Hutongs, Beijing > Reviews

Advantages: It's a great insight to the living and breathing history of life in Beijing from the local perspective
Disadvantages: If you go indepently you may get lost.

The Hutongs are a large expanse of "ancient alleyways" (semi- literal translation) which house a large number of Bejing's families right in the heart of the city. It is really worth visiting, as it gives a more grassroots perspective on living and breathing in Beijing as opposed to the vast imperial palaces like the Forbidden City. What is so great about the Hutongs is that despite all the upheaval that this great city and China has witnessed, ... Read review

Advantages: great to see some culture
Disadvantages: small streets

The hutongs is small alleyways crisscroding east west acoss the city. They are small narrow street which one car could fit down. In some places only a bike could fit down them.It is a great opportunity to see some culture of Beijing and how people lived in the past. People still live here but not as many as there used to be as younger generations prefer to live in modern homes. Some of the hutong and courtyard homes are protected by Beijings Cultural ... Read review

Advantages: Another insight into Chinese social history.
Disadvantages: Narrow alleys, bleak, and as informative from the outside as the inside.

A hutong is an ancient city alley or lane typical in Beijing, where hutongs run into the several thousand surrounding the Forbidden City. The word "hutong" originates from the word "hottog" which means "well" in Mongolian. Villagers dig out a well and inhabited there. Hutong means a lane or alley and now refers to a compound with houses set around a central courtyard where old Beijing residents live. The main buildings in the hutong are almost ... Read review