The Beijing Hutongs are as much a part of the city as the Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square. Hutongs originally referred to alleyways or narrow streets found throughout Beijing. However, the word eventually came to be used to refer to neighbourhoods formed around such streets as well. These neighbourhoods act as a microcosm of life in Beijing and have transformed from mere passages that lead to various city attractions to being attractions themselves. The term ‘hutong’ is thought to be derived from a Mongolian word meaning ‘water well’ and is a reference to how early neighbourhoods sprung around sources of water. The origins of such areas can be traced to the Yuan Dynasty.
While most hutongs tend to be similar there are some that have gained prominence. Beixinqiao Hutong is renowned as having the most turns (more than twenty in all). Qian Shi Hutong is the narrowest, measuring less than forty centimetres at its narrowest parts, and Dong Jiaomin Hutong is the longest, measuring well over six kilometres in length. In recent times a number of such areas have been demolished to make room for new buildings and roads. Attempts have been made to preserve certain hutongs for cultural purposes. However, as progress slowly changes the cityscape there is no better time to visit Beijing’s hutongs than the present. One can explore these various areas on foot or more appropriately by rickshaws.
As the capital of China, Beijing is home to many of the nation’s cultural and historical treasures. This has made the Chinese capital a highly popular tourist destination. The city contains a number of museums, such as the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the Museum of Chinese History, which offer intriguing insights into the mysterious East. Beijing is also a massive transit hub from which the entire country is accessible. It is the ideal starting point for tourists’ intent on venturing deeper into China.
Tourists who want excellent service and tastefully decorated hotel rooms in Beijing can book accommodation at Langham Place Beijing Capital Airport. This Beijing airport hotel is only minutes away from the airport and a quick drive from the city’s most popular attractions.