Beijing Hutong Tour

Pick up at your hotel and take a private transfer to the starting point of your full day walking tour - Yonghe Lama Temple, the largest lamasery in Beijing built in Qing Dynasty. Walk along the 700-year-old east-west Chengxian Street (also known as Guozijian Street) where you will see the Temple of Confucius. The Temple of Confucius was initially built in 1302 and additions were made during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the second largest temple constructed for Confucius, who is considered the greatest thinker and educator in ancient China.

Continue to walk to the Drum Tower. Bells and drums were musical instruments in ancient China. Later they were used as timepieces by government and became watches for the officials and common people as well. Drum Tower was initially built in 1272 (during the reign of Kublai Khan), was rebuilt in 1297, 1420 and 1539. The two-story structure was made of wood with a height of 47 meters. On its second floor there originally were 25 drums. Among them, there were one big drum and 24 smaller drums (The big one represents a year and the 24 small drums represent 24 solar terms of China). Now, only the big drum stays in the tower. The drum is beaten four times a day, for 15 minutes at a time. If you ascend the big drum tower, you will have an overview of the surrounding communities of hutongs (narrow alleys) and siheyuan (rectangular courtyard residencies).

In the afternoon, you will walk through the famous Yandai Xiejie (Tobacco Pipe Lean Street), which used to be well-known for sellers of long-stemmed pipes and whose shape is very much like a traditional Chinese tobacco pipe.  Then continue to walk across the Silver Ingot Bridge (Yin ding Bridge), which was originally built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) and is above a narrow channel connecting Qianhai Lake and the Houhai Lake. Later you will explore some typical hutongs in the Shichahai area like Da Jinsi Hutong that is rarely seen to remain the original layout of Hutong Area. Take private transfer to Wangfujing Street and enjoy your shopping time there. After that, transfer back to hotel.