How to Visit Beijing Hutongs
A determined tourist can spend days or weeks trying to see everything there is to see in the Hutong neighborhoods of Beijing.
The Hutongs are traditional 1-story courtyard-style houses separated by narrow alleyways. Their history dates back to the Mongol Yuan Empire (1271-1368). These historical relics have become a draw for people who want to see the real side of China. Some of the Hutongs retain their medieval character, while some of them have been renovated into modern restaurants, accommodation, shops, and bars.
The following is a guide on how to get around and where to go when you visit.
How to Explore the Hutongs of Beijing
On Foot
Walking is always a great choice, just know that you might get tired of walking all over Beijing in the course of a day. Walking is the ideal way to explore 1 Hutong or a small area. Walkers can easily take a tricycle taxi or a normal taxi to visit different Hutong neighborhoods.
Bicycle
Bicycling provides a speedier experience than walking, especially between from Hutong to Hutong. It takes a bit of bravery though, not everyone is comfortable cycling in Beijing traffic. E-bikes are an option.
Rickshaw Tricycle
For a uniquely Chinese experience, visitors can have a local rickshaw-tricycle taxi driver take them from place to place. This is a great way to see some of the things that you might miss on your own while conserving energy.
Where to Go?
1. Nanluoguxiang
Perhaps the most touristic, but also one of the best-preserved, Nanluguoxiang Hutong has something for everyone.
Bars, cafes, shops, live music, fine food, and more await. Stepping off of the main street onto the side-alleys will yield great results too. Great Leap Brewery (a Chinese craft beer company) is stashed off of Nanluguoxiang, in the Doujiao Hutong, there are also some other themed bars, for those looking for something different.
Of course, visitors can see the local houses and traditional architecture, and handicrafts/Chinese food restaurants.
Walking north, Nanluguoxiang becomes Beiluguoxiang, which is a similar vibe, but less touristy and busy.
How to get there:
Take line 6 or 8 to Nanluoxiang Metro Station (南锣鼓巷站). It’s right out of exit E.
2. Guozijian Street
Visitors looking for architecture and history, look no further. Guozijian has numerous structures dating back to medieval times. This is the Hutong to go to see Chinese imperial buildings.
The Confucius temple at Guozijian was built in 1302, the Guozijian (Imperial College) was constructed in 1906, and the Yonghegong (Lama Temple) was constructed in 1694.
How to get there:
Take subway line 2 or line 5 to Yonghegong Lama Temple Metro Station (雍和宫站).
3. Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street
This unusually-named street (pronounced Yandai Xiejie in Chinese) is one of the oldest of the Hutongs. The name comes from a once plentiful supply of tobacco pipes on this thoroughfare, with one shop prominently displaying an enormous sign depicting a giant tobacco pipe….and the name has stuck since Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799).
Once it was a place where shops could hold jewels and artifacts sold by overthrown nobility after the 1911 revolution. Commercialism was shut down by the Communist Party in the 1950s and the area converted to residential housing. In the mid-2000s, it was reconstructed in its historical position. Now it’s a shopping district for traditional Asian items from near and afar- Tibetan costumes, Yunnan crafts, Mao kitsch, traditional Indian clothing, etc.
This street is now famous for its shops (of course), but more importantly, the plethora of cafes that run up and down it. Additionally, there are plenty of restaurants featuring various Asian foods, including Taiwanese and Korean. Visitors can also come here for Beijing’s signature local dishes, like donkey meat sandwiches and stewed pork liver soup.
Finally, Yandai Xiejie is great to explore thanks to its location. It is right at the south end of Dashibei Hutong, which goes to the famous Drum Tower West Avenue (Gulou Xi Dajie). To the west is Silver Ingot Bridge, with Houhai Bars Street across the bridge.
How to get there:
Take subway line 8 to Shichihai (什刹海站). Walk north from any of the exits, you will find Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street.)
4. Mao’er Hutong
Another Hutong for lovers of the ancient and the grand, Mao’er contains the houses of many former VIPs of China. A grand secretary of the Emperor, a famous warlord from the last days of the Chinese empire, and the last Empress of China all had houses in this district.
It’s also close to the Drum Tower, Keyuan Garden, and Ju’er and Nanluogu Xiang (two more Hutongs).
How to get there: Take subway line 8 to Shichihai (什刹海站). It’s to the East.
Some More Good Hutongs to Visit
Wudaoying Hutong
East meets Wes; here there are hostels, hotels, restaurants, bars, and other amenities aimed at foreigners who are visiting and living in Beijing.
The 8 Hutongs
This cluster of well-preserved neighborhoods was once a Beijing nightlife hot spot- over 200 years ago.
Nanluogu
Willow-lined streets and nice restaurants make for great walking, cycling, and eating.
Liulichang Street
The former royal kilns provided glass for the emperors’ buildings and art and made many of the antiques the nobility had. This street, called Liulichang, still operates and is a great place to find calligraphy, glassworks, and antiques.
Dongxijiaomin
Famous for its old foreign historical buildings, Donxijiaomin was next to a river port where food farmed in the south was unloaded for Beijing. The foreign constructions are relics of the Boxer Rebellion- in the aftermath of which all Chinese residents were kicked out of Dongxijiaomin.
Tailor-Make a Beijing Hutong Tour
Wanna take a trip to China and see these charming hutongs? You can get inspiration from Recommended Hutong Tour Routes.
China Travel can also customize an unforgettable hutong trip tailored to your budget and interests, saving you time, money, and hassle. Please feel free to run your tour ideas by us!