BJ-HT01: Beijing Shichahai Hutong Tour

Comprised of Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai Lakes, Shichahai Area is the most renowned historical and cultural quarter in Beijing.

Join us, you could experience the local residents' daily life by tracing the age-old hutongs and courtyards. The ancient imperial mansions, celebrities' former residences, and the trendy boutiques and bars along the narrow alleys will show you both ancient and modern glamour of Beijing. In the area, also scatter many restaurants and snacks stores, where you can enjoy delicious Beijing food from imperial dishes to folk snacks.

 This is a guided tour by eco-friendly public transport. If you need a private car, feel free to contact our travel consultants to arrange it for you.

Beihai North Subway Station – Sanzuoqiao Hutong - Prince Gong's Mansion - Yangfang Hutong - Houhai Park - Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling – Guanghua Temple - Ya'er Hutong - Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street (Yandai Xiejie) - Bell and Drum Towers - Shichahai Subway Station

Today at the scheduled time, our guide will wait for you at your hotel lobby. After meeting you and self-introduction, he or she will escort you to the starting point of this Beijing Hutong tour, Beihai North subway station on line 6. Upon arrival, get out from Exit B and walk north along Sanzuoqiao Hutong to Prince Gong's Mansion. 

It is one of the best preserved prince mansions in China. The guide will show you around inside for 2-3 hours. In addition to luxury architectures, it preserves many priceless treasures, including the “Fu” character stele. The “Fu”, meaning “blessings” was written by Emperor Kangxi (1654-1722) for his grandmother as a 60 years old birthday gift and reputed the “No.1 Fu Under the Heaven”. The stele is hidden in a cave in the backyard garden. 

Afterwards, at the west side of the mansion, walk northward along Liuyin Street for 550 meters (600 yards) to the crossing. Turn left onto the Yangfang Hutong, and walk west to Houhai Park by waterside. If interested, you can rent a boat to the man-made Mallard Island, and relax in the natural tranquility while watching the ducks playing in the water.

From the Houhai Park, follow the Shichahai lake bank for about 200 meters (220 yards) westwards and then turn north onto Houhai Xiyan Street, along which there are many restaurants, bars and cafés. The guide will leave you some time for lunch, rest and refreshment after a long walk.

After, continue to stroll along the lake bank and then turn right to Houhai Beiyan Street. The Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling is on this street, where you will spend 1-2 hours strolling around. This is a delicate residence with pavilions, corridor, dwelling houses and more. The old plants including pomegranate trees, midget crabapple, and Chinese scholar trees are also worth of your attention. 

After getting out, walk eastwards and turn north onto the Ya'er Hutong. There is a Guanghua Temple along it. Follow the guide to have a stroll inside and if interested, offer some incenses to make a wish. 

After, you will get to Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street (Yandai Xiejie). It is the most prosperous commercial hutong in Shichahai Area, with many bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops. You can find all kinds of traditional artifacts and other interesting things on this street. 

Di'anmen Outer Street is at the eastern end of Yandai Xiejie. From here, walk north straight to visit the Bell and Drum Towers. In ancient times, people told time by ringing the bell in the morning and beating the drum at night. Bell and Drum Towers were built to hold the bell and drum. The bell in the Beijing Bell Tower is the biggest ancient bronze bell all over China. 

About 200 meters (220 yards) south from the Drum Tower, is the Shichahai Station of subway line 8, the ending point of this guided Beijing hutong tour. At last, the guide will send you back to your hotel by subway line 8 directly, or connecting to other lines or city buses. Hope you have had a great time with us!