Dashilan (pronounced “dà shí lànr”—don’t worry if you get it wrong; even Beijingers mispronounce it all the time) is unquestionably Beijing’s oldest commercial street. It has been around since the Ming Dynasty and is over 500 years old. Legendary brands like Rui Fu Xiang, Nei Lian Sheng, and Tong Ren…
In Beijing, there is a hutong with a delightful-sounding name: Jinyu Hutong (Goldfish Hutong). You might wonder if there are goldfish in this hutong, and the answer is no. But it holds many stories far more interesting than the goldfish itself. But there are many stories here that are even…
Last Updated: Sep. 2026 The first time I stood at the eastern entrance of Zhuanta Hutong, I was actually a bit taken aback—not because of its width (it’s quite narrow, as expected), but because the first thing I saw was a tower.
Tucked away on the east side of North Deshengmen Street in Beijing lies a small alley named Shangqin Hutong. It is only 246 meters in length and may seem ordinary at first glance, yet behind its name lies an interesting piece of wordplay and a story of the rise and fall of…
The first time I stood in the middle of Lingjing Hutong, I was truly amazed—it completely shattered my preconceived notion of Beijing hutongs as “narrow, cramped, and low-ceilinged.” It’s not the kind of old alley where you have to walk sideways; instead, it’s a unique hutong wide enough for cars…
If you’re already in Nanluoguxiang, don’t rush to walk the entire length of the main street and leave. Head west into Mao’er Hutong—it takes less than 10 minutes—and you’ll leave the commercialized tourist district behind to discover a different side of Beijing.
If you visit Nanluoguxiang in Beijing, don’t miss the quiet, story-filled Yu’er Hutong next door. Like a “fishbone” on the western side of Nanluoguxiang’s “fish spine,” it hides centuries of history and the footprints of artistic masters. Pre-trip Tip: If this is your first visit to Nanluoguxiang, don’t just treat…
If you enjoy exploring Beijing’s old neighborhoods, this narrow lane called Ouya Hutong is well worth a visit. Though absent from major tourist maps, it holds stories of ordinary life in old Beijing.
When visiting the Temple of Heaven, 90% of people head straight for the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar, snap a few photos, and leave. I, however, prefer to venture into the quiet southwest corner—where a blue glazed-tile palace, the Zhaigong, stands as the only one…
