Nestled near Beijing’s Shichahai Lake lie two hutongs with delightfully interesting names–South Qianchuan Hutong and North Qianchuan Hutong.

Nestled near Beijing’s Shichahai Lake lies Qiangan Hutong, an ordinary-seeming lane that bears a wealth of history. Stretching straight and narrow from Qianhai West Street in the east to Sanqiaoqiao Hutong in the west, it can be seen in its entirety at a single glance.

If you wander through the Shichahai area of Beijing, you may step into an ancient lane named Sanqiaoqiao Hutong. Stretching from Qianhai West Street in the north to Di’anmen West Street in the south, it is now a major thoroughfare leading to the famous scenic spot of Prince Gong’s Mansion….

Nestled near Beijing’s Shichahai Lake lies Liuyin Street, a tranquil hutong brimming with stories. Stretching north to south and lined with lush green trees, this street sits atop what was once a real flowing river.

Qianhai West Street lies near Beijing’s Shichahai Scenic Area. Starting from Di’anmen West Street in the south, it leads east to the North Bank of Qianhai and west to the northern entrances of Liuyin Street and Longtoujing Street. In the middle, it connects with many hutongs, including Sanqiaqiao Hutong, Zhanzi Hutong, and…

In Beijing’s Shichahai Scenic Area, Yindingqiao Hutong is a unique, poetic little lane, named after the Yindingqiao Bridge that stands directly to its north. Winding south from the bridgehead of Yindingqiao Bridge all the way to Nanguanfang Hutong, it stretches a mere 94 meters in length. Though the hutong itself…

Nestled near Beijing’s Shichahai Lake lies Zhanzi Hutong, a lane adjacent to the renowned scenic spot of Prince Gong’s Mansion. Winding north to south, this hutong was known as “Zhanzifang” (Felt Storage House) in the early Qing Dynasty, for it was once a place where felt—a thick woolen fabric that…

Among Beijing’s labyrinth of hutongs, East Meichang Hutong and West Meichang Hutong are two lanes steeped in stories. Their names date back to the early Qing Dynasty, when coal yards were established in this area. Historical records show the coal yards were situated south of Guangfu Guan, west of Xiangzha,…

Tucked away in the intricate network of hutongs near Beijing’s Shichahai Lake lies Qianjing Hutong, an unassuming little lane. Stretching a mere 311 meters in a north-south direction, it connects Nanguanfang Hutong and Beiguanfang Hutong.