Beijing Hutong

Alleyways (hutong )and courtyard homes (si he yuan )have been the signature features of Beijing’s urban landscape since the Ming dynasty. The word hutong was from Mongolian.Hutongs came into being in the Yuan Dynasty. The frame work of hutongs was formed in recent seven hundred to eight hundred years .The courtyards enclosed on four sidesby hutongs are called siheyuan, traditional living quarters for local residents. These homes traditionally comprised buildings built around an enclosed courtyard, but many have been subdivided in modern times. The narrowness of the alleyways and of many courtyard homes discourages heavy traffic and encourages residents to live their lives on the street , fostering a strong sense of community The pace of life in these neighborhoods is less hurried than on Beijing’s broad modern avenues, the hutongs are like villages within the megalopolis As you wander through them, you may feel as though You have stepped back in time.

Beijing Hutong

Many hutongs have disappeared in the past decade to make way for modern apartment buildings and wider roads Fortunately, some historic neighborhoods are being preserved, as you’ll discover if you take the walks described below, Besides winding you along some of Beijing’s most beautiful hutongs ,these walks will take you to some of the capital’s best sights We suggest going on foot since this will allow you to soak in the atmosphere move at your own pace and observe the small details that make hutongs unique.

Beijing Travel Guide