I had been to Shichahai Scenic Area a few times before I headed for it again on Dec. 10 with one of my colleagues. I thought Shichahai was quite familiar to me but I realized I might be wrong when I was touring many of the hutongs and courtyard former residence of renowned celebrities of the past.

Shichahai is famous for hutongs, night bars and courtyard houses, which occupy a large area where you can take a walk for two days and still find you haven’t been to many of its worth-going places. However, if you only wish to visit some of its most popular places, you can tour the area in a day, and the day will be of great fun if you know the route.

Former Residence of Guo Moruo

Prince Gong’s Mansion

We began from the Former Residence of Guo Moruo, one of the best known writers and poets in modern China. This residence is located near the subway station Beihai North (北海北) on Subway Line 6. Yet, the most popular residence to visit for each tourist should be the mansion of a prince of the Qing dynasty. Now it is publicly known as Prince Gong’s Mansion.

Furen University

Former Residence of Mei Lanfang

After touring the two residences, you might as well walk along the road in front of Prince Gong’s Mansion west. On the way you will see an old university now named Beijng Normal University, which was in fact once named Furen University (辅仁大学). Keep walking west and you will continuously feel the pulse of a hutong, and finally you will see a road that runs from the north to the south. Walking across the road, you will see the Former Residence of Mei Lanfang, the best-known Peking opera artist before and after the Republic of China.

Liuhai Hutong

Tongtiechang Hutong

Taobeile Mansion

Then we walked north along Deshengmennei Street. After past 2 hutongs, we entered one hutong named Liuhai Hutong (刘海胡同), through which we came to another street that runs from the north to the south. Turning south, we came to Tongtiechang Hutong (铜铁厂胡同). Located beside the hutong is large residence named Taobeile Mansion, where one of the imperial family members once lived. Actually this mansion neighbors Prince Gong’s Mansion. We walked along Qianhai West Street east to Qianhai and enjoyed the beautiful scenery there.

Temple of the God of Fire

One temple built for the God of Fire stands at the entrance of Qianhai. It is beautiful and solemn, and of course it is also spot to visit for tourists for free.

Gulou Street

Former Residence of Maodu

Memorial Hall of Qi Baishi’s Former Residence

The next former residence we were searching for was the Memorial Hall of Qi Baishi’s Former Residence, but we had to walked past Gulou Street to Nanluoguxiang. We walked to that area too and visited many hutongs and two former residences. One was the Memorial Hall of Qi Baishi’s Former Residence, and the other was the Former Residence of Maodu.