A Walk into Old Beijing
Hutong is the local word for any of the imperial-era alleys where the traditional residential houses of old Beijing are located. At the back of the Forbidden City, there is a well-preserved old district where you can see hutongs and typical courtyard houses.
A hutong is a place where you can immerse yourself in memories of the old Beijing. They are charming places where you can learn about the traditional lifestyle and the culture heritage.
During this 1-day Beijing hutong tour, you will explore the historical and cultural sites of the hutongs, visit a family living in a courtyard house, and stroll along the oldest commercial alley in Beijing.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Discover the Most Honorable Temple
Hear about why Emperor Qianlong (1711–99) turned Prince Mansion into a Tibetan Buddhist Temple and discover the treasures there.
Chat with Folks in their Courtyard Homes
Walk into a family's houses in a hutong. Learn about the features of the old residential houses in Beijing and get a glimpse of the typical lifestyle in the hutong.
Stroll along the Old Alley
Immerse yourself in the memories of the old Beijing, which is cherished in hutong. Taste authentic Beijing from its famous snack sold in the alley.
Climb up the Drum Tower
Travel back to medieval Beijing times with the sounds of a classical drum performance as well as exploring this classical building.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Beauty of Beijing
Colin (our tour guide) and Xia (our driver) were excellent! Colin took us to the places where it is not as crowded, took us to ecellent restaurants. He is also very knowledgeable with the history. Xia made sure our drive is smooth and dropped us off as close as possible to the areas to limit walking. A great team! Will request for them in the future when we come back. God bless! more
Mar 2025, Len
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My Family loved China Travel for Beijing.
My family and I really enjoyed the service and itinerary in Beijing with Tom from China Travel. Absolutely above and beyond our expectations and we highly recommend booking with them. ? more
Mar 2025, Brian
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Beijing March 2025 with Jiang
I had an incredible experience touring Beijing with our guide, Jiang! His deep knowledge of the city's culture and history truly enriched our visit. Jiang’s enthusiasm for sharing fascinating stories and insights made every stop memorable. What impressed me most was his willingness to adapt to changes throughout the tour. Whether it was adjusting our schedule or accommodating special requests, Jiang handled everything with a positive attitude and remarkable patience. He consistently went the extra mile to ensure we were not only having fun but also safe. His friendly demeanor made it easy to connect and enjoy our time together. Additionally, his restaurant recommendations were spot-on—each meal was a delicious adventure that showcased the best of local cuisine. If we return to Beijing in the future, we will definitely seek out Jiang again! more
Mar 2025, Yinkhang
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests. The time frame is just for your reference. It could be different due to the traffic on the day.
Your guide will wait for you at the Exit C of the Yonghegong (Lama Temple) Subway Station.
Walk into Lama Temple to learn about its rich history by visiting different treasures there. Then move to Confucian Temple and Guozijian, to stand on the place where emperors used to read the Confucius classics to thousands of students. Try the famous old Beijing yogurt which is the favorite snack of Empress Dowager Cixi.
Stroll along the hutong.Try the fomouse Old Beijing yogurt sold in the alley. Try the famous local dumplings for lunch to refresh yourself.
Visit a local family living in a hutong courtyard for generations. Learn about the architectural pattern of the traditional residential houses in old Beijing and the customs in it. Chat with the host and get a glimpse of the typical lifestyle in the hutong.
Climb up upon the Drum Tower. Enjoy the bird's eyes view of the hutong area. Travel back to medieval Beijing times through the sound of drum performance.
Stroll along Yandaixiejie ('Tobacco Pouch Diagonal Street') to discover the ups and downs of this oldest commercial street in Beijing, functioning since the Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368).
You will be transfered back to your hotel.
If you would like to be dropped off at any other location in downtown, we are happy to help you arrange it.
Price Includes:
- English speaking local guide
- Activities and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: bj-2b