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Houhai and the Hutongs of Beijing
A Beijing Journey Tours Personal Recommendation, Walk With Us |
Siheyuan, Near Confucius Temple |
Siheyuan, Traditional Courtyard Home |
A Beijing hutong is the city at its most charming. It is a place where history comes alive, and you can move away from the hustle and bustle of the modern city of Beijing. Take a journey back in time. Set out on foot, or rent a bike; turn into a hutong and see what happens. |
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A Quiet Retreat in a Busy Hutong |
Reflecting the culture of the average Beijingers, hutongs are the residential neighborhoods which formed the heart of old Beijing. These grey-tiled homes are not architectural wonders, but they are enchanting
havens that take you back to a quieter time. |
Decorative Doorway of a Siheyuan, Houhai |
Phoenix, Symbol of Good Luck |
Hutongs are narrow streets and alleys that are commonly associated with old Beijing. The alleys are formed by lines of siheyuan, which are traditional, one-story courtyard homes. Neighborhoods were formed by joining one siheyuan to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another. The word hutong refers to these neighborhoods. |
Cozy Restaurant Along the Lake in Houhai |
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Fengshui dictates that the alleys run east and west so that the main entrance of the siheyuan faces south, providing protection from evil spirits and also benefiting from the best sunlight. |
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Silver Ingot Bridge, Hohai |
A good place to start a tour of the hutongs is near the Drum and Bell Towers. Here can be found hutongs that are several hundred years old. It is possible to take a pedicab ride here, but a walk allows you to absorb all that is happening around you. You will get to see a Beijing few tourists ever see. |
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Quiet Neighborhood Street |
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Houhai, which is part of Beijing's city-center lake district, is also located in the hutong area. Although it is definitely a tourist destination, and a trendy night spot, it possesses a charm of its own. Weeping willow trees line the waters' edge, and shops and restaurants surround the lake. Take a quiet stroll or pedicab ride during the day. Return at night to take a boat ride and enjoy the lively night scene. |
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