Beijing Hutong

Nowadays, when people are talking about old Beijing, the things that first appear in your mind might be the hutongs and siheyuan. In fact, the old Beijing city can be described as a place that formed by hutongs and siheyuan. Hutongs are the small lanes that inter-connecting neighboring siheyuan which later forms a huge residential network. Hutong and Siheyuan used to house majority of the residents of Beijing city. Besides describing the way that Beijing locals live, hutongs and siheyuan is also one of the most significant representatives of Beijing culture. Anyway, the rapid development in Beijing has caused this culture to loose its importance in the daily life of Beijing locals. However, this unique culture will be here forever as the essence of Beijing culture. Beijing Hutong Tour is the best way for you to discover the unique characteristic of hutongs. On top of that, there are many Beijing Day Tours that included Beijing hutongs as one of the destinations within the itinerary too.

Beijing Hutong

Beijing Hutong
Hutong is one of the most significant elements of Beijing culture. Originated from Yuan Dynasty, the word Hutong was actually meant for small lane in Mongolian language.
You can simply describe Beijing city as a place that formed by various types of hutongs. Try to imagine that the number of hutongs in Beijing used to reach over 7000 in the early of 1950s. All these hutongs have their very unique names and generally there is a story behind the given name of the hutong. Some of the hutongs are named on famous personnel, well known markets, local specialties as well as Beijing local cultures.
Sanmiaojie Hutong with over 900 years of development history is well known as the oldest hutong in Beijing. On the other hand, Dongxijiaominxiang Hutong with total length of 6.5 kilometers is the longest hutong in Beijing while Yichidajie Hutong within hundred meters is the shortest hutong in Beijing. The narrowest hutong is Qianshi Hutong which situated adjacent to Qianmen Area with 0.7 meters width only. The hutong in Beijing has become a part of living for the residents in Beijing. If you wish to experience the daily life of old Beijing locals, then Beijing hutong tours will be a must for you throughout your vacation in Beijing.

Beijing Siheyuan

 Beijing Siheyuan 
 The most significant residential type of northern China is the siheyuan. Siheyuan is the most common type of residence for Beijing locals ever since Yuan Dynasty. Anyway, the entire siheyuan that you can see nowadays are generally built within Qing Dynasty and late 1930s. The most famous preserved siheyuan in Beijing is Prince Gong’s Mansion which located not far from Houhai Bar Street.
Siheyuan is actually a group of architecture that surrounded by walls or rooms at four directions. The interior part of siheyuan is strictly based on the particular rules and restrictions set by ancient feudal system of China. Generally, all rooms and courtyards within siheyuan are properly arranged symmetrically on both sides of the north south axis. In other word, siheyuan has fully visualized the wish that human to be one with the heaven.
In fact, siheyuan is a general name of the type of architecture whereas the different sizes of siheyuan will determine the standard of the siheyuan itself. Basically, siheyuan can be divided into three categories which consist of large siheyuan, small siheyuan and sanheyuan (three sided only). Normally, the main entrance is the only gateway for the residents of the entire siheyuan to the surrounding area and the windows that facing outwards are generally closed. Anyway, only for the rooms that facing south might have some little windows opened at very high place of the building. Therefore, when the main entrance is closed, the interior of the siheyuan forms a secluded private courtyard.

Tours might suit your interests
	Beijing Day Tour to Tiananmen, Forbidden City & Beijing Hutong Tour Code: BJPDT1005 Highlights: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Beijing Hutong
	Beijing Day Tour to Beijing Hutong, Beijing Zoo & Lama Temple Tour Code: BJPDT1021 Highlights: Beijing Hutong, Beijing Zoo & Lama Temple
	Half Day Beijing Hutong Tour Tour Code: BJTUT1001 Highlights: Beijing Hutong and daily life of Beijing folks
	Half Day Old Beijing Hutong Tour Tour Code: BJTUT1002 Highlights: Beijing Hutong tour in depth
	One Day Beijing Hutong Tour Tour Code: BJTUT1003 Highlights: Beijing Hutong, Drum Tower, Bell Tower, Prince Gong’s Mansion