Beijing - Explore Hutong with Rickshaw Rides

Event date: 4th December 2006

Hutongs are a type of narrow streets or alleys, most commonly associated with Beijing. In Beijing, hutongs are alleys formed by lines of siheyuan, a traditional and historical courtyard residences. Many neighbourhoods were formed by joining one siheyuan to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another. The word hutong is also used to refer to such neighbourhoods. The Beijing Hutongs (old lane) areas have a very special and important position in the rich history and culture of Beijing.

The alleys give a wonderful glimpse into the world of yesterday in Beijing. While visiting the Beijing Hutong, you can appreciate the dramatic changes that the rest of Beijing has undergone. You can see evidence of the history of Beijing, experience the old way of life and experience traditional Beijing culture. Longer Beijing tours usually include a visit to a hutong area. Beijing hutongs, lanes or alleys formed by lines of siheyuan (a compound with houses around a courtyard) where old Beijing residents live, witness the vicissitude of the city. We made it a quick trip for taking pictures only by riding a rickshaw, arranged by the tour agent.

Beijing hutongs, lanes or alleys formed by lines of siheyuan (a compound with houses around a courtyard) where old Beijing residents live, witness the unexpected changes over times and period of the city. The word "hutong" originates from the word "hottog" which means "well" in Mongolian. Villagers dig out a well and inhabited there. Hutong means a lane or alley, in fact the passage formed by lines of siheyuan (a compound with houses around a courtyard) where old Beijing residents live.

It was recorded that in the Yuan dynasty a 36-meter-wide road was called a standard street, a 18-meter-wide one was a small street and a 9-meter-wide lane was named a hutong. In fact, Beijing hutongs are inequitable ranging from 40 centimeter to 10 meter wide. The longest has more than 20 turns. Either in east-west or north-south, Beijing hutongs varied as slant, half or "blind hutongs" cul-de-sacs. The gray-tiled houses and deep alleys crossing with each other in identical appearance like a maze, you will find it much fun to walk through. 1 need to be extra careful and mindful while wandering at a strange place, that's all.

The name of a hutong represents its origin, location or history. It is in the gray-tiled deep lanes that families play, travel, buy goods, gossip and connect. In Beijingers' eyes, hutong means a period of history, a cordial lifestyle and even an "encyclopedia of Beijing".

You may take plentiful of photograph of the old lanes and courtyard houses in the neighboring Hutongs, like I did in this entry. It is advisable to take a rickshaw or bike to explore Beijing’s charming lanes. The visit to a local family, who’ve lived in the Hutongs for generations, offers a local perspective of history is recommended, however, we did not have an apportunity to do so as we were in quite large group and due to time constraint.

Silver Ingot Bridge, separating Houhai and Qianhai lakes can be seen in below photos. There are many hutongs in the area. Be presence in this area, made me wonder of Marco Polo. He must have been here too, many centuries before, walking by the river and giving ideas to built a connecting bridge between the 2 rivers just like a bridge that I've seen in Venice. 1 cant help but feeling a bit of Venice in here.

Throughout Chinese history, the siheyuan composition was the basic pattern used for residences, palaces, temples, monasteries, family businesses and government offices. In ancient times, a spacious siheyuan would be occupied by a single, usually large and extended family, signifying wealth and prosperity. Today, many remaining siheyuan are still used as housing complexes, but many lack modern amenities.

Remarks: I must say on behalf of my family that the rides and the chances to be in Hutong in 2006 was indeed a blissful trip. Thank you hubby for the sponsorship :)