Hutong and Siheyuan: Charms of Old Beijing

In addition to imperial structures and gardens, hutong and siheyuan (quadrangle) are characteristic of life in Beijing affordable China travel packages and perfect to tour, whether riding in a rickshaw, on a bike or on foot.

Most people who visit Beijing are drawn to its hutong and siheyuan (courtyard with houses on four sides). In Beijing, hutongs may follow criss-crossing grids or wind naturally with the environment; they house many families. If you want to known more about hutong, you should enter the quaint courtyards which are the main structures found in hutongs, and Beijing courtyards are famous all over the world. In ancient Beijing, in addition to the Forbidden City, imperial gardens, temples and yamen (govement departments top 10 China tours), most of the structures were for civil use. In the quaint courtyards, there lived not only old Beijingers from generation to generation, but also notables. Former residences of notables are the main attractions in some courtyards, allowing you an insight into the lives of historical, distinguished people.

Unfortunately, many of the old courtyard dwellings are becoming uninhabitable. Mode buildings are replacing them, and some hutongs are losing contact with the past. Nonetheless, hutongs still account for about one-third of the dwellings in Central Beijing. Many renowned hutongs have been preserved to protect Beijing’s heritage and to maintain the ancient charms of a mode and inteationalized Beijing.

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