Beijing Houhai CityWalk Route Guide: The Best Guide to Strolling Through Old Beijing

If you’re looking to experience an authentic stroll through Beijing, the Houhai area is definitely the top choice. Here, historic hutongs, waterfront scenery, and vibrant local life blend seamlessly, with every step offering a glimpse of old Beijing’s charm.

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.

Quick Facts

• Duration: 2–3 hours
• Distance: Approximately 3 kilometers
• Difficulty: Easy, entirely on flat ground
• Nearest subway stations: Shichahai Station (Line 8) / Gulou Dajie Station (Line 2)

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

Highlights of the Route

This loop features the following key attractions:

• Great Zanglonghua Temple: An ancient temple dating back to the Ming Dynasty, once closely linked to the Qing imperial family.
• Wanghai Tower: A lakeside pavilion with a history dating back to the Yuan Dynasty, a famous scenic spot in the Ming Dynasty.
•  Prince Regent’s Mansion: A large-scale Qing imperial mansion with rich historical stories.
• Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling: Nestled in a royal mansion garden, an elegant and tranquil retreat.
• Liuyin Street: A quiet, willow-lined street perfect for a stroll.
• Prince Gong’s Mansion: A magnificent imperial mansion known as “half the history of the Qing Dynasty”, famous for its Three Unique Treasures.
• Shichahai Sports School: A renowned school that has trained numerous martial arts and sports stars.
• Huixiantang Restaurant: A famous old Beijing restaurant, once a gathering place for celebrities in history.

Detailed Route and Attraction Introduction

 Start: From Ancient Temples to Former Royal Mansions

We recommend starting your exploration from the North Bank of Houhai.

• Great Zanglonghua Temple (No.23 North Bank of Houhai): First built in the Ming Dynasty, this temple was renamed during the Daoguang Reign of the Qing Dynasty and served as the family temple of Prince Regent Zaifeng in the late Qing Dynasty. Today, it is part of Beijing Beihai Kindergarten, standing quietly by the water’s edge.
• Wanghai Tower: Continuing along the lakeside, you will reach Wanghai Tower. First established in the Yuan Dynasty, it was ordered to be rebuilt by Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) of the Ming Dynasty, turning it into a popular leisure spot for the imperial family and nobles of that time.
•  Prince Regent’s Mansion (Prince Chun’s Mansion, No.44 North Bank of Houhai): This grand architectural complex was initially the mansion of Mingzhu, a Grand Secretary of the Qing Dynasty, and later became Prince Chun’s Mansion. In the late Qing Dynasty, Zaifeng became the Prince Regent of the Qing Dynasty, and the place was hence named the Prince Regent’s Mansion. It is a living textbook for understanding Qing imperial mansion architecture and is now a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.
• Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling (No.46 North Bank of Houhai): Adjacent to the Prince Regent’s Mansion, this place was originally the garden of Prince Chun’s Mansion. Soong Ching-ling, an important stateswoman of the People’s Republic of China, lived here from 1963 until her passing in 1981. It is now a memorial hall set in an exquisitely elegant and peaceful environment.

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: True to its name, the street is lined with lush willow trees. It received its new name after the founding of the People’s Republic of China; in old Beijing, it was better known by its former monikers “Liushuwanr (Willow Bay)” or “South Street of Liguangqiao”. It is a perfect spot to experience the charm of Shichahai for free.
•  Prince Gong’s Mansion: The southern end of Liuyin Street leads to one of the most important attractions on this trip–Prince Gong’s Mansion. A folk saying goes, “One Prince Gong’s Mansion tells half the history of the Qing Dynasty”, a testament to its profound historical significance. It was first the luxurious mansion of Heshen, a powerful minister of the Qing Dynasty, and later passed into the hands of Prince Gong Yixin. The Western-Style Gate, Stele of the Character Fu (Blessing), and Grand Opera House in the mansion are known as the “Three Unique Treasures of Prince Gong’s Mansion” and are well worth a visit. It is recommended to join a guided tour to learn about its rich historical stories.
• Shichahai Sports School: Just across the street from Prince Gong’s Mansion. This prestigious sports school is where martial arts superstars Jet Li, Donnie Yen, and Wu Jing, as well as table tennis champion Zhang Yining and many other sports celebrities, 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.

Huixiantang Restaurant (No.18 North Bank of Qianhai, Shichahai): It is one of the famous “Eight Great Halls” restaurants in old Beijing and was once an upscale gathering place for literati, refined scholars, and social celebrities in history. There is also a historical mystery surrounding it: it is said that Li Lianying, an influential eunuch of the late Qing Dynasty, was assassinated nearby after attending a feast here, and the culprit remains unknown to this day.

Best Time to Visit and Tips

Spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather and ideal lighting for photography.

3:00–7:00 PM: Enjoy both lake views and night scenery.

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.

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