Beijing Houhai CityWalk Route Guide: A 2–3-Hour Stroll Through Hutongs, Mansions, and Shichahai

If this is your first time in Beijing and you want to spend a few hours taking in the views of Shichahai Lake, the layout of old Beijing hutongs, the remnants of Qing Dynasty princely mansions, and the vibrant local street life all at once, Houhai is a great area to explore on foot.

Here, ancient ruins, waterside scenery, and the daily lives of ordinary people intertwine, allowing you to experience the unique charm of old Beijing at every turn.

This short loop around Houhai connects ancient temples, princely mansions, the former residences of famous figures, and authentic hutongs. During the Republican era, this area served as Beijing’s cultural and entertainment hub, and today it still preserves a wealth of historical sites. In just 2–3 hours, you can immerse yourself in the history and laid-back atmosphere of old Beijing.

Who is this Houhai CityWalk for?

✅ First-time visitors to Beijing: Those who want to get a feel for Shichahai and Old Beijing’s urban charm in half a day

✅History buffs: The route features ancient temples, Qing Dynasty princely mansions, and the former residences of modern and contemporary celebrities

✅ Hutong enthusiasts: Liuyin Street and the surrounding alleys offer a more authentic glimpse of local life than simply walking around the lake

✅ Those who prefer a stroll: The entire route is about 3 kilometers of flat terrain, emphasizing a slow, leisurely experience rather than rushing from one spot to the next

Quick Facts

• Duration: 2–3 hours
• Distance: Approximately 3 kilometers. Does not include additional walking distance incurred when entering individual attractions
• Difficulty: Easy, entirely on flat ground
• Nearest subway stations: Shichahai Station (Line 8) / Gulou Dajie Station (Line 2)

Ticket Tip: The entire CityWalk walking route is free; however, if you wish to visit attractions such as the Prince Gong’s Mansion and the Song Qingling Former Residence, you’ll need to purchase separate tickets and make a reservation in advance.

Route Overview

This compact loop is packed with attractions and avoids backtracking, taking you from historic sites along the waterfront to the old streets of the Prince’s Mansion, offering a one-stop tour of the highlights of Houhai:

Dazang Longhua Temple → Wanghai Tower → Regent Prince’s Mansion → Song Qingling’s Former Residence → Liuyin Street → Prince Gong’s Mansion → Shichahai Sports School → Huixiantang

Route Logic: This itinerary isn’t just a random collection of attractions. The tour begins at the historical sites along the northern shore of Houhai, passes by Qing Dynasty princely mansions and the former residences of modern and contemporary celebrities, winds through the lively hutong neighborhoods, and finally returns to the shores of Shichahai.

Quick Overview of Major Attractions (Bookmark This Reference Chart)

Location	Why It’s Worth a Visit
Dazang Longhua Temple	One of the few surviving temple ruins on the north shore of Houhai
Wanghai Tower	A waterfront viewing spot offering panoramic views of Shichahai Lake and its historic surroundings
Regent Prince’s Mansion	Experience the architectural layout of a large Qing Dynasty princely mansion firsthand
Song Qingling’s Former Residence	Witness the transformation of a princely garden into a modern historical space
Liuyin Street	Transition from the legacy of imperial figures to the daily lives of ordinary Beijing residents
Prince Gong’s Mansion	The highlight of the entire route; it’s recommended to allocate more time here
Shichahai Sports School	A quick stop to learn about Beijing’s sports culture; no need to linger
Huixiantang	A remnant of a famous old Beijing restaurant, offering insight into the dining and social culture of literati in days gone by

Detailed Itinerary and Attraction Information

Start: From Ancient Temples to Former Royal Mansions

I recommend starting your exploration from the Houhai Beiyan.

Dazang Longhua Temple (23 Houhai Beiyan Road)

• Why Visit: Built during the Ming Dynasty, this temple was renamed during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty and served as the family temple of Regent Prince Zaifeng in the late Qing period. Today, it is part of the Beijing Beihai Kindergarten and sits quietly by the water.
• Recommended Stay: 5–10 minutes for a quick tour of the exterior
• Next Stop: Continue west along the northern shore of Houhai

Wanghai Tower

• Why Visit: The remains of an ancient tower overlooking the water, originally built during the Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty. In ancient times, it was a place where nobles came to enjoy the scenery; it’s a great spot to stop and gaze out over Shichahai Lake and take photos.
• Recommended Stay: 10 minutes, for sightseeing and taking photos
• Next Stop: Continue west along the northern shore of Houhai

Continue walking along the waterfront, and you’ll see Wanghai Tower. It dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, and Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) of the Ming Dynasty ordered its reconstruction, turning it into a favorite recreational spot for the imperial family and nobility at the time.

Regent’s Mansion (Mansion of the Prince of Chun, 44 Houhai Beiyan)

• Why visit: A major complex of Qing Dynasty princely mansions and a National Key Cultural Heritage Site; visitors can get a sense of the grand architectural scale of Qing Dynasty princely mansions from the outside.
• Recommended visit time: 10–15 minutes, exterior viewing only
• Next stop: Walk west to reach the Former Residence of Song Qingling

This grand complex of buildings was originally the residence of Mingzhu, a Grand Secretary of the Qing Dynasty, and later became the Prince Chun’s Mansion. In the late Qing Dynasty, when Zaifeng became the Regent Prince, the site came to be known as the Regent Prince’s Mansion.

It serves as a living textbook for understanding Qing Dynasty princely mansion architecture and is now a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

Song Qingling’s Former Residence (No. 46, Houhai Beiyan)

• Why visit: Originally the rear garden of Prince Chun’s Mansion, it is a tranquil and elegant setting; if you’re interested in modern and contemporary history, make a reservation to tour the interior; if not, you can still appreciate the courtyard layout from the outside.
• Recommended time: 5–10 minutes for a walk around the perimeter; allow 40–60 minutes for a guided tour inside.
• Next stop: Leave the former residence and turn south onto Liuyin Street.

Located right next to the Prince’s Mansion, this site was originally the garden of Prince Chun’s Mansion. Ms. Song Qingling, a prominent political figure in the People’s Republic of China, lived here from 1963 until she died in 1981. Today, it serves as a memorial hall and features a very elegant and serene setting.

Middle Section: Strolling Along Liuyin Street and Exploring Prince Gong’s Mansion

Turning from the North Bank of Houhai to Liuyin Street, the atmosphere becomes more immersed in the daily life of locals.

Liuyin Street

• Why Visit: This tree-lined, historic street is the perfect place to experience local hutong life. If you simply walk along the shores of Houhai Lake, you’ll mostly see tourist attractions; but by venturing into Liuyin Street, you can truly get a sense of the daily lives of ordinary Beijingers. There’s no need to rush—take your time to observe the residential buildings along the street and the locals resting under the trees, and turn into the short hutongs nearby to soak up the atmosphere of everyday life.
• Recommended Stay: 20–30 minutes, for a stroll
• Next Stop: Walk south along Liuyin Street to its end, where you’ll find the Prince Gong’s Mansion

True to its name, this street is lined with lush green willows. It was given its current name after the founding of the People’s Republic of China; older Beijingers may be more familiar with its former names, “Liushuwan’er” or “Li Guangqiao South Street.” This is the perfect spot to experience the charm of Shichahai for free.

Prince Gong’s Mansion

• Why Visit: The highlight of this itinerary. As the saying goes, “One Prince Gong’s Mansion equals half the history of the Qing Dynasty.” He Shen and Prince Gong Yixin both lived here, making it a prime example of a QingHouhai Beiyandynasty princely mansion.
• Recommended Time: 15 minutes for a quick walk; allow 1–1.5 hours for a full tour
• Next Stop: Directly across the street from the Prince Gong’s Mansion is the Shichahai Sports School

The southern end of Liuyin Street leads to one of this tour’s most important attractions—the Prince Gong’s Mansion. A popular saying goes, “The Prince Gong’s Mansion encapsulates half the history of the Qing Dynasty,” underscoring its historical significance. It was originally the lavish residence of He Shen, a powerful official of the Qing Dynasty, and later became the residence of Prince Gong Yixin.

Visiting the Prince Gong’s Mansion for the First Time: Top Picks When Time Is Limited

1. The overall architectural layout of the mansion

2. The Western-Style Houhai Beiyan Gate

3. The “Fu” Character Stele

4. The Grand Theater

5. The Back Garden

Tip: We recommend taking a guided tour to better understand the historical stories behind the site.

The “Western-Style Gate,” the “Fu Character Stele,” and the “Grand Opera House” within the mansion are known as the “Three Masterpieces of the Prince Gong’s Mansion” and are well worth seeing. We recommend taking a guided tour to learn about their rich history.

Shichahai Sports School

• Why visit: A renowned sports academy that has produced many kung fu and sports stars. It’s best viewed as a passing attraction along the route; it is not open to the public, so don’t make a special detour to stop here.
• Recommended stay: 3–5 minutes—just stop by the entrance to snap a photo
• Next stop: Walk east toward Qianhai

It’s right across from the Prince Gong’s Mansion. This sports school is world-renowned; it’s where martial arts superstars Jet Li, Donnie Yen, and Wu Jing, as well as table tennis champion Zhang Yining and other sports stars, trained in their early years.

End: A Historic Restaurant by Qianhai Lake

When you reach the junction of Houhai and Qianhai Lakes, the trip is drawing to a close.

Huixian Hall (No. 18, Qianhai Beiyan, Shichahai)

• Why visit: One of Old Beijing’s “Eight Great Halls,” a high-end restaurant where literati and celebrities once gathered; experience the dining and social culture of Shichahai in days gone by.
• Recommended duration: 5–10 minutes for an exterior visit; extend your stay if dining
• Next stop: Arrive at the shore of Qianhai Lake, where the tour ends. You may continue to Yinding Bridge and Yandai Xiejie.

This is one of the famous “Eight Great Halls” restaurants of old Beijing; historically, it was an upscale venue where literati, scholars, and social elites gathered.

According to a popular legend, Li Lianying, a powerful eunuch during the late Qing Dynasty, once attended a banquet here and was later assassinated nearby; however, this story is merely a rumor and lacks conclusive historical evidence to support it.

How much time do you have? Suggested itineraries for different durations

• 1.5Houhai Beiyanhour Express Tour: Houhai Beiyan → Liuyin Street → Outside the Prince Gong’s Mansion → Shichahai Lakeside—see only the highlights without entering any venues
• 2–3Houhai Beiyanhour Full Tour: Complete the entire CityWalk loop, viewing attractions from the outside only
• Half-Day In-Depth Tour: Complete Walking Itinerary + Access to the Prince Gong’s Mansion and Song Qingling’s Former Residence for an Inside Tour

This itinerary isn’t ideal for the following situations

• If your priority is to visit Beijing’s top attractions, such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, you can save this route for later;
• If you have little interest in ancient architecture or historical stories, you may find the pace a bit slow;
• If you only want to see the night view of Houhai, there’s no need to walk the entire loop—just head straight to the lakeside;
• If you’re traveling with young children, we recommend streamlining the itinerary and shortening the walking distance.

Best Time to Visit and Tips

Houhai Offers Different Scenery at Different Times of Day

• Morning: Fewer tourists; ideal for a quiet stroll through the hutongs and viewing historic architecture
• Afternoon: Offers a mix of princely mansions, hutongs, and lake views, making it suitable for most visitors’ itineraries
• Late Afternoon (3:00–7:00 PM): Enjoy both the lake views and the sunset, leading into the night scenery
• Summer evenings: Perfect for a lakeside stroll and soaking up Houhai’s nightlife atmosphere
• Winter: Daytime visits are recommended, as temperatures drop rapidly after sunset

Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather, with lighting ideal for photography; weekdays are less crowded, making for a more enjoyable experience.

Travel Tips

• How to Explore: The attractions on this route are concentrated, making it ideal for walking. You can arrange your time freely according to your interests, either for half a day or a full day.
• Walk and Discover: In addition to the main attractions mentioned above, you will pass by open spaces such as the Houhai Viewing Platform and Houhai Park along the way, where you can stop to rest and admire the lake scenery at any time.
• Experience the Culture: The area around Houhai is a microcosm of Beijing’s history and culture, witnessing the city’s changes over time. Slowing down your pace and observing the daily life of the locals in the hutongs is also an essential part of the experience.

If this were my first time taking a friend to Houhai, here’s how I’d plan it

• 3:00–4:00 p.m.｜North Shore of Houhai: Take in the exteriors of ancient temples and princely mansions
• 4:00–5:00 PM | Stroll along Liuyin Street; decide whether to visit the Prince Gong’s Mansion depending on the time
• 5:00–6:00 PM | By the lake where Qianhai and Houhai meet, wait for the sunset
• After sunset | Take a stroll along the lake
• Dinner | Choose a nearby restaurant; decide for yourself whether to continue exploring Houhai’s nightlife

Save This Route｜Take a screenshot before you go (great for sharing with travel companions)

Beijing Houhai CityWalk

Total distance: approx. 3 km

⏱Total walking time: 2–3 hours

Subway: Shichahai Station / Gulou Dajie Station

The walking route is free; separate tickets and reservations are required for venue visits

Highlights: Ancient temples, Qing Dynasty princely mansions, and former residences of modern and contemporary figures

Key Hutongs: Liuyin Street and surrounding alleys

Best Experience: Set out in the afternoon to catch both the sunset and lake views

Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes

⭐ Top Picks if Time Is Limited: Prince Gong’s Mansion + Liuyin Street + Shichahai Lakeside

Hope this guide helps you enjoy a discovery-filled walking tour of Beijing’s Houhai!