Bike is an ideal option for your tour in hutong. You can stop at any spots or shops you might come across without worrying about parking or long way walks. The route passes through the block where 16 hutongs lay. It is perfect for tourists who love quadrangle courtyard and hutong culture. Many mansions founded in Qing Dynasty and former residences of famous people situate in this block.

• Route 1:

Shichahai——Prince Gong's Mansion——Yandai Xiejie——Drum and Bell Towers——Nanluoguxiang——Wudaoying Hutong——the Imperial College

This riding route includes the most characteristic Hutong blocks in Beijing—Shichahai, along which you can visit royal palace, former residence and ancient streets, and then board Drum and Bell Towers to overlook the Hutong scenery on both sides of the central axis in Beijing.

Wherein: Shichahai is the only open scenic spot with large area of water in Beijing, you can exactly see the silence and prosperity of Beijing beginning from Xihai and Huitong Temple and then pass by Houhai.

In the afternoon, you can ride to two artistic Hutongs of rosy —— Nanluoguxiang and Wudaoying Hutong, to feel distinct new look of the old district.

There are considerably numerous delicious food in Nanluoguxiang, you can buy some snacks from far parts and have a break, then drink afternoon tea in a unique café in Wudaoying.

At last, you can visit Lama Temple, home of the Emperor Yongzheng, and feel the strong atmosphere of culture in the Imperial College and Temple of Confucius. No matter serene sense of religious solemnity in Lama Temple or atmosphere influence of traditional culture in the Imperial College and Temple of Confucius, can dispel dryness-heat of summer.

• Route 2:

Start: Nan Luo Gu Xiang

End: Ju'er Hutong

Distance: 3 km

Highlights:

Nan Luo Gu Xiang:

Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷 in Chinese) is a narrow alley, that gives its name to an old part of the Beijing city center, that has traditional architecture both new and old. The neighborhood contains many typical narrow streets known as hutong. The alley itself is approximately 800m long, running from East Gulou Street in the north to Di'anmen East Street in the south. It is famous for various featured shops such as Plastered 8 (创可贴8), Wenyu Cheese Shop (文宇奶酪店) etc.

Ju’er Hutong

In the heart of Beijing, Ju’er Hutong (菊儿胡同) is famous for its prize-winning housing project. The quadrangle courtyards along this hutong are well preserved. The hutong is much quieter than the famous hutong Nanluoguxiang while many bars and restaurants are housed around as well. You can also find many featured shops and boutiques.