Beijing Tour Guide: Hutong Tour and Hutong Pedicab Rickshaw
old lanes, old city and old lifestyle - Is
this Beijing? Yes, it is Beijing in the past.
Life in Hutong
When visiting Beijing, the 'real' cultural center lies within the
hutongs. This is where local Beijingers live their lives not knowing
what is going on in Beijing itself, sometimes. You will find really
down to Earth good locals amazed at you visiting as a Waiguoren, or
foreigners. These people are hard working people who will be
delighted to meet you.
Hutong is a typical lane or small street in Beijing that
originated during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). "Hutong" is a
Mongolian word, meaning "water well". During that time, water well
is the settlement around which people lived. There are thousands of
hutongs surrounding the
Forbidden City.
In the past, Beijing was composed of countless courtyards. Hutongs
were formed when people left a passageway between two courtyards to
make entering them more convenient.
Since the mid-20th century, the number of Beijing hutongs has
dropped dramatically as they are demolished to make way for new
roads and buildings. More recently, some hutongs have been
designated as protected areas in an attempt to preserve this aspect
of Chinese cultural history.
Hutong represents an important culture element of Beijing city.
Thanks to Beijing’s long history and status as capital for six
dynasties, almost every hutong has its anecdotes, and some are even
associated with historic events. In contrast to the court life and
elite culture represented by the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and
the Temple of Heaven, the hutongs reflect the culture of grassroots
Beijingers. The hutongs are residential neighborhoods which still
form the heart of Old Beijing.
As the symbol of Beijing City, a hutong has its
own layout and structure, which makes it a wonder in the world. When
taking a bird's eye view of Beijing, you will find the combination
of hutongs and courtyards just like an orderly chessboard with
delicate gardens, fine rockeries, and ancient ruins. Hutongs have
witnessed the development of Beijing. Where there is a hutong, there
is a story.
Hutong Pedicab Rickshaw
Each hutongs are unique to another and is growing
in popularity as it is more community oriented. Many foreign expats,
also, are wanting to relocate within the hutongs for security and
for the community environment. A famous hutong where many
rickshaw
tours are held are in the
Houhai area.
Hutong Pedicab Rickshaw Tours
Check our Beijing Bus Tour Programs. You can tour Beijing with our
group bus tour programs for various routes.
Learn more about Beijing private and
non-private tours.
|