Beijing Hutong
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Beijing Hutong
Written by Matteo Updated Jun. 27, 2025
The Beijing Hutong (old lane) areas have a special and important position in the rich history and culture of Beijing.
It has been recorded that the earliest Beijing Hutong originated in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Residential houses were set up for high-ranking officials (usually a compound with a courtyard with one-story houses) side by side. Small alleys that run between courtyards for proper draught and daylight were the earliest hutongs.
Hutong was gradually adopted by old Beijing residents and has been handed down to the present. The houses built on each side of the Hutong are called Siheyuan (quadrangle), and are generally rectangular dwelling compounds, with buildings on four sides. Almost every quadrangle is surrounded by high walls.
Hutong is formed by quadrangles standing side by side along a straight passage. Hutong means a period of history, a cordial lifestyle, and even an "encyclopedia of Beijing". Most of the hutongs that remain today were built in the Ming and Qing resulted from the expansion of the imperial city.
The hutongs give a wonderful glimpse into the world of yesterday in Beijing. While visiting the Beijing Hutong, you can appreciate the dramatic changes that the rest of Beijing has undergone.
Best Time to Visit Beijing Hutongs
This Hutong area has its unique beauty in all seasons. Summer nights are great, and winter has fewer people. For photographers, winter, summer, and autumn will be the best seasons to take pictures. Winter and autumn are good seasons to visit the Hutong and take excellent photos. The Hutong at sunset is very beautiful.
Top 10 Hutongs in Beijing
Hutongs are typical lanes with houses built on each side, which are known as courtyards where the locals still live. Hutong is a unique form of community that exists only in China. It is one of the most distinctive features and a must-see attraction in Beijing. There are thousands of Hutongs in Beijing, with names and those without names, many of which were built in the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644), and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties. We list some of the most famous Hutongs that you shouldn't miss when visiting Beijing.
Nanluoguxiang
Nanluoguxiang is an 800-meter-long south-north alleyway, located between Di'anmendong Avenue and Gulou Avenue, east of Houhai, the northern part of the Dongcheng District.
As one of the best preserved Hutong areas in downtown Beijing, Nanluoguxiang is famous for its Hutong and courtyards (Siheyuan). There are many bars, cafes, and chic shops in Nanluoguxiang, which are all designed in classical Chinese Hutong style.
It is a mix of history, fashion, and culture, and it's a big hit with tourists, especially the younger generation. Dubbed another bar area besides Houhai Bar Street and Sanlitun Bar Street, Nanluoguxiang attracts thousands of visitors and locals every day.
Yandaixiejie (Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street)
Yandaixiejie is located near the Houhai, in the north of the Xicheng District. It measures 300 meters long, starting from Di'anmen Avenue in the east and ending at Shichahai Lake in the west.
Yandaixiejie, literally meaning "Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street", is one of the most age-old streets in Beijing which could be dating back to the Ming Dynasty.
The street originally got its name due to its shape, as the street goes from north-east to south-west, like a huge tobacco pouch. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), residents had a habit of smoking tobacco and opium. So Many tobacco stores opened at that time.
Today, you can still find many stores selling tobacco pouches, antiques, and all kinds of souvenirs, as well as cafes and bars with different styles on the street.
Liulichang Street
Liulichang Street is located near the Hepingmen (Peace Gate), south of Xicheng District.
As a cultural relics street, Liulichang Street is famous for collecting antiques and Chinese traditional treasures. It is one of the largest antique markets in China and a great place to go for the traditional "four treasures of the study": brush, ink, paper, and ink stone.
Today‘s Liulichang was renovated in the early 1980s. Shops and vendors link with each other and sell, exchange, and exhibit traditional Chinese antiques, and the scene makes the street fit for its origins.
There are many famous antique stores in Liulichang, while Rongbaozhai, Laixunge, and Yidege are the most renowned ones, which have run for hundreds of years. China Bookshop is another famous brand on the street. You can buy Chinese thread-bound books here, which cannot be easily found elsewhere.
Dongjiaominxiang
Dongjiaominxiang is the longest Hutong in Beijing, extending 1.5 kilometers from East Tian'anmen Square Road in the west to Chongwenmennei Avenue in the east.
Dongjiaominxiang Hutong had served as Beijing’s diplomatic center for hundreds of years. Many diplomatic buildings and embassies were established along this road. Its unique history has left the area with unique buildings exhibiting diverse architectural styles.
Xijiaominxiang
Xijiaominxiang is the western section of Jiaominxiang (Jiaomin Lane), which is next to Tiananmen and Qianmen, in the southern part of Xicheng District. Xijiaominxiang is larger than the average Hutong, which winds about 1,000 meters long and 10 meters wide.
Dongjiaominxiang was famous for its diplomatic function, while Xijiaominxiang played a more important role as a banker. Many international or domestic banks were likely to choose Xijiaominxiang as the site for their headquarters, making it the city‘s original financial street. Visitors can still see the architecture of old banks there.
Mao'er Hutong
Mao’er Hutong, literally meaning Hat or Hat Maker Lane, dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Hutong runs west to east from Dianmenwai Avenue to Nanluogu Xiang in the Jiaodaokou sub-district, Dongcheng District.
Mao‘er Hutong contains many traditional private gardens and famous former residences, which are identified as cultural relics, none of which are officially open to the public. No. 35 & 37 of Mao’er Hutong is called Empress Gate, which is the former residence of Wan Rong (1906-1946), the empress of the last Qing Emperor, Pu Yi.
The No. 11, Mao'er Hutong is Militarist's Mansion, which was the former residence of Feng Guozhang, one of the major participants in the nightmarish warlord period (1916-1928) in 20th-century Chinese history.
Guozijian Street
Guozijian Street, formerly known as Chengxian Street, is located in the northwest of Dongcheng District, starting from Yonghegong Avenue in the east to Andingmennei Avenue in the west.
Lama Temple lies next to Guozijian Street. It is one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Beijing. With Many local people praying here, the perfumed scent of burning incense fills the air, making the street seem both classical and mysterious.
Jinyu Hutong (Gold Fish Hutong)
Jinyu Hutong (Gold Fish Hutong) is situated on the eastern side of Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District.
Lying next to the commercial area of Wangfujing, Jinyu Hutong is more like a commercial street today, which houses many big brand hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers. The renowned Jixiang Theatre, Dong'an Market, and Donglaishun Restaurant are located there.
Ju'er Hutong
Ju'er Hutong is located in the northwest Dongcheng District, stretching over 400 meters long, from Jiaodaokou South Road in the east and Nanluoguxiang in the west.
Ju‘er Hutong is an alleyway street where Rong Lu, a provincial governor and right-hand man of Empress Dowager Cixi, once lived. The No. 3, 5, and 7 houses are the former residence.
Ju’er Hutong is blessed by the tranquil atmosphere of Siheyuan, compounds with houses around a courtyard with old Beijing features. Today, it is a popular housing neighborhood among foreigners.
Bada Hutong (Eight Great Lanes)
Bada Hutong means the eight great Hutongs, but it doesn‘t mean eight only, but means many. Bada Hutong is situated closely around the Dashila area of Xicheng District and consists of Baishun Hutong, Yanzhi Hutong, Hanjia Hutong, Shaaxixiang Hutong, Shitou Hutong, Wangguangfuxiejie Hutong, Zhujia Hutong, Lishamao Hutong, and many other Hutongs.
Bada Hutong first emerged in the 18th century. It was formerly notorious as Beijing’s largest red light district in its history, the spot for brothels. The structure of each brothel varied, and all were different from ordinary houses. Today, much of the area has been demolished and rebuilt, but you can still feel some color of the old Beijing there.
Hutongs in Xicheng and Dongcheng District
Visiting the Hutong has become very popular as part of a Beijing tour. Although they share a common name, many Hutongs have their own story and unique characteristics.
The oldest and most well-known are in the Xicheng and Dongcheng Districts. We will explore the Hutongs in Dongcheng and Xicheng District and try to explain the unique qualities of each.
Hutongs in Xicheng District
Hutongs in Xicheng District are major grounded near Shicha Lake and Houhai. Most buildings in this area are Shiheyuan (courtyard houses) with Chinese traditional decoration and relics of temples, mansions of monarchs, and governmental offices.
They are surrounded by some ancient city gates like Desheng Gate, Xizhi Gate, Bucheng Gate, and Wuxuan Gate, which divide hutongs into regular blocks. A few Hutongs are in irregular shape, such as Ya’er Hutong and Baimixiejie. Hutongs in Xicheng District are 4.1 meters wide and 240 meters long on average.
Hutongs in the Xicheng District are represented by the Shichahai area. This traditional commercial center is the best preserved area of Old Beijing. It has been a summer retreat for locals since the Qing Dynasty. There are many Hutongs around the lake, and these days, it has become a very popular and chic bar area. It was the home of famous people like Guo Moruo and Song Qingling. A Hutong tour by rickshaw is very popular in this area.
Yandaixiejie 烟袋斜街
It is the oldest and most famous Hutong in Beijing. Once the home of many famous people, it is said to be shaped like a tobacco punch (yandai).
Dajinsi Hutong and Xiaojinsi Hutong 大小金丝胡同
Jinsi means golden silk. Jinsi Hutong refers to the shape of these 2 Hutongs. It is most well-known as No. 12 in Dajinsi Hutong, which is the only hutong in the Shiheyuan near the Shicha Lake area where travelers can stay. Most are foreign visitors. It has been recommended by Lonely Planet.
Houhai Beiyan 后海北沿
Houhai is the essence of the Shicha Lake area. Nanyan(south bank) is all bars, while Beiyan(north bank) has natural scenery and cultural remains. No. 46 is the former residence of Song Qingling 46, which was once the mansion of Prince Chunqin(Chunqin Wangfu). Puyi, the last emperor in China was also born there since he was the 5th son of Chunqin Wang
Xinghua Hutong 兴华胡同
This Hutong is very rarely seen by tourists. It is straight and broad with many tall trees. Walking in the street, you will find it is full of culture. NO 13 is most famous as it is very splendid, but also because it is the former site of Furen University.
Other very famous Hutongs in Xicheng are Ya’er Hutong, Nanguanfang Hutong, Longtoujingjie, Daxiangfeng Hutong, and Houhai Nanyan. Most have been refurbished and now contain bars and shops.
Hutongs in Dongcheng District
With more and more people flocking to the Xicheng District, travelers began to go to other Hutongs in the Dongcheng District. They remain more original and traditional, less explored. Most of the buildings and Hutongs were built during the Yuan Dynasty.
The hutong area around Nanluoguxiang is representative of the Hutongs in the Dongcheng District. They are the most complete and best preserved Yuan Dynasty buildings.
Hutongs are a gem for travelers. Located only 1 street away from the Forbidden City, the Dongcheng District is also one of the oldest districts in Beijing. Compared with Xicheng District, it is much more local and better preserved, and a place where you could have a real local family visit and learn to cook Chinese food, try paper-cutting, calligraphy, and study Chinese ancient civilization (including philosophy, history, archaeology, literature, linguistics).
For those wishing to see an ordinary old Beijinger’s life, the Hutongs in Dongcheng are a good choice.
Nanluoguxiang 南锣鼓巷
Nanluguxiang is also called Wusong Xiang(Centipede Alley). It is 800 yards long and gets its name from the neat symmetry of the Hutong along both sides of the street. Though it is the most famous Hutong in Dongcheng District, other Hutongs in Dongcheng have their charm.
Dongmianhua Hutong 东棉花胡同
This Hutong is noted for the famous Central Academy of Drama, which is the top academy in China. Many famous Chinese stars, including Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, Tang Wei, and Zhao Wei, spent their university life there.
Mao'er Hutong 帽儿胡同
If you want to feel the old Beijing, do not miss this one. It's connected to Ju'er Hutong, Nanluguxiang, and Yandai Hutong. NOs 7/9/12 consist of a pretty private garden, which is one of the best preserved and representative private gardens in Beijing. NO 13 is the former residence of Feng Guozhang, the vice-president during the period of the Republic of China.
Banchang Hutong 板厂胡同
Banchang Hutong stands out for its big courtyards and tall trees. In summer, many old people chat under the tree in the street, and children play around. It is very different from that of busy Nanluoguxiang.
Heizhima Hutong 黑芝麻胡同
It is located in Nanluoguxiang. NO 13 is a building and garden, which was originally occupied by one of the most famous and richest men in Beijing. The decoration of the pillar and windows is very elegant.