Route One: Dianmen-Nanluoguxiang-Drum & Bell Tower-Yandaixiejie-Shichahai Hutong

It starts from the crossing between the Dianmen Dongdajie (地安门东大街) and Nanluoguxiang (南锣古巷), get along Nanluoguxiang to Gulou Dongdajie (古楼东大街), turn left and ride along till Drum & Bell Tower. Visit to Drum & Bell Tower by driving round way. Then arrive at Yandaixiejie (烟袋斜街) by riding South. It is a short street of only around 230 meters long, but there are many featured small shops, restaurants, bars etc., and attracting visitors from all over the world. Then get across Yinding Bridge (银锭桥) and ride along Shichahai Lake (什刹海). There are 15 hutongs around Shichahai Lake, in which are many mansions for ancient princes, gardens and former residences for celebrities. Hutong, Shichahai Lake, red walls as well as green trees will make you a pleasant biking experience.

Route Two: Xijiaominxiang-Dashilanr-Zhushikou-Liulichang

Xijiaominxiang(西交民巷) is located near to Tiananmen Square, with 1080 meters long. Ride southward, you will arrive at qianmen (前门) as well as Qianmen Street, which is also called Dashilanr. The renovated Dashilanr is a modern commercial street, but there are many hutongs on the right side of Qianmen Street, which are preserved very well and where tourists could feel the original and authentic Beijing. Keep riding southward, you will arrive at Zhushikou West Street (珠市口西大街), where you could pass some historical sites, such as Catholic Church, Fengzeyuan Restaurant, Jixiaolan’s Former Residence (one of senior official in Qing Dynasty) as well as Huguang Guild Hall, where you need to ride northward along South Xinhua Street, where Liulichang (琉璃厂) is situated. Liulichang is a famous cultural street in Beijing. During this tour, tourists could visit the historical sites at Xijiaominxiang, enjoy local flavor snacks at Dashilanr as well as feel Chinese culture at Liulichang.

Route Three: Donghuamen Gate -Nanchizi Street -Pudu Temple - Huangchenggen Street-Dengshikou-Fuqian Hutong-Dongchang Hutong-Fulong Temple-Dongsi-Neiwubu Street-Lumicang

This route is to explore the Hutong in Dongcheng District. The traditional courtyard is worth to explore in Beijing. Huangchenggen Park at Huangchenggen Street is a community park, where is good for morning walk, where you could meet many local families at weekend. During this route, tourists could also visit some historical spots, such as Laoshe’s Former Resident (Laoshe’s a famous Chinese writer) at Fuqiang Hutong, Li Lianying’s Former Residence (Li Lianying is senior eunuch in Qing Dynasty), Zhihua Temple at Lumicang Hutong.

In all the hutongs in Beijing, you might find the longest hutong is Dongjiaominxiang and Xijiangminxiang hutong, paralleling to Changan Street, the shortest hutong is Yichidajie with around 10 meters long, near to Liulichang Street, The narrowest hutong is Xiaolaba Hutong with only 40 cm in width. Besides, Jiudaowan Hutong has the most turnings in all the hutongs, with more than 20 turnings in total.

When you visit to Beijing, you could spend half a day or a full day to explore Beijing hutong, no matter what ways you will choose, you will find something interesting, authentic and different in your Beijing trip.

Source: topchinatravel.com