BJ-HT04: Half-Day Beijing Dongsi Hutongs Exploration

Join us to explore the historical Dongsi Hutongs! They were generally formed in the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368). In the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911), many royal members and celebrities once lived here.

There are altogether 14 west-east hutong alleys, named Dongsi Toutiao (1st hutong alley), Dongsi Ertiao (2nd hutog alley)… till Dongsi Shisitiao (14th hutong alley). Not like in the famous Shichahai and Nanluoguxiang (South Gong and Drum Lane), most hutongs and courtyards here have not been renovated, but less commercialized and giving more traces of the past.

It takes about half a day to tour the Dongsi Hutongs and you can choose either morning or afternoon. The day before the tour, our guide will contact you to final confirm the time and location to pick you up.

Today after meeting you, the guide will lead you to take subway line 5 or line 6 to Dongsi, get out from exit B to find the Dongsi Hutongs to the north. If it is more convenient to take city buses, then the guide will lead you there by bus. The buses having a stop nearby include 58, 84, 101, 106, 109, 110, 116, and 128. 

 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.

Upon arrival, the guide will accompany you to tour around the hutongs one by one on foot from south to north and below are some of the royal mansions, former residences of celebrities and other historical remains worth your attention. 

Museum of Dongsi Hutongs

Location: No.77, Dongsi Sitiao
It is inside a classic courtyard, where visitors can know more about the traditional folk residence at a close range. It has three rows of houses facing the south, and each row is accompanied with west and east wings. The decorations on the gate, roofs and windows are very delicate, displaying old Beijingers’ positive attitudes towards life. Here, you can also learn the history of Dongsi and folk culture via videos, pictures, old items and various models, etc.  

Hengchangrui Store

Location: No.86, Dongsi Sitiao
This is a two-storey building adopting some western architectural elements, very unique among Chinese styles courtyards. It was a “shopping mall” 100 years ago, selling goods from western countries and leading the fashion trends back then. Customers could also take photos, enjoy delicious food and have other fun here. 

Nanxin Granaries

Location: No.22, Dongsi Shitiao
These are the imperial granaries in the Ming and Qing Dynasties with a history of over 600 years and currently the only existing imperial granaries all over China. 9 of them have been preserved. Nowadays, a theme block has been built there to introduce the ancient ways of transporting and storing grains to the public.   

Guanghecheng Grain Store

Loation: No. 47, Dongsi Shiyitiao 
Dongsi Shiyitiao Hutong was used to transport grains, so it is wider than other hutongs and it’s not surprising to find a grain store here. The stone plaque is still hanging there. But it is no longer selling grains, but a shop selling daily necessities. 

 Below are some famous sites in Dongsi Hutongs not open to tourists and you can only have a look from outside. If lucky, you may be allowed in by people working or living inside. 

Prince Fu’s Mansion

Location: No.137, Chaoyangmen Inner Street
Generally preserving its original layout and outlook, it is even larger than the well-known Prince Gong’s Mansion, extending for three Hutongs from Dongsi Toutiao in the south to Dongsi Santiao in the north. Its present front gate was built in the Republic of China in early 20th century, on Chaoyangmen Inner Street, the southern boundary of Dongsi Hutongs. It is now the offices of a few publishers and not open to tourists. 

Chongli Residence

Location: No. 63 & 65, Dongsi Liutiao
This was once the largest and best folk residence in Dongsi Hutongs, even the whole east area of Beijing. Although it is not highly ranked as royal prince mansions, the residence is delicately built and decorated. Nowadays, it is shared by several families and not very well protected. Fortunately, not too many additional buildings have been added like in other folk residences and courtyards there.  

Baoquanju Mint (East Branch)

Location: No.83, Dongsi Sitiao
This is the only existing ancient mint in Beijing. Nowadays, it is dwelled by several families and many extra architectures have been built, quite a mess. But its original layout can still be told apart. 

After the tour, the guide will send you back to your hotel by subway line 5 or buses no 3, 4, 13, 42, 82, 113, 115, 118 or others based on the location of your hotel. 

The Dongsi Hutongs are not far from Sanlitun, a popular destination for colorful night life among youngsters. If interested, our guide can also send you there by one of the buses mentioned above. After informing you how to go back, our guided service will then end here.