Beijing is well known for its hutongs which symbolize the old history and culture of Beijing. People who take a trip to Beijing shouldn’t miss a hutong tour because walking through the hutongs is like putting yourself back into the old times and thus gives a good way of experiencing the history and culture of Beijing. The best areas for hutong tours are the Shichahai area which is said to be the most beautiful and where you can find ancient palaces, temples and historical figures homes. This article will look at hutongs in Shichahai area and hopefully it will be helpful for travelers on Beijing Tours.
Xizhuan Hutong
Our first stop is Xizhuan Hutong and Fayuan Monastery. You can take Bus 102 to Jiaozi Hutong, in which Xizhuan Hutong is just to the east of it. Xizhuan Hutong was called Zhuan’er Hutong in the Ming dynasty and got its current name in the Qing dynasty. Starting from Guanganmen Neidajie in the north and ending at Qijing Hutong in the south, it is 585 meters long and 4.1 meters wide. It is famous for Tazhuan (a material for building towers). Fayuan Monastery is just nearby. Built in Tang dynasty, it is the most ancient monastery in Beijing. It is an important center for studying Buddhism. If you go there in spring, we will view the beautiful scenery of blooming cloves.
The second stop will be Chengxianjie. It is an east-west hutong located in Andingmen, Dongcheng District. Here we can see the precious Pailou (decorated archway), old locust trees lining on the two sides of the hutong and the old buildings among a sea of green trees. Walking through this hutong, we will encounter the famous Guozijian, Confucian Temple and Yonghe Lama Temple. Guozijian is the ancient imperial college. Built in Yuan dynasty, it was the highest college in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Currently it is where the Capital Library stands. The nearby Confucian Temple is the second largest one in China. The Yonghe Lama Temple is the largest temple in Beijing which integrates the architectures of Han, Man and Zang nations.
The next stop is Xilou Hutong and Bailin Temple. Walk out from the east exit of Chengxianjie and you will see Xilou Hutong on the opposite side of the street. Xilou Hutong is surrounded by common people’s residences.
Bailin Temple
Walking in this hutong, you can have a view of the daily life of common people in Beijing. Then we come to Bailin Temple which is also called the “Monastery of the Cypress Grove” as there are a lot of old cypress trees growing there. This is also a Buddha temple and one of the eight temples in Beijing and there is a carving wall with very exquisite and beautiful carvings on it.
All of these places are free except Fayuan Monastery which requires a 5-yuan entrance ticket. So it will be a cheap tour. However, it is also a rich tour in that it provides a good chance for you to learn about the history and culture of Beijing through hutongs and the temples nearby them. So, don’t forget to go to these places during your china travel.
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