Shijia Hutong
Shijia Hutong
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- Dengshikou • 2 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.0
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76
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73
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23
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6
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nancy921
Taipei, Taiwan19,454 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Shi Jiahutong~
Close to Wangfujing Pedestrian Street is Beijing’s <様baner Hutong>.
Almost all of them are residential buildings, and only the appearance of the alleys has been preserved.
There is a lower grade class area of "Shijia Hutong Primary School" close to the block.
When I went shopping during the day, there were no people and no shops. There were only a few antique B&Bs with cars parked at the door!
Close to Wangfujing Pedestrian Street is Beijing’s <様baner Hutong>.
Almost all of them are residential buildings, and only the appearance of the alleys has been preserved.
There is a lower grade class area of "Shijia Hutong Primary School" close to the block.
When I went shopping during the day, there were no people and no shops. There were only a few antique B&Bs with cars parked at the door!
Written 8 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee
Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar287 contributions
Sept 2014 • Solo
The Hutongs are fast disappearing from Beijing, but the Shijia area has retained a few of its original buildings and old China feeling. Getting there requires travelling on the Subway to DengShiKou (灯市口站) on Line 5. Take exit A from the station and the Hutong should be the first road on the right, look for the primary school at the mouth of the street.
The Hutong is a narrow road with some old style Beijing housing, unfortunately the houses don't run on each side of the road anymore and the houses are interrupted with some modern building. I can recommend that the 2 roads north of Shijia, Yanyue (演乐胡同) and Benshi (本司胡同) will tick more boxes for those looking for more of a picturesque atmosphere.
What the Shijia Hutong does have is a small museum, allowing visitors to wander about the old courtyard style home in which the museum is set. Admission is free, you'll find the museum at number 24. The museum has plenty of English and paints a good picture of the streets history along with what the whole area looked like in its prime. Details are given about famous previous residents from the world of politics, art and culture along with their former addresses, which makes a stroll up the street that bit more interesting. There is a hotel, The Red Wall, for those who want to spend the night in a renovated (possibly beyond recognition) hutong. The Youth Hostel and Bar at the opposite end of the street should be given a wide birth.
Shijia Hutong and the surrounding streets will let you see what a large part of Beijing looked like up until around 10 years ago. Those who have taken in the main sites of the city should make an effort to visit Shijia to get an even better idea of the cities history, before places like this are renovated too much.
The Hutong is a narrow road with some old style Beijing housing, unfortunately the houses don't run on each side of the road anymore and the houses are interrupted with some modern building. I can recommend that the 2 roads north of Shijia, Yanyue (演乐胡同) and Benshi (本司胡同) will tick more boxes for those looking for more of a picturesque atmosphere.
What the Shijia Hutong does have is a small museum, allowing visitors to wander about the old courtyard style home in which the museum is set. Admission is free, you'll find the museum at number 24. The museum has plenty of English and paints a good picture of the streets history along with what the whole area looked like in its prime. Details are given about famous previous residents from the world of politics, art and culture along with their former addresses, which makes a stroll up the street that bit more interesting. There is a hotel, The Red Wall, for those who want to spend the night in a renovated (possibly beyond recognition) hutong. The Youth Hostel and Bar at the opposite end of the street should be given a wide birth.
Shijia Hutong and the surrounding streets will let you see what a large part of Beijing looked like up until around 10 years ago. Those who have taken in the main sites of the city should make an effort to visit Shijia to get an even better idea of the cities history, before places like this are renovated too much.
Written 10 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack M
Tucson, AZ36 contributions
Dec 2013 • Business
I would like to mention the beauty of this old historic alley (Hutong) in the center of Beijing where my hotel was located. It's very authentic old Beijing , and they just recently opened the Hutong Museum there , which is absolutely fascinating. This alley is also famous for its little bistros specializing in donkey meat (!), I took the courage and tried the donkey meat sandwich, it was delicious !
The alley is called Shijia Hutong , and it's one block from the Dengshikou metro station , Dongsi street and Jinbao street. Its really worth visiting !
The alley is called Shijia Hutong , and it's one block from the Dengshikou metro station , Dongsi street and Jinbao street. Its really worth visiting !
Written 8 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RedWallGarden
Beijing2 contributions
Jan 2014 • Solo
This low-rise hutong is ideally located, close to Wangfujing and Jinbao shopping streets. It has a lot of character and houses the newly opened Hutong Museum that is worth the trip alone. You can have a look at what a traditional Beijing courtyard looked like.
Tip: Taxi drivers usually do not recognize this hutong's name, so just ask them to drop you off at Dengshikou subway station. There is a cute little courtyard hotel right across from the museum (Red Wall Garden) where you can stop for some delicious Chinese food or a cup of tea/coffee.
Tip: Taxi drivers usually do not recognize this hutong's name, so just ask them to drop you off at Dengshikou subway station. There is a cute little courtyard hotel right across from the museum (Red Wall Garden) where you can stop for some delicious Chinese food or a cup of tea/coffee.
Written 8 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Selsy
New Zealand9,540 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
Shijia Hutong is close to Dengshikou station, and handy to Wangfujing. If you're staying in this area, it's worth visiting. It's a pretty tree-lined street, with a small museum in one of the old courtyard houses and a couple of gift shops that have quality merchandise.
It is much less commercial and busy than some of the other hutongs around the city. Reading some of the other reviews, I think they are referring to hutongs elsewhere, particularly around the drum and bell tower. There are no bars in this quiet street, just a couple of restaurants, and I didn't see any rickshaw drivers.
Shijia hutong was a very pleasant stroll from Dengshikou station on the way back to my hotel, and it gave a glimpse into everyday life. If you're not staying in this area, perhaps check with your hotel to see if there's a similar hutong nearby. There are hutongs right throughout the central Beijing area.
It is much less commercial and busy than some of the other hutongs around the city. Reading some of the other reviews, I think they are referring to hutongs elsewhere, particularly around the drum and bell tower. There are no bars in this quiet street, just a couple of restaurants, and I didn't see any rickshaw drivers.
Shijia hutong was a very pleasant stroll from Dengshikou station on the way back to my hotel, and it gave a glimpse into everyday life. If you're not staying in this area, perhaps check with your hotel to see if there's a similar hutong nearby. There are hutongs right throughout the central Beijing area.
Written 22 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denstrip
Brisbane, Australia368 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
We were with a guide and walked around this area along the narrow streets and lane ways. It was lovely just to wander and take in the history. The tiny houses were fascinating with their old doors and roofs. It was a shame that our guide found it necessary to hurry us along as I am sure we could have spent a few hours there and had something to eat.
Written 1 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nellielim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4,011 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
We walked along the many narrow streets of the hutongs, peered into tiny houses and marveled at the old doors and roofs and new aluminium windows. Some houses offer lunches in their private homes. Most do not have toilets so they share a community style toilet. It is interesting to observe the way of life here.
Written 26 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kang_a_ji
Brantford, Canada147 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
This a chance for tourists to see the more traditional and historic side of Beijing. As it not meant to be a museum, of course modern cars, electrical wires, etc are in view. This is a place where real families live in structures that are much more in par with Chinese traditions than modern apartment buildings that you see all over the city. Experiencing the area by rickshaw makes it more fun, but I really had to feel for the poor gentleman who laboured over pulling us around. Electric rickshaws are an option too. Of course there are shape trying to sell goods to tourists there... that is typical of any attraction in Beijing. If you want genuine Chinese tradition, leaving Beijing and travelling to the countryside is what is needed. With a bit of imagination, the Hutong in the city will make you feel like you are surrounded by the past.
Written 9 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dxxxxxx
Surrey, England483 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
Around the Forbidden City there are several old town areas, to the north is Qinhai hutong and its well worth finding.
Step off the main road and suddenly you are in a different world of narrow winding streets and low rise houses clustered around courtyards. Kids play in the roads as rickshaws and bikes go around them and there are little stalls selling sweet yogurt ready to drink. Even at night and in the poor light we felt very safe, just getting a few strange ‘what’s a foreigner doing here’ looks from the kids. By the time you are a couple of streets in your can’t hear the traffic and it could be 100 years ago, if you take a little poetic licence and ignore the sporadic streetlights and occasional parked Toyota.
Then we came out by the Qinghai lake and suddenly it’s like Magaluf seafront = bars everywhere with open terraces, staff trying to call you in and singers vying to drown each other out.
On a cool October mid-week evening they were near empty, but apparently it’s heaving on warm weekends.
We visited first with a tour guide, hiring a rickshaw from the edge, (about 200m East of Behai North metro exit B then turn left/North, there were about 20 waiting). We zig-zagged though a few streets before visiting a courtyard house that now serves as a hostel. The visit was a bit ‘just sit and look’ as basically it’s just a few rooms around the courtyard, but fascinating none the less.
We then went down toward the lake and to the bridge across the lake to see the ‘life’ then looped back through the quiet streets. Many of the houses still do not have bathrooms, so there a public toilets/washhouses spread through the hutong.
Out tour was only ~ 1 hour, so a nice intro to the old town area.
We enjoyed it so much we were back 2 nights later to walk around then visit the bars and managed to find one with 2 very good singers. Bar prices will surprise you, high by Beijing standards.
On the south west side of the lake, Qinhai Xi Yan, there’s a cluster of restaurants and take-away kiosks, including whole squid kebab that were popular with the locals.
The walk along the lake at night is lovely, lots of people parading up and down and fairy lights everywhere. The noisy area is really only on a short strip so a walk gets you into quieter areas.
When you’re done it’s just a short walk onto the main roads to flag down a taxi.
Overall it's a real contrast to the rest of the city and well worth the visit, I’m sure many just pass by and miss it all.
Step off the main road and suddenly you are in a different world of narrow winding streets and low rise houses clustered around courtyards. Kids play in the roads as rickshaws and bikes go around them and there are little stalls selling sweet yogurt ready to drink. Even at night and in the poor light we felt very safe, just getting a few strange ‘what’s a foreigner doing here’ looks from the kids. By the time you are a couple of streets in your can’t hear the traffic and it could be 100 years ago, if you take a little poetic licence and ignore the sporadic streetlights and occasional parked Toyota.
Then we came out by the Qinghai lake and suddenly it’s like Magaluf seafront = bars everywhere with open terraces, staff trying to call you in and singers vying to drown each other out.
On a cool October mid-week evening they were near empty, but apparently it’s heaving on warm weekends.
We visited first with a tour guide, hiring a rickshaw from the edge, (about 200m East of Behai North metro exit B then turn left/North, there were about 20 waiting). We zig-zagged though a few streets before visiting a courtyard house that now serves as a hostel. The visit was a bit ‘just sit and look’ as basically it’s just a few rooms around the courtyard, but fascinating none the less.
We then went down toward the lake and to the bridge across the lake to see the ‘life’ then looped back through the quiet streets. Many of the houses still do not have bathrooms, so there a public toilets/washhouses spread through the hutong.
Out tour was only ~ 1 hour, so a nice intro to the old town area.
We enjoyed it so much we were back 2 nights later to walk around then visit the bars and managed to find one with 2 very good singers. Bar prices will surprise you, high by Beijing standards.
On the south west side of the lake, Qinhai Xi Yan, there’s a cluster of restaurants and take-away kiosks, including whole squid kebab that were popular with the locals.
The walk along the lake at night is lovely, lots of people parading up and down and fairy lights everywhere. The noisy area is really only on a short strip so a walk gets you into quieter areas.
When you’re done it’s just a short walk onto the main roads to flag down a taxi.
Overall it's a real contrast to the rest of the city and well worth the visit, I’m sure many just pass by and miss it all.
Written 14 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alpineheath12
Bangkok, Thailand55 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
A wonderful old hutong with loads of traditional elements and Chinese character. It also has a very informative Hutong Museum and The Red Wall Garden Hotel is a great place to have a meal in their open air Courtyard Bistro.
Written 13 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Esther,
Im planning a trip to Beijing and am looking at going to the Huyong area for a few hours. I read your review, is pedi-bikes a bike hire place where you go off on your own, or did you go on a guided tour with them. We are planning to have a tour guide for other parts of our trip but wondered if we could do this on our own? Thank you
Written 6 July 2016
Hey,
Sorry for the late reply..
We were travelling there by foot in the morning and evening another time so can;t advise you about bikes but It's not complicated at all you can do it n your own!
Written 10 July 2016
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