The Ultimate Address Book for Beijing's Hutongs
📝What is a Hutong
Hutong (胡同) in Chinese translates to "alley" and refers to a distinctive type of narrow street found in Beijing. These alleys are created by rows of grey-brick houses positioned side by side. The houses themselves are known as siheyuan (四合院, meaning "quadrangle" or "courtyard residence").
A siheyuan represents an ancient style of Chinese residential architecture, composed of four sections of rooms arranged in a north-south orientation, naturally forming a central courtyard. Typically, siheyuans are single-story structures, so any multi-story versions you come across are either recent constructions or have undergone modern modifications.
➜ Want to know more about the hutongs and their history? You can find further information, details, and insights here:
📍Where to find the Hutongs
Hutongs are scattered throughout the areas surrounding the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, but certain locations stand out as more intriguing. In these areas, your experience is likely to be much more immersive and memorable.
