Beijing's hutongs are full of delightful surprises, where above rows of gray-tiled roofs lies the rhythm of everyday life, full of history and warmth. Step through these historic alleyways and listen to cultural echoes spanning more than a thousand years.
Zhaozhuizi Hutong
Zhaozhuizi Hutong in Xicheng District has recently reopened to the public after being renovated. Stretching just over 100 meters, the hutong is lined with a variety of unique establishments. Visitors can explore traditional intangible cultural heritage, sample local snacks, browse old photographs in a compact exhibition hall, and capture artistic moments at boutique shops. The blend of historic charm and modernity ensures that every snapshot tells a story.
Recommended stops:
Zhao Gallery, Qingxiuge - Tianqiao Aesthetics Lab, Zhiruan Digital Art Gallery, Joybeans Coffee
Dongjiaominxiang
Around 1921, Dongjiaominxiang formed an European-style legation quarter. Today, it is designated as a municipal cultural heritage conservation area in Beijing, featuring a well-preserved cluster of European-style buildings dating from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.
Recommended stops:
China Court Museum, St. Michael's Catholic Church, Site of French Post Office
Zhuanta Hutong
Just to the west of Xisi Crossroads in Xicheng District, Zhuanta Hutong has witnessed the lives of modern China's most influential literary figures, including Lu Xun, Lao She, and Zhang Henshui.
Recommended stops:
Wansong Laoren Pagoda, "Root of Hutong" Cultural Experience Center, Mahua Theater, Geological Museum of China, Former Residence of Lu Xun, Former Residence of Zhang Henshui
Nanluoguxiang
In the Jiaodaokou area, to the east of Beijing's Central Axis, Nanluoguxiang is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, with a history of more than 700 years. The area still retains its traditional Beijing style, full of culture and history. Along the shopping street, visitors can find shops showcasing traditional crafts such as cloisonné enamelware, dough figurines, and fur monkey figurines (despite the name, these are made of sloughed exoskeletons of cicadas), all part of Beijing's rich intangible cultural heritage.
Recommended stops:
Yaoji Chaogan, Fangzhuanchang No. 69, Xian Laoman (Gulou Branch), Nanluo Theater, Yuhe Ancient Waterway Relic Site
Wudaoying Hutong
Located near the North 2nd Ring Road, Wudaoying Hutong begins just to the east of Yonghegong Lama Temple Subway Station. You will see how everyday street life unfolds for locals, while in the distance, you can see red walls with golden rooftops of Yonghegong Lama Temple. Bustling street life and quiet temple views all blend together, capturing Beijing's past and present in a single frame.
Recommended stops:
King's Joy (Yonghegong Branch), Fullding Coffee, Yonghegong Lama Temple, Confucian Temple and the Imperial College Museum
(Source: Official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)
