Tourists coming to Beijing always want to experience a different way of life in this ancient city. Some may go to the highlighted attractions like the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, while others want to experience a natural way of life so they visitthe Summer Palace. And some travelers want to experience the traditional way of Beijing life and what should they do? Visit hutongs and courtyards.

A hutong is an ancient city alley typical in Beijing, where hutongs run into the several thousand. Surrounding the Forbidden City, many were built during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. In those times, the emperors planned the city and arranged the residential areas according to systems of etiquette. The center of the city of Beijing was the royal palace - the Forbidden City.

The word 'hutong' comes from the Mongolian language about 700 years ago. It originates from the word 'hottog' in Mongolian meaning 'water well'. Where there was a spring or well, there were residents. The word 'hottog' became 'hutong' after it was introduced into Beijing.

Hutongs are the passages formed by lines of siheyuans (courtyards). One hutong connects with another, and one siheyuan connects with another siheyuan, to form a block, and blocks join with blocks to form a neighborhood.

In the rich and historical culture of Beijing, a hutong has a very special and important position. It is not only a kind of architecture, but also serves as a window into Beijing folk life and an embodiment of the history and culture of Beijing.

But a standard siheyuan consists of houses on all four sides. The house that stands at the north end facing south is called the 'main house or 'north house'. The ones on each side are called the 'side houses', and the one which stands at the south end facing north is called the 'opposite house' or 'south house'.

The siheyuan's entrance gate is usually at the southeastern corner, in accordance with the traditional concepts of the 5 elements (gold, wood, water, fire and soil) that were believed to compose the universe, and the 8 diagrams of divination.

Normally there is a screen wall inside the gate so that outsiders cannot see directly into the courtyard; it is also believed to protect the house from evil spirits. Outside the gate of a larger siheyuan, there is a pair of stone lions, one on each side. The gates are usually painted vermilion and have large copper door rings. The courtyard often contains a pomegranate or other type of tree, as well as potted plants.

Usually a whole family lives in the compound. The elder generation lives in the main house, the younger generation live in the side houses, and the south house is usually the sitting room or study.

Not only residences, but also ancient palaces, government offices, temples and monasteries were built basically on the pattern of the siheyuan, a common feature of traditional Chinese architecture.

Although lots of hutongs have already disappeared, some are still preserved by the government. If you come to Beijing, you access such hutongs and experience a different way of living.