SIGHTSEEING: HUTONG WALKS
2 min readAlleyways(hutong and courtyard homes(siheyuan) have been the signature features of Beijing’s urban landscape since the Ming dynasty. These homes traditionally enclosed courtyard, but many have been subdivided in the alleyways and of many courtyard homes discourages heavy to live their 1borhoods is less hurried than on sense of community. The pace of life in these neighb on the street, tosteringa Beijing’s broad modern avenues the noises less grating.
The hutongs are like villages less grating. As you wander through them, you may feel as though you have stepped you’ll discover if you take the walks described below. Besides winding you along some of Beijing’s most beautiful hutongs, these walks will take you to some of the capital’s best sights. We suggest going on foot since this will allow you to soak in the atmosphere, move Renting a bicycle is also a good option this way you can cover more ground. Bikes for rent can be found at several prominent places in the Qianhai/Houhai areas. You’11 have to leave a deposit, but the hourly fees are very reasonable. Tandem bicycles are also available. If you’re not into biking, you can hire a pedi-cab. One reputable pedi-cab company that operates tours in the Qianhai and Houhai areas is Hutong Pedi-cab Tours (Beijing hutong you,). Tours cost RMB18 per person and leave every day at 9am and 2pm; the tours last 2. 5 to 3 hours. They start on Qianhai Xi Jie just across the street from the north gate of Baihai Park; the company’s riders wear distinctive orange vests and badges.
