Beyond the grand palaces and wide avenues of Beijing lies another side of the city: its hutongs. These narrow alleyways, lined with traditional courtyard homes, reveal how local people have lived for centuries.
In contrast to the formal imperial world of the Forbidden City, hutongs showcase everyday life in Beijing. Families chat in the courtyards, children play in the lanes, and some residents were even famous scholars or officials.
Out of the hundreds of hutongs across the city, we've selected the 10 most interesting and visitor-friendly ones. Each offers something special, whether it's design, culture, food, or a quiet walk through history.
Which Hutong Should You Visit First? Here's a Quick Guide:
- If it's your first time in Beijing, or you love street food, start with Nanluoguxiang
- If you enjoy creative cafés, fashion, and design, head to Wudaoying Hutong
- If you're traveling with kids or love history and architecture, walk through Guozijian Street
- If you're into local museums and stories of old Beijing, visit Shijia Hutong
- For quiet alleys with real hutong life, explore White Pagoda Temple Hutong
- If antiques, calligraphy, and traditional art fascinate you, go to Liulichang Street
- For a short stroll with vintage shops and photo ops, try Yandaxiejie Street
- If modern history and old embassies interest you, walk along Dongjiaomin Lane
- For unique Beijing-style souvenirs, check out Yangmeizhuxie Street
- If you just want a calm and casual walk, go to Beiluoguxiang
- If you want to discover the diverse charm of hutongs, we have A Recommended Tour
1. Nanluoguxiang - Best for First Timers/Foodies
Nanluoguxiang is one of the best places to begin exploring Beijing's hutongs. It offers a balanced mix of energy and tradition, making it ideal for first-time visitors, families, or anyone curious about hutong life without diving in too deep.
The main street is great if you enjoy lively crowds and casual shopping, while the side lanes are better for a peaceful, local feel without straying too far.
The main street is among the city's most popular, lined with snack stalls, souvenir shops, and quirky little boutiques. This is where you come for the energy, street eats, and the fun of watching life unfold.
Nanluoguxiang's main streetHowever, many visitors overlook what lies just off the main stretch. The smaller alleyways, such as Mao'er Hutong and Ju'er Hutong, offer a quiet escape with preserved courtyard homes, local residents going about their day, and a calmer, more authentic vibe.
Nanluoguxiang's side lanesIf you prefer not to walk too much, consider taking a rickshaw to explore the hutongs in a more relaxed and unique way.
Our guests took a richshawWe recommend starting your day at the nearby Bell and Drum Towers, then strolling through the side alleys in the afternoon, and finishing with dinner or shopping on the lively main street in the evening.
2. Wudaoying Hutong - Best for Art and Fashion Lovers
If you're looking for a calmer, design-forward hutong experience, Wudaoying might be just what you need.
Often called Beijing's most artsy hutong, this leafy alley blends traditional courtyard homes with a creative, almost European vibe. It's less crowded than Nanluoguxiang, but just as rich in character—quieter and more refined.
Wudaoying HutongHere, you'll find a thoughtful mix of concept stores, vintage-style florists, pottery studios, and unique cafés, many run by local designers or international creatives. There's no rush, just space to wander, browse, and enjoy the details.
We recommend sipping coffee on the second floor of Wutong Café while watching the quiet rhythm of the street below. The light, the trees, and the calm create a place that encourages you to slow down.
Wudaoying Hutong is within walking distance of the Lama Temple. You could visit the temple in the morning to pray for blessings and spend a leisurely afternoon in the hutong.
A tip: Many cafés and shops here open after 11 am, so it's best to plan your visit for late morning or early afternoon.
3. Guozijian Street - Best for Families
If you're drawn to the quiet elegance of old Beijing, Guozijian Street offers a unique mix of history, architecture, and scholarly tradition. Lined with cypress trees and red walls, this peaceful street feels far from the tourist crowds.
At its heart are two of old Beijing's most important Confucian sites: the Confucius Temple, where emperors once honored Confucius, and the Imperial Academy (Guozijian), the highest educational institution during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
The Confucius TempleWalking through these grounds, you'll see centuries-old stone tablets, ceremonial halls, and preserved classrooms that offer a rare glimpse into China's imperial education system.
If you're traveling with children, don't miss the three-arched glazed gate inside the Imperial Academy. People often walk through the middle gate, known as the Dragon Gate, symbolizing academic success. Nearby, children like to touch the head of a stone turtle, believed to bring good luck in exams.
The three-arched glazed gateThe street itself is also a treasure. It's the only street in Beijing that still preserves four original glazed archways (pailou). The largest one, standing in front of the Imperial Academy, is especially photogenic. With tree shadows playing on red walls, this spot has a calm, dignified beauty that captures beautifully in photos.
Guozijian glazed archwaysIf you're planning a hutong day out, this street pairs beautifully with nearby Wudaoying Hutong. Together, they offer one of the most atmospheric and balanced city walk routes in Beijing, combining tradition with creativity.
4. Shijia Hutong - Best for Museum Lovers
If you're drawn to the quieter, more personal side of Beijing's hutongs, Shijia Hutong is a meaningful place to visit. Locals often say, "One hutong, half of China," highlighting the influential figures who once lived here and the area's deep cultural roots.
Shijia is a residential hutong, peaceful and unassuming. It offers something rare in today's Beijing: a glimpse into the everyday life of past decades.
Shijia HutongAt the heart of the street is the Shijia Hutong Museum. Unlike most museums, it feels deeply personal. Exhibits, donated by residents, include radios, sewing machines, family photos, and kitchen items from the 1950s to 1980s. You could step into a recreated courtyard home to experience daily life during those years.
Shijia Hutong MuseumThis hutong is ideal for those who enjoy history, architecture, and slow, reflective walks. It's great for anyone wanting to understand how ordinary people lived through changing times in Beijing.
You could easily reach it from Wangfujing and take a cultural break from the main streets.
A tip: The Shijia Hutong Museum is closed on Mondays.
5. White Pagoda Temple Hutong - Ideal for Non-Touristy Explorers
If you're hoping to see what real hutong life looks like, White Pagoda Temple Hutong is a hidden gem. This is one of the few hutong neighborhoods in central Beijing where time feels like it's standing still.
There are almost no tourists here. Instead, you'll pass by elderly locals playing chess in the shade, neighborhood canteens serving meals to retirees, and timeworn traditional medicine shops lining the street.
White Pagoda Temple HutongIf you're curious about Chinese medicine, step inside the White Pagoda Temple Pharmacy to browse medicinal ingredients and, if you like, try a short massage or wellness treatment. It offers a fascinating glimpse into an ancient healing tradition still practiced today.
White Pagoda Temple PharmacyThis area is also loved by photographers. Several rooftop cafés near the White Pagoda offer peaceful spaces to enjoy a drink while taking in a rare view: red walls, gray roofs, and the striking white pagoda rising above them all. It's one of the best spots to capture Beijing's layered textures of old and new, quiet and sacred.
White Pagoda with red wallAfter your visit, you could take a short ride to Huguosi Snack Street, a local favorite that offers a deeper look into everyday Beijing life. It's not a tourist food street, but a place where neighbors grab familiar snacks like Doornail Meat Pies.
This makes a perfect cultural add-on if you're looking to go beyond sightseeing and into the rhythms of real daily life.
6. Liulichang Street - Best for Art and Antiques Lovers
If you're drawn to Chinese calligraphy, antiques, or traditional arts, Liulichang is the place to explore. For centuries, this historic street has been a center of literary and artistic life in Beijing. Today, it still carries that timeless atmosphere, with traditional-style shopfronts, ink brush stores, and antique galleries lining the quiet lanes.
Liulichang StreetYou don't need to be a scholar or collector to enjoy it. You might find yourself browsing delicate rice paper, flipping through vintage prints, or watching a seal carving artist work by the window. Whether you're a serious art lover or simply curious, this is a lovely place to slow down and take in the elegance of traditional Chinese culture.
During Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival, the street comes alive with celebration. The Changdian Temple Fair brings red lanterns, paper decorations, and flower-shaped lights that glow beautifully in the evening. It is one of the best places in Beijing to experience the warmth and joy of traditional holidays.
Outside of festival times, Liulichang remains a quiet, atmospheric street good for a relaxed walk. It is especially suited to those who enjoy calm, cultured stops and hidden details rather than fast-paced sightseeing.
It could easily be combined with a visit to the Temple of Heaven or Qianmen Street. Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning and explore Liulichang in the afternoon, making for a peaceful and rewarding half-day experience.
7. Yandaxiejie Street - Ideal for Vintage Vibes and Photo Stops
If you only have time for a short hutong visit and want something lively and photogenic, Yandaixiejie is an excellent choice. This compact street near the Drum Tower is great for casual walkers, first-time visitors, or anyone looking to pick up small gifts with old Beijing charm.
Yandaxiejie StreetAlso known as "Pipe Alley," Yandaixiejie is one of Beijing's oldest commercial streets. It's lined with traditional storefronts selling tea, handmade toys, calligraphy sets, and the tobacco pipes that gave the alley its name. The atmosphere feels nostalgic, with vintage signs and restored wooden façades that transport you back a century.
It's ideal for a short stroll, a few street shots, and a taste of Beijing's historic shopping streets. You won't need much time here, but the visuals and variety make it a delightful and easy stop.
Yandaixiejie is just steps away from the Drum and Bell Towers and a short walk from Houhai Lake. You could stroll through the alley, visit the towers, and end your day with a lakeside drink at sunset.
See our 1-Day Beijing Hutong Tour.
8. Dongjiaomin Lane - Best for History Lovers
If you're interested in Beijing's modern history and enjoy discovering lesser-known spots with deep stories, Dongjiaomin Lane offers a unique hutong experience. This long and unusually wide street once served as the heart of the city's old Legation Quarter.
From the late Qing dynasty through the Republican era, it was lined with foreign embassies, banks, churches, and clubs. Many of these European-style buildings still stand, their facades featuring faded crests, stone columns, and iron plaques that tell of an era of diplomacy and conflict.
The street invites a quiet walk, with your focus on the architecture and its stories. You might pass a red-brick church, a weathered embassy gate, or a once-grand club that stands still in time. Every detail, from the worn steps to the arched windows, evokes Beijing's global past.
This street is ideal for those who are interested in history, urban photography, or simply escaping the crowds. If you walk it with a guide, you'll gain even deeper insights, as they share stories of foreign concessions, landmark treaties, and the shaping of modern China.
It runs parallel to the east side of Tiananmen Square, making it easy to combine with a visit to the National Museum or Qianmen. Early morning or late afternoon provides the best light and quiet for photography.
9. Yangmeizhuxie Street - Best for Souvenirs
If you're seeking a creative and offbeat hutong to shop for meaningful gifts, Yangmeizhuxie Street is the perfect destination. It's ideal for those who enjoy cultural browsing, appreciate design, and want something more thoughtful than a fridge magnet or mass-market souvenir.
Yangmeizhuxie StreetTucked behind the busier Qianmen area, this narrow, slanted lane blends old Beijing charm with a vibrant artistic spirit. It's full of character yet easy to miss, making it a rewarding find.
As you explore the street, you'll discover an eclectic mix of shops and studios offering delicate ceramics, calligraphy paper, incense, handmade jewelry, stylish stationery, and vintage toys. Small cafés and Japanese restaurants nestled in courtyards add to the cozy, curated feel.
The atmosphere is creative but unpretentious. Many shop owners are designers themselves and are happy to chat. You could take your time to find items that combine Chinese tradition with modern aesthetics.
In my opinion, this is the best hutong in Beijing for souvenirs. The items here are unique, well-made, and beautifully presented, unlike anything you'll find in airport shops or big markets.
Yangmeizhuxie Street is short and easy to explore at a leisurely pace. You could combine it with a visit to Qianmen or Dashilan for a relaxed half-day of culture, photography, and food.
10. Beiluoguxiang - Best for a Casual Visit
If you're looking for a hutong that feels lived-in, low-key, and refreshingly free of crowds, Beiluoguxiang is worth a visit. Just north of the ever-popular Nanluoguxiang, this alley offers a softer, slower experience that feels more like everyday Beijing.
You won't find tour groups here. Instead, the street is lined with quiet cafés, small creative studios, and cozy shops run by locals and young artists. It's calm, personal, and gently creative, without trying too hard.
This hutong is ideal for those who enjoy freedom over fixed routes and prefer noticing everyday life details over ticking off sights. It's especially appealing if you've already visited Nanluoguxiang and want something with the same charm but none of the bustle.
Start from Nanluoguxiang and stroll up into Beiluoguxiang, allowing yourself to drift for a while. There's no need to rush. The best part of this street is how quietly it grows on you.
A Recommended 1-Day Route for Beijing's Hutongs
If you're passionate about Beijing's hutongs and want to explore their rich variety in just one day, we recommend this well-paced walking route:
- Wudaoying Hutong → Guozijian Street → Beiluoguxiang → Nanluoguxiang → Yandaixiejie Street.
You'll discover creative cafés and curated shops, stroll past Confucian temples and historic archways, wander through quiet residential alleys, enjoy local snacks and vibrant boutiques, and end your day near a lake with old-Beijing charm and photo-worthy street scenes.
This route offers a mix of lively and peaceful spots, history and design, all within walking distance.
Touring the Hutongs with China Highlights
The hutongs reflect the culture of the common people, while the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven are symbols of imperial culture. To truly get to know Beijing, you shouldn't miss the hutongs on your tour!
Our tours are customizable and adaptable. If you'd like to include hutongs in your trip, just contact us.
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