Written by Matteo Updated Aug. 7, 2025

There are so many hutongs in Beijing that an old saying goes: there are 3,600 well-known hutongs, and countless unnamed ones like cattle and horses. Among them, Dongjiaomin Lane is the longest, while Yichi Street is the shortest. Walking through these hutongs, you'll escape the city's hustle and bustle and get close to Beijing's cultural vibes and rich sense of everyday life.

There are three ways to explore hutongs: on foot, by bike, or in a rickshaw. But remember, only the hutongs in Xicheng District have rickshaws. If you visit the hutongs in the Dongcheng District, you can only choose to walk or ride a bicycle.

1. Walking

Hutongs are quite narrow, with widths generally ranging from 2 to 4 meters, and some are even as narrow as 0.4 meters. So, if you want to truly experience the unique charm of hutongs, walking is the best way.

You can stroll along the uneven cobblestone alleys, taking a good look at the courtyard gates that have weathered the years. You can also turn into the small lanes to search for hidden gates, sausages hanging up, and lazy cats lying around.

2. Rickshaw Rides

You can hop on an old Beijing rickshaw and weave through the narrow hutong alleys. The local rickshaw pullers will tell you interesting stories about life in the courtyards, the customs of doorposts and eaves, as well as the traditional tales behind the screen walls.

They might even take you along secret paths that lead to peaceful courtyards. One rickshaw can seat two people, and the cost is about CNY200.

3. Biking

At the exits of subway stations, you can find shared bicycles and shared electric scooters. They are convenient for riding between the subway station and the hutong entrance or for getting around different hutongs.

However, be aware that electric scooters are not allowed inside the hutongs. You need to park them in designated areas and then walk into the hutongs.

Comparison On Foot Rickshaw By Bike
Operation Time   All Day   7:00-17:00   All Day  
Price   Free   CNY200   CNY1.5/minute  
Physical Exertion   High   Low   Medium  
Flexibility   Can stop at any time.   Fixed Route   You can plan the route on your own.  
Advantage   You can deeply experience hutong life.   Save time and effort   You can explore more areas by bike.  
Disadvantage   It is easy to get lost.   Short time   It is not easy to park.  
Target Group   The young and those who like walking   Family and the elder   The young and those who like riding  

When visiting Beijing's hutongs, it's best to choose spring or autumn and go in the morning or afternoon. Since hutongs are just narrow, open-air streets, Beijing's high temperatures and occasional rain in summer can seriously spoil your touring experience.

Nowadays, hutongs mainly serve two major purposes: one is for people to live in, and the other is for commercial operations. These areas are densely populated, so many hutongs are accessible by subway or bus.

Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing

Features: It is highly commercialized, making it a great place for shopping and sampling local snacks.

Take a Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tiananmen, it will take about 30 minutes and cost CNY30.

By Subway: Take Subway Line 6 or Line 8 and get off at Nanluoguxiang Station. Exit from Exit E.

Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing

Feature: It is the location of the Confucius Temple and the Imperial College, boasting a strong cultural atmosphere.

Take a Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tiananmen, it takes about 34 minutes and costs CNY30.

By Subway: Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Andingmen Station. Exit from Exit B.

Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing.

Feature: The road is wide, and there are numerous hotels densely lined on both sides.

By Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tiananmen, it will take about 30 minutes and cost CNY20.

By Subway: Take Beijing Subway Line 8 and get off at Exit B.

Location: Xicheng District, Beijing

Feature: It is a distribution center for antiques, calligraphy, and paintings, as well as the four treasures of the study.

Take a Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tiananmen, it takes about 12 minutes and costs CNY20.

By Subway: Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Hepingmen Station. Exit from Exit D.

Location: Xicheng District, Beijing

Feature: It has a unique shape, resembling a tobacco pipe.

Take a Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tiananmen, it takes about 35 minutes and costs CNY30.

By Subway: Take Beijing Subway Line 8 and get off at Shichahai Station. Exit from Exit A2.

Location: Xicheng District, Beijing

Feature: It's a traditional residential area brimming with a strong sense of daily life.

Take a Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tiananmen, it takes about 15 minutes and costs CNY20.

By Subway: Take Beijing Subway Line 7 or Line 8, get off at Zhushikou Station, and exit from Exit A.

Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing

Feature: It's the longest hutong in Beijing.

Take a Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tiananmen takes about 10 minutes and costs CNY20.

By Subway: Take Beijing Subway Line 2 or Line 5, get off at Chongwenmen Station, and exit from Exit A.

Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing

Feature: It used to be a street lined with Chinese banks in the old days.

Take a Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tiananmen takes about 10 minutes and costs CNY20.

By Bus: Take Bus 142, 9, or 66, and get off at Beijing Power Supply Bureau Station.

Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing

Feature: With a history spanning a century, it still retains its original charm and is one of the top ten hutongs in Beijing.

Take a Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tiananmen takes about 30 minutes and costs CNY20.

By Subway: Take Beijing Subway Line 8, get off at Shichahai Station, and exit from Exit C.

Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing

Feature: It features an architectural style that blends the ancient and the modern.

Take a Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tiananmen takes about 40 minutes and costs CNY30.

By Subway: Take Beijing Subway Line 8, get off at Shichahai Station, and exit from Exit C.

Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing

Feature: It is the location of the Confucius Temple and the Imperial College, with a rich cultural atmosphere.

Take a Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tiananmen takes about 40 minutes and costs CNY 40.

By Subway: Take Beijing Subway Line 8 or Line 5, get off at Yonghegong Lama Temple Station, and exit from Exit F.

Related Reading:

I recommend booking a private transfer with us! We'll arrange a driver to pick you up at the airport or train station. First, the driver will take you to the hotel to check in. After you've settled in, we'll send you directly to the hutongs you want to visit.

Once you've finished your tour, we'll take you back to the hotel or any other place you'd like to go. In short, our pick-up and drop-off locations are flexible. Just tell me where you want to get on and off, and leave the rest to us. You can just relax and enjoy your trip!

Do you want to take a look at the courtyards in the hutongs? However, I must inform you with regret that many homeowners don't allow tourists to visit their homes, as it's their private space. However, you can book a Beijing hutong tour with us.

Our experienced local guides will lead you to the homes of hutong residents, where you can experience activities with Chinese cultural features, such as writing with a Chinese brush and paper-cutting.