Hutongs and Courtyards in Beijing

Chinese Name: 北京的胡同和庭院
English Name: Hutongs and Courtyards
Type: Beijing culture & Famous scenic spots in Beijing, Old Beijing, Chinese traditional culture
Best Time: All Year Around
Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-3 hour
Opening Hours: All day
Ticket: most of them are free.

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What is Hutongs and Courtyards in Beijing?

A hutong is a lane or alley formed by traditional courtyard compounds lining both sides. These hutongs range from little alleys 40 centimeters wide to streets 10 meters wide.

The composition that line the lanes and alleysare called “siheyuan” . The word means: ‘four joined-together courtyard.’ They are old buildings arranged on four sides around a courtyard, and the buildings and the courtyard are enclosed by a wall. Hutong is the vein of the city.

Why is Hutongs and Courtyards so Special?

Sitting on a primitive rickshaw or riding a bicycle through hutong alleys, you can experience the most authentic old Beijing hutong culture.

History of Hutongs and Courtyards

In the past, Beijing has hundreds of courtyards around the Forbidden City, and the lanes between courtyards stretched out in all four directions, connecting the different kinds of courtyards in the city. Originally formed in the Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368), Hutongs welcomed their heyday during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 – 1911), when the number significantly increased to 2,076. It is said that by 1949 there were as many as 3,250 Hutongs. But with the passage of time, and the requirement for city construction, the number of them has fallen dramatically. In 2003, only 1,500 were left, and now no more than 1,000 remain and a majority of the existing ones have been transformed into tourist attractions associated with street food, shopping, and bars. Thus, Hutong protection becomes an urgent issue for modern people.

Famous Hutongs in Beijing

Dongmianhua Hutong

There are many quadrangles hidden in the Dongmianhua Hutong. Many small courtyards are houses with some modern flavor.

Nanluoguxiang

Nanluogu Hutong, 786 meters long and 8 meters wide, is the busiest and most fashionable Hutong district in Beijing. This Hutong was once inhabited by Ming Dynasty civil servants, Qing Dynasty queens, and some literati painters. Yuan Dynasty (1267) was completed in the same period. It is the only checkerboard traditional residential area with the largest scale, the highest grade and the most abundant resources that completely preserves Yuan Dynasty hutong courtyard.

Dongjiaomin Lane

Dongjiaomin Lane is titled the longest hutong in Beijing.This alley is famous because it had embassies in the late Qing dynasty.  Dongjiaomin Lane was focal point of a number of foreign legations from 1861 to 1959, which meant Britain, France, america, russia, japan, and germany.now, it is the longest alley in old beijing. 

Mao’er Hutong

Mao’er Hutong is among the ten great hutongs in Beijing. . This alley is famous for its old Beijing features and traditional local food. A lot of celeb rities have lived here, such as Wan Rong, the last empress; If you want to taste the flavor of old Beijing, Mao’er Hutong would be a good choice. Going through hundreds of years, it still preserves the original style. The construction, people’s activities and food are just like the old days.

Guozijian Street

Guozijian Street is the only old street in the city that still has traditional arches. Guozijian Street is renowned for its old-time Beijing layout and architectures, the authentic native lifestyle, the Temple of Confucius and Guozijian (Imperial Academy).On both sides of the street, most of the structures are low and neat courtyards with grey walls and tiles. The gates that are painted red together with black bricks, bird cages hanging in the trees and the courtyards, are typical of old Beijing.

Top Things to Do in Beijing’s Hutongs

• Take a hutong tour by rickshaw: This is a classic way to glance at traditional hutongs in a short time and has been a must-do activity in Beijing for years.
• Visit a family’s home in a hutong and learn about an authentic Chinese dish, some cooking skills, and about health philosophies: Join a family in their typical Beijing home for lunch and learn about Chinese cooking and their health philosophies. Be come an expert who can tell authentic Chinese cooking from dishes served by best-selling overseas Chinatown restaurants.
• Explore the hutongs at night to hunt for traditional Beijing snacks and eateries: Follow your guide to discover special eateries in the hutongs at nigh t, and to find snacks that are extremely popular with both Beijing locals and expats.
• Discover the hutongs by foot, get lost, and travel back to ancient times: For walking tours and to taste Beijing street snacks, we recommend three authentic hutong walking routes. The first route is a One Day Hutong Walking Tour of Beijing that goes through two popular hutongs, and the other two routes are Half Day Hutong Walking Tours. Learn more about best hutong walking tours& routes and best hutong restaurants.
• Savor interesting shopfronts along hip hutongs: There are thousands of interesting shops and brand-name stores where you can bargain for trinkets and a variety of interesting items.
• Enjoy quality drinks in hutong cafés and bars: Dine and relax in teahouses and hutong cafés.The hutongs are enjoyed for their authentic dining experien ces and hutong food. The teahouses or cafes are places you can rest. See The Best Cafes in Beijing’s Hutongs.

How to get to Hutong Beijing

Visitors can take subway line 8 to Shichahai or subway line 2 or line 7 to Dashilar. Then you can hire a rickshaw to guide you to tour around nearby Hutongs.