This 1.6-kilometer route includes nine charming alleyways: Yu'er Hutong, Guaibang Hutong, Mao'er Hutong, Heizhima Hutong, Qiangulouyuan Hutong, Ju'er Hutong, Dongbuyaqiao Hutong, Suoyi Hutong, and Fuxiang Hutong. Along the way, you can visit attractions such as the old Yuhe Road, the Memorial Hall of Qi Baishi's Former Residence, and the Chunfeng Bookstore. Walking into each hutong feels like stepping into a time machine, where the quiet alleys are filled with a rustic atmosphere that transports you to a bygone era. The historical echoes in these serene lanes draw visitors into a deep, immersive experience.

The Old Yuhe Road 

The Yuhe River is part of the inner-city section of the Grand Canal and the Tonghui River, first constructed in 1292 during the Yuan Dynasty (the 29th year of the Zhiyuan era). It served as a critical waterway for transporting grain to the central wharf at Jishuitan in Beijing. The old Yuhe Road in Dongcheng District starts from the east side of Chengqing Shangzha near Wanning Qiao outside Di'anmen, running along the southern side of Mao'er Hutong, the western side of Dongbuyaqiao Hutong, and Beihe Hutong, following the line of Donghuangchenggen to the southern end of Zhengyi Lu (Rd). It continues along the east of Chongwenmen, Xihe Yan, exiting Dongbianmen, and connecting to the old canal in Chaoyang District, with a total length of nearly 8 kilometers. Archaeological excavations have revealed a section approximately 1.1 kilometers long, divided into northern and southern zones. The northern zone stretches from the east side of Chengqing Shangzha to Dongbuyaqiao, while the southern zone extends from the northern entrance of Dongbanqiao Jie (St) to the eastern entrance of Beihe Hutong. This section preserves remnants from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including embankments, the river channel, wharfs, the Yanchi, drainage systems, stone carvings of water beasts, Yuhe Temple, the Relics of Dongbuyaqiao, and Chengqing Zhongzha and Xiazha Relics. These relics serve as significant evidence of the Grand Canal's human heritage and are key to understanding Beijing's grain transport and urban development.

Memorial Hall of Qi Baishi's Former Residence

The Memorial Hall of Qi Baishi's Former Residence is located at No. 13 Yu'er Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing. It is a traditional siheyuan courtyard house built in the mid-Qing Dynasty and is recognized as a cultural heritage protection site in Dongcheng District. In 1955, under the care of Premier Zhou Enlai, the Ministry of Culture allocated funds to purchase the residence and provided it for the great artist Qi Baishi to live in. During his later years here, Qi Baishi created many of his most significant works, reaching the final glorious period of his artistic career. After Qi Baishi passed away, the residence at No. 13 was used as a creative space for artists from the Beijing Fine Art Academy. In 2011, with the strong support of the Beijing Municipal Committee and the city government, the Beijing Fine Art Academy restored the building, recreating the environment in which Qi Baishi lived and worked during his later years.

Chunfeng Bookstore 

A 200-meter walk west from Nanluo Bookstore along Di'anmen Dongdajie (St) brings you to Chunfeng Bookstore, a popular cultural spot in Beijing. This location exemplifies Dongcheng District's innovative approach to revitalizing cultural heritage, transforming previously closed-off historical buildings into public cultural spaces. It strikes a balance between preserving cultural relics and making them accessible for public enjoyment.

The bookstore is situated on the western side of Nanluoguxiang, at the site of the Yuhe Ruins, with the Dongbuyaqiao bridge and riverbed at its entrance both being ancient relics. The bookstore itself is housed in a 600-year-old traditional courtyard, exuding the charm of old Beijing with its classical two-section siheyuan. The shady courtyard, filled with greenery, enhances the historic ambiance. After careful restoration, the courtyard became the third location of the Chunfeng Xixi brand, now called Chunfeng Bookstore. The bookstore's door is weathered and old, and as you step into the courtyard, you will find scattered relics such as the Yuhe An Shanmen, stone tablets, and the foundations of the east and west halls.

Chunfeng Bookstore specializes in magazines, distinguishing itself from traditional bookstores. Since magazines are unique and not reprinted, there is a smaller selection of books. However, the store boasts over 400 high-quality magazine titles from around the world, covering a wide range of topics, including culture, art, travel, food, and design. This attracts both readers who are truly in need of such resources and provides a diversified cultural exhibition space for nearby residents.