City Wander - Beijing Travel Guide

About Hutong Walking

Beijing's hutongs are ancient alleyways that wind through the heart of the city, offering a glimpse into traditional Chinese life. These narrow streets, lined with courtyard houses, have been home to generations of Beijingers.

A walk through the hutongs is like stepping back in time. You'll encounter local residents going about their daily lives, small family-run shops, and hidden courtyards that tell stories of Beijing's rich history.

Our curated walking routes focus on the Second Ring Road area, where some of Beijing's most authentic hutong neighborhoods are preserved. Each route offers a unique perspective on the city's culture and history.

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Recommended Walking Routes

Line 1 2-3 hours | 3-4 km

鼓楼->南锣鼓巷->什刹海 Drum Tower->Nanluoguxiang->Shichahai

Explore the main street and side hutongs, capture photos of the Drum Tower with red walls and trams, shop for traditional "Rabbit God" dolls in Yandai Xiejie, enjoy the Western Hills view from Silver Ingot Bridge, and watch the sunset at Shichahai.

Route Map

Line 1: 鼓楼->南锣鼓巷->什刹海 Drum Tower->Nanluoguxiang->Shichahai

Nanluoguxiang Subway Station (南锣鼓巷地铁站)

Starting point

Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷)

A charming alleyway full of old Beijing charm, with many former residences of famous people and historical stories

🍜 Zhajiang noodles Restaurant:方砖厂69号炸酱面 Fangzhuanchang No.69 Zhajiang Noodles 🍰 Royal Dessert Restaurant:稻香村 Daoxiangcun

Wealth God Temple (财神庙)

China's earliest Wealth God Temple, where you can pray for prosperity

Drum Tower (鼓楼)

Capture photos of the Drum Tower with red walls and trams

🥞 Chao Gan (Fried Liver) Restaurant:姚记炒肝 Yaoji Chaogan

Yinding Bridge (银锭桥)

Enjoy the night view of Beijing and visit Houhai Bar Street

🍸 Houhai Bar Street

Shichahai Ice Rink (什刹海冰场)

Go ice skating and ice cart riding in winter

Beihai Park (北海公园)

Visit Beihai Park, see guide here

鼓楼 -> 南锣鼓巷 -> 什刹海

Drum Tower -> Nanluoguxiang -> Shichahai Route Map

Line 2 2-3 hours | 3-4 km

隆福寺 -> 东四北大街 -> 雍和宫大街 -> 国子监街 -> 五道营胡同

Longfu Temple -> Dongsi North Street -> Yonghegong Street -> Guozijian Street -> Wudaoying Hutong

Starting from Longfu Temple, explore the variety stores on Dongsi North Street, take film-style photos with vintage backdrops, admire the imperial steles at Guozijian, and enjoy delicious food in Wudaoying Hutong.

Route Map

Line 2: 隆福寺->东四北大街->雍和宫大街->国子监街->五道营胡同 Longfu Temple -> Dongsi North Street -> Yonghegong Street -> Guozijian Street -> Wudaoying Hutong

Longfu Temple Area (隆福寺区域)

Starting point, explore Longfu Temple and visit Hutong Museum to learn about Beijing hutong culture

Dongsi North Street (东四北大街)

Try Chinese pastries and traditional snacks, such as 红心点心局（Hongxin Dim Sum Shop), 稻香村零号店(Daoxiangcun Flagship Store), and 茶饼斋（Tea Cake Studio）

🍰 Royal Dessert Restaurant:稻香村零号店 Daoxiangcun Flagship 🍜 Lu Zhu (Braised Pork Offal) Restaurant:北新桥卤煮 Beixinqiao Luzhu

Lama Temple (雍和宫)

Visit this traditional Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing. See details here

Guozijian Street (国子监街)

Visit the Imperial Academy. See details here

Wudaoying Hutong (五道营胡同)

A 700-meter street filled with boutique shops and specialty restaurants, each offering unique surprises

🍜 Michelin Restaurant Restaurant:京兆尹 Jing Zhao Yin

隆福寺 -> 东四北大街 -> 雍和宫大街 -> 国子监街 -> 五道营胡同

Longfu Temple -> Dongsi North Street -> Yonghegong Street -> Guozijian Street -> Wudaoying Hutong

Line 3 1.5-2 hours | 2-3 km

雍和宫 -> 地坛公园 Lama Temple -> Ditan Park

Pray at Lama Temple in the morning, enjoy coffee in Wudaoying Hutong in the afternoon, admire the red walls and green tiles at Guozijian, and take a stroll in Ditan Park at dusk.

Route Map

Line 3: 雍和宫 -> 国子监街 -> 五道营胡同 -> 地坛公园 Lama Temple -> Guozijian Street -> Wudaoying Hutong -> Ditan Park

Lama Temple (雍和宫)

Visit this traditional Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing. See details here

Guozijian Street (国子监街)

Visit the Imperial Academy. See details here

Wudaoying Hutong (五道营胡同)

A 700-meter street filled with boutique shops and specialty restaurants, each offering unique surprises

🍜 Michelin Restaurant Restaurant:京兆尹 King Joy

Ditan Park (地坛公园)

A park with a rich history and beautiful views. See details here

Lama Temple -> Ditan Park Route Map

Line 4 2-3 hours | 3-4 km

西四区域探索 Xisi Area Exploration

Explore the Xisi area: the red walls of White Pagoda Temple are iconic, Zhengyang Bookstore offers rare old books, and the stained glass windows at Xishiku Church are breathtakingly beautiful.

Route Map

Line 4: 阜成门->白塔寺->历代帝王庙->广济寺->正阳书局->西什库教堂 Fuchengmen -> White Pagoda Temple -> Temple of Ancient Monarchs -> Guangji Temple -> Zhengyang Bookstore -> Xishiku Church

Fuchengmen Subway Station Exit B

Starting point

Lu Xun Museum (鲁迅博物馆)

Visit Lu Xun's former residence and exhibition to experience the power of his writings

White Pagoda Temple (白塔寺)

Spend half a day exploring and eating around White Pagoda Temple. The red walls are perfect for photos

Temple of Ancient Monarchs (历代帝王庙)

Built in 1531 during the Ming Dynasty, this 500-year-old temple was once an imperial worship site. ¥20 entry fee, no reservation needed

Geological Museum (地质博物馆)

One of Asia's oldest and largest comprehensive geological museums. ¥15 entry fee, no reservation needed

Guangji Temple (广济寺)

One of Beijing's four famous temples, home to the Buddhist Association of China. Free entry, no reservation needed. Features precious cultural relics including a golden Dharma wheel

Zhengyang Bookstore (正阳书局)

A unique bookstore hidden beneath a Yuan Dynasty pagoda, filled with old Beijing charm

Xishiku Church (西什库教堂)

A three-story Gothic church with stunning stained glass windows that add unique beauty

� Zhajiang noodles Restaurant:方砖厂69号炸酱面 Fangzhuanchang No.69 🍜 Lu Zhu (Braised Pork Offal) Restaurant:西四包子铺 Xisi Baozi Shop

Fuchengmen -> Xishiku Church Route Map

Line 5 2-2.5 hours | 3-4 km

烂漫胡同 Lanman Hutong

Pet cats at Fayuan Temple, then head to Niujie for lamb skewers and Baiji Nian Gao (rice cakes).

Route Map

Line 5: Lanman Hutong -> Fayuan Temple -> Niujie

Caishikou Subway Station Exit G

Starting point

Xuannan Bookstore (宣南书店)

A 24-hour bookstore with coffee during the day and drinks at night. In summer, enjoy the glass waterfall wall with fish swimming above; in winter, persimmons are displayed in the glass wall.

Lanman Hutong (烂漫胡同)

One of the most artistic hutongs in West Beijing, featuring many chill cafes, shops, and photo spots

Xizhuan Hutong (西砖胡同)

A cultural hutong with cafes and tea houses

Fayuan Temple (法源寺)

For more information about Fayuan Temple, see here

Niujie (牛街)

Beijing's iconic halal food district and the largest Muslim community area. Its history dates back to the Song and Yuan dynasties. Originally called "Liuhecun", it later became known as Niujie (Ox Street) due to the local Muslims' expertise in beef processing. The Niujie Mosque, built during the Northern Song Dynasty, is Beijing's largest and oldest mosque.

🍲 Shabu-shabu Lamb Restaurant:聚宝源 Jubao Yuan 🥘 Bao Du (Braised Tripe) Restaurant:聚宝源 Jubao Yuan 🍜 Lǘ Dǎgǔn (Glutinous Rice Roll) Restaurant:白记年糕 Baiji Nian Gao

Lanman Hutong -> Fayuan Temple -> Niujie Route Map

Line 6 2-3 hours | 2-3 km

前门附近胡同 Hutongs Near Qianmen

Explore old guild halls, design shops, enjoy Chao Gan (fried liver) and Zhajiang noodles, then relax with a cup of coffee.

Route Map

Line 6: 湖广会馆->杨梅竹斜街->北京坊->前门箭楼->前门大街->西兴隆街 Huguang Guild Hall -> Yangmeizhu Xiejie -> Beijing Fun -> Qianmen Arrow Tower -> Qianmen Street -> Xixinglong Street

Huguang Guild Hall (北京湖广会馆)

Built in 1807, originally the former residence of Zhang Juzheng. It was a performance venue for Peking Opera masters like Mei Lanfang. Sun Yat-sen also held the founding meeting of the Kuomintang here. Key attractions: (1) Grand Theater: A century-old wooden theater with exquisite carvings; (2) Opera Museum: Located in Wenchang Pavilion, showcasing Peking Opera history and Mei Lanfang's collections.

Jinghua Publishing House (京华印书局)

This century-old building standing in southern Beijing is now home to China Bookstore. Known as the "Ship Building" due to its unique shape, it has become a popular spot for many young artists and history enthusiasts.

Xuannan Bookstore (宣南书店)

A 24-hour bookstore with coffee during the day and drinks at night. In summer, enjoy the glass waterfall wall; in winter, persimmons are displayed in the glass wall.

Future Post Office (未来邮局)

Send letters to your future self or others, also known as "slow mail" service

Yangmeizhu Xiejie (杨梅竹斜街)

This 500-meter street blends history and modernity. Highlights: (1) Model Bookstore (模范书局): A vintage bookstore hidden in the hutong; (2) Jingwei Shiguang (京味拾光): A popular photo spot with beautiful courtyard lighting; (3) Qingyunge Site (青云阁旧址): A late Qing entertainment venue frequented by Kang Youwei and Lu Xun.

Qianmen Street & Xianyukou Street (前门大街 & 鲜鱼口街)

Qianmen Street is famous for its century-old shops: (1) Ruifuxiang (瑞蚨祥): A renowned silk shop; (2) Neiliansheng (内联升): A 100-year-old shoe store; (3) Zhang Yiyuan (张一元): A beloved tea house; (4) Wu Yutai (吴裕泰): Famous for jasmine tea and matcha ice cream.
Xianyukou Street, over 570 years old, is known as the "living fossil of Beijing cuisine".

🍲 Peking Duck Restaurant:全聚德 Quanjude / 便宜坊 Bianyifang 🥘 Zhajiang Noodles Restaurant:方砖厂69号炸酱面 Fangzhuanchang No.69 🍜 Lu Zhu (Braised Offal) Restaurant:门框胡同百年卤煮 (Menkuang Hutong Century-Old Lu Zhu) 🍜 Chao Gan (Fried Liver) Restaurant:天兴居炒肝 Tianxingju 🍜 Douzhi (Soybean Milk) Restaurant:锦芳小吃 Jinfang Snacks 🍜 Ai Wo Wo (Glutinous Rice Balls) Restaurant:锦芳小吃 Jinfang Snacks