Beijing Rickshaw - Best Way to Explore Beijing Hutongs

The rickshaw history is entwined with the history of Hutongs in Beijing. Historically, rickshaws have become the main public transportation in Beijing due to the unique Beijing architectural layout and structure, especially Hutongs, a type of narrow and either straight or winding alleys, formed by lines of Siheyuan (四合院), quadrangle courtyards in Chinese which were initially constructed in the Yuan Dynasty (1271 AD – 1368 AD).

Later in the Ming Dynasty (early 15th century), the Forbidden City was established as the city center. Citizens of higher social status and aristocrats lived closer to the center with a large number of Siheyuan being built and more hutongs came into being as the passage of two courtyards. Not until 1898 in the late Qing Dynasty Beijing rickshaws were widely used. Because of, most of the time, narrow and winding hutongs, locals preferred rickshaws for a more convenient everyday trip.

Beijing Hutongs are the representative spots of Beijing, and Beijing's ancient capital culture is regarded as the “culture of Hutongs or quadrangle dwellings”. Visitors to Beijing will first long for seeing deep and serene hutongs and fair quadrangle dwellings rather than those super-high rises or the wide broadways. Rickshaws provide visitors with a good opportunity to better explore Beijing Hutongs.

Catch a Glimpse of the Century-old Beijing Culture

Rickshaws keep the memories of generations of old Beijingers and every tile and brick has a long history of at least over hundreds of years. Rickshaws provide visitors with valuable insight into Beijing's history and local Beijingers’ normal life. The rickshaws move with the riders pedaling forward and shutting among Hutongs varying in size and style. You can leisurely appreciate historical sites of previous dynasties, such as Prince Gong’s Mansion, which is one of the most exquisite and best-preserved imperial mansions in Beijing, the Former Residence of Guo Moruo (郭沫若故居), the great and famous Chinese author, poet, historian, etc.

Taking rickshaws in Beijing is a special means of traveling unseen now in most other international cities. If you have limited time, it's highly suggested that you choose a rickshaw. Well-trained rickshaw riders will make good use of your time and take you directly to highlights of Beijing Hutongs, giving most of your time for your deep exploration of these magnificent mansions, classical Beijingers' quadrangle courtyards as well as wonderful stories of legendary figures, and also to take awesome pictures. Moreover, rather than taking a walk or riding a bicycle, you can restore more strength and energy by picking a rickshaw. Besides, compared with adopting cars as your mode of transport, it will be more relaxing if you take a slow-paced rickshaw, which will offer you a chance to wholeheartedly dive into an authentic Beijing world.

Former Residence of Guo Moruo (郭沫若故居) →Qianhaibeiyan (前海北沿) →Houhainanyan (后海南沿) →Xiaoxiangfeng Hutong (小翔凤胡同) From the North Gate to the South →Daxiangfeng Hutong (大翔凤胡同) to the West →Liuyin Street (柳荫街) → Former Residence of Guo Moruo (郭沫若故居)

Route 2:

Former Residence of Guo Moruo (郭沫若故居) →Qianhaibeiyan (前海北沿) →Yinding Bridge (银锭桥) → Houhaibeiyan (后海北沿) →Yeya Island (野鸭岛) and turn back →Xiaoxiangfeng Hutong (小翔凤胡同) From the North Gate to the South →Daxiangfeng Hutong (大翔凤胡同) to the West →Liuyin Street (柳荫街) → Former Residence of Guo Moruo (郭沫若故居)

The routes will generally pass by Prince Gong’s Mansion (恭王府), one of the most exquisite and best-preserved imperial mansions in Beijing which were originally constructed for Heshen, an official known for his corrupt affairs, and then renamed after Prince Gong, an influential statesman in the late Qing Dynasty and many old Beijing Siheyuan which was believed to be inhabited by many celebrities such as great poets, author and historian Guo Moruo (郭沫若), the author of Dream of the Red Chamber Cao Xueqin (曹雪芹), the famous female writer Ding Ling (丁玲), etc.

Note: The two routes and rickshaw stops above are only for reference. They may change according to open access to historical sites, weather, official regulations, etc.

1. The official running time of Beijing Hutong Rickshaw is from 7:00 - 17:00. You're suggested to take a rickshaw before 16:30, for the rickshaw riders will get off work at 17:00 and every trip takes 30 minutes, and some sight spots will close, too. For example, the admission time of Prince Gong's Mansion is 16:10 and it closes at 17:00.

2. Hutong areas are mostly narrow laneways. When getting off the rickshaw to make a personal visit, you need to watch out for other rickshaws passing by to avoid being bruised.

3. Hutong rickshaws are popular among travelers, and if you're afraid of failing to find one free rickshaw, you'd better make a rickshaw reservation.

4. There are many famous hutongs in Beijing, such as Shichahai, Nanluoguxiang, Guijie, etc., and you don’t have to visit all of them. Simply choose your most liked Hutong areas to visit according to your interests and time.

5. Try to learn Beijing hutongs' history and culture ahead of time and then you'll have a better understanding during your trip.

Many hutongs, some several hundred years old, are well preserved in the vicinity of Shichahai. Besides the rickshaw tour, you can pay a visit to the most visited hutongs nearby as well.

Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷)

Nanluoguxiang is one of the oldest hutongs in Beijing with a history of over 740 years. It is also the traditional residential area of checkerboard type with the most-preserved hutong and courtyard in the Yuan dynasty (A.D. 1271 - 1368), the largest scale, the highest level, and the most resources in China, and the richest old Beijing flavor. Near the city center, it was a rich land hundreds of years ago, with countless imperial mansions and grand courtyards left along this alley.

Yandaixie Street (烟袋斜街)

Yandaixie Street, or Yandai Byway (烟袋斜街), is the oldest slanting street in Beijing with a total length of 232m. It got the name because many stores sold long-stemmed Chinese pipes and hookahs, and other smoking sets prevailed along this street from the late Qing dynasty to the 1930s. Furthermore, since Yandaixie Street is a top famous cultural street in northern Beijing with abundant simple old Beijing buildings and a full atmosphere of cultural and artistic breath, tourists can see the remains of many cultural celebrities and find antiques, paintings, and calligraphic works, and ancient constructions, etc. there.

Bell Tower & Drum Tower Hutongs Area

Hutongs in this Bell Tower (钟楼) and the Drum Tower (鼓楼) area extend in all directions with famous Beijing time-honored brands and antique culture surrounding them. It is like a magic experience to roam in these deep and quiet hutongs, admiring the old pines and overhanging eaves of the hundreds-year-old dwellings, and hearing the ear-pleasing chime and drumbeat at a fixed time.

If you're interested in the old Beijing atmosphere in Beijing Hutong, you're highly suggested to take a look at Top 10 Most Visited Beijing Hutongs.

The most popular hutongs that you can leisurely take a rickshaw to explore the Beijngers' original way of life and their traditional culture is mainly located in the south and north of Forbidden City, the center of Beijing city, with a distance of about 30 minutes' drive. It's very convenient to transfer from hutongs to other shining attractions in Beijing, such as Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace. Furthermore, you should not miss the Great Wall – the must-go spot in Beijing.

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