Beijing Hutongs: Choose a Walk Through the Old City
Compare Beijing hutong walks by landmark, lane or waterfront, with named routes near the Bell Tower, Shichahai, Wudaoying and Gulou Street.
Photo: Renek78 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Contents
There is no single hutong entrance and no fixed route to book. Beijing's old lanes offer several different walks, so choose by what you want: landmark lanes, a longer sequence of named alleys, or a stroll beside the water.
Choose a walk by your priorities
| For | Route | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Landmarks and a shorter walk | Bell Tower route, 1.3 km | Zhongku, Lingdang, Caochang North, Zhonglouwan, Doufuchi and Yuge lanes, with the Bell and Drum Towers as landmarks.[1] |
| A lane-focused walk | Hutong Culture route, 1.6 km | Nine lanes, including Yu'er, Guaibang, Mao'er, Heizhima, Ju'er, Suoyi and Fuxiang. The route also passes the Jade River's ancient road and Qi Baishi Memorial Hall.[1] |
| Waterfront scenery | Shichahai route, 2.3 km, or Yu River embankment, 800 m | The Shichahai route follows the north side of Qianhai, Liuyin Street and a north Houhai branch.[1] The Yu River section runs between Shichahai and Nanluoguxiang.[2] |
For shops and food, head for Wudaoying Hutong and the lanes around it, where cafes and boutiques line the street, or to Gulou Street, which has long-established shops and local snacks.[3] The Central Axis walk page describes the area.
The Beijing hutong route roundup (2023) gives the Bell Tower, Hutong Culture and Shichahai routes, and the Yu River page (2024) describes the riverside stretch.[1][2] Use them as itinerary ideas and follow a current map and the street signs.
Things to Do
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Visit a lived-in neighborhood thoughtfully
Hutong routes pass through ordinary city blocks as well as places made for visitors. Stay on public streets, do not enter courtyards or homes unless access is clearly offered, keep your voice down, and ask before photographing residents.
Walking is the best way to see the lanes. Check each museum or courtyard venue and the local signs on the day for opening hours, tickets and restrictions.
For more routes across the country, see our China travel guide.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Beijing Municipal Government English Portal: 10 Most Beautiful Hutongs and Alleys For You to Roam in Beijing. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Beijing Municipal Government English Portal: Strolling Along Yu River. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Beijing Municipal Government English Portal: Time to Take a Chill Walk Along Central Axis This Weekend. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a landmark-led walk, take the 1.3 km Bell Tower route through Zhongku, Lingdang, Caochang North, Zhonglouwan, Doufuchi and Yuge lanes, with the Bell and Drum Towers on the way.
The 1.6 km Hutong Culture route runs through nine lanes, including Yu'er, Guaibang, Mao'er, Heizhima, Ju'er, Suoyi and Fuxiang, and passes the Jade River's ancient road and Qi Baishi Memorial Hall.
It is a 2.3 km walk along the north side of Qianhai, Liuyin Street and a branch on the north side of Houhai.
Yes. The 800 m Yu River embankment runs between Shichahai and Nanluoguxiang, and it combines well with the Shichahai route.
Go to Wudaoying Hutong and the lanes around it for cafes, boutiques and handicraft shops, and to Gulou Street for long-established shops and local snacks.
Do not assume that a home or courtyard is open to visitors. Enter only where access is clearly offered, and ask before photographing residents.
Walking is the best way to see the lanes. If you want to ride, look for signs at the entrance of each lane first.
