Dashiqiao Hutong in Beijing: A Quiet Alley Hidden by Shichahai, Home to a 440-Year-Old Ming Dynasty Temple

If you’ve grown tired of the crowds at Shichahai and the commercialization of Yandai Xiejie, why not turn into Dashiqiao Hutong, a nearby alley with almost no tourists?

There are no trendy shops, no hawkers’cries—just the leisurely daily life of old Beijing and a Ming Dynasty temple that has been quietly restored over many years. Walking here feels like truly stepping into the very soul of old Beijing.

Where is Dashiqiao Hutong? A Quiet Hidden Gem by Shichahai

Dashiqiao Hutong is located just west of Old Drum Tower Street, within walking distance of both Drum Tower and Shichahai—a surprising oasis of tranquility in the heart of the city.

It starts at Jiugulou Street in the east and ends as a dead-end cul-de-sac in the west, with no vehicle access. Intersecting with Shuangsi Hutong and Bifeng Hutong along the way, it’s easy to navigate without getting lost—perfect for a leisurely city stroll.

Compared to Nanluoguxiang and Yandai Xiejie, this area is less crowded, quieter, and has gentle slopes, making it comfortable for pushing strollers or taking elderly relatives for a walk. It’s my personal favorite, off-the-beaten-path walking route around Shichahai.

The Story Behind the Name: Which Bridge Is “Dashiqiao” Referring To?

This area was known as “Dashiqiao” (Great Stone Bridge) as far back as the Qing Dynasty, and it was officially named Dashiqiao Hutong in 1965.

Although the stone bridge from those days is no longer visible, the name has been in use for centuries. Like an old neighbor in the hutong, it has become a mark of time through repeated use.

The alley also harbors a little-known chapter of history:

During the Qing Dynasty, two high-ranking officials of the second rank—the Commander of the Right Wing of the Imperial Guard and the Deputy Commander of the Pure Yellow Banner—once lived here.

Those grand, secluded mansions of yesteryear have long since been transformed into ordinary residential courtyards. Step inside, and you’ll find the warmth of everyday life; the grandeur of history has quietly blended into the present.

The Hidden Ancient Temple: Nianhua Temple

The most distinctive spot in the hutong is Courtyard No.61, which harbors the secret of an ancient temple—Nianhua Temple. First built in the 9th year of the Wanli Reign of the Ming Dynasty (1581), it has a history of more than 440 years to this day.

Back then, Feng Bao, a eunuch in the imperial palace, commissioned the temple on the order of the Empress Dowager Xiaoding for Pianrong, a famous monk from Sichuan. Its original name was a lengthy one: “Imperial Protector and Grace Repaying Thousand-Buddha Chan Temple”, later shortened to Qianfo Temple (Thousand-Buddha Temple).

In the 11th year of the Yongzheng Reign of the Qing Dynasty (1733), the emperor ordered the renovation of the temple and bestowed it with a new name—Nianhua Temple, which has been in use ever since.

The Temple’s Transformations Through the Ages

This ancient temple has undergone numerous transformations over the more than a century that followed:

• 1926: Nianhua Temple Primary School was established on the temple grounds. Young monks here studied both Buddhist scriptures and Chinese literature.
• 1939: After Wu Peifu, a renowned warlord of the time, passed away, his coffin was laid in state for as long as seven years in the Wusheng Shrine to the east of the temple.
• After 1949: The temple was taken over by Renmin University of China and successively served as the campus for the university’s affiliated middle school, and later a printing house. During this period, the Mahavira Hall, the temple’s main hall, was demolished and rebuilt into a factory building.
• 1950s: The bronze Buddha statues in the temple’s Thousand-Buddha Pavilion were moved and preserved separately in the White Dagoba Temple and Fayuan Temple.
• 2014 to present: The temple was relocated, and a large-scale restoration project was launched. Currently, the heritage site is under renovation and temporarily closed to the public, with a sign of the Buddhist Association hanging at the entrance.

Dashiqiao Hutong Today: Ancient Temple Standing Beside High-Rises

In the middle section of Dashiqiao Hutong, many old courtyards have been demolished to make way for residential buildings, including a relatively high-end residential complex. Thus, the hutong presents a unique scene today: on one side stands the Ming Dynasty ancient temple under restoration, and on the other, modern residential buildings.

My Favorite Little Details

• Weathered old doors: Rusty brass rings, carved door frames—every door seems to have a story to tell.
• Plants in the corners: Flowers planted casually by residents, more vibrant than the decorations at trendy Instagram-worthy spots.
• Quiet alley entrances: No noise—you find yourself speaking softly without even realizing it.
• Light and shadow: In the afternoon, the slanting sunlight casts overlapping shadows from walls and trees, creating a particularly textured backdrop for photos.

Blogger’s Personal Guide | Da Shi Qiao Hutong Walking Route (No Backtracking)

Exit at Gulou Dajie Station on Metro Line 8 and walk to the west side of Old Gulou Dajie.

Enter Da Shi Qiao Hutong and stroll westward.

Pass by old courtyards and pause at the entrance of Nianhua Temple to soak in the history.

Turn into a side alley and walk toward Shichahai / Houhai / Yindin Bridge.

The entire route takes about half an hour—it’s easy, relaxing, quiet, and perfect for photos.

Practical Tips

• Location: West side of Jiugulou Street, Xicheng District, near Gulou and Shichahai
• Admission: Completely free; an open-access hutong, accessible anytime
• Suitable for: City walks, photography, experiencing old Beijing life, and family strolls
• Tips: The temple is currently closed to the public; please do not trespass. Respect residents’ privacy and avoid loud noise
• Best Time: 3–5 PM on sunny days, when the light is soft, and the hutong atmosphere is at its best

A Single Hutong, A Three-Dimensional History Book

From an imperial temple of the Ming Dynasty, to a primary school and a place for funeral rites in the Republican period, then to a university campus and a factory in the People’s Republic of China, and finally back to a cultural heritage site under restoration; from the grand mansions of Qing military officers, to today’s multi-family courtyards for ordinary people and modern residential complexes.

Dashiqiao Hutong is like an open three-dimensional history book, vividly showing how the lives of temples, officials, and ordinary people in Beijing’s hutongs have intertwined and evolved with the changes of history.