Hutong, with a history as long as that of Beijing city, is a major feature of Beijing. Hutong first appeared during the Yuan Dynasty, and most of today's Hutongs were formed during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. According to experts, the word "Hutong" came from Mongolian language, meaning "a well". Hutong has always been the living place for ordinary residents since ancient times and it's said to be a representative of Beijing civilian culture. However, with the increase of the population, many old Hutongs have disappeared to make way for modem but not characterized high-rise buildings.