://lh5.ggpht.com/_erwMtilrMUE/SE-R4Si8QoI/AAAAAAAABgY/YbJWmV2_eKk/IMG_1270.jpg

Johan, "new" and "old" can live together! Nice shot!

Nice contrast between old and new!

A more recent (November 2005) photo is here: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/5180876

The row of houses are indeed still there, but several wooden doors have been replaced and the general appearance is more dilapidated. But if things have changed for the better the last couple of years, I will happily go and have a look next time in QZ!

This IS the right location. There were no houses built in the fruit tree grove around the water tower when the picture was taken.