Houhai Hutong Tour: Rickshaw + Prince Gong & Soong Residences

Your private guide will pick you up from your downtown Beijing hotel, heading to Shichahai — a tranquil waterside area far from the crowds, offering an exclusive glimpse of old Beijing’s charm. We start at Lotus Market, a historic riverside precinct with a blend of traditional architecture and local vibes. Once a bustling marketplace centered on lotus-themed trade, it now retains its old-world elegance, where you can stroll along the waterfront and feel the leisure of Shichahai’s daily life.

En route, we’ll stop to admire the Bell and Drum Towers from the outside. As the iconic landmarks of Beijing’s Central Axis (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), they once governed the city’s daily rhythm with bell and drum sounds. Your guide will elaborate on their historical significance as the “timekeepers” of ancient Beijing and their irreplaceable position on the city’s central axis.

Next is Prince Gong’s Mansion, the largest and best-preserved Qing-dynasty noble residence, hailed as “a mansion that tells half of Qing’s history”. Explore its grand courtyards, the exquisitely carved “99-and-a-half” Back Cover Building, the luxuriant Cuijin Garden, and the Nanmu Hall (a forbidden luxury in ancient times). (Note: During peak seasons, the mansion draws massive local crowds, so tickets cannot be guaranteed.)

Then we visit Soong Ching-ling’s Former Residence, the former home of China’s revered state honorary president. This serene garden estate, once a royal garden of the Ming and Qing dynasties, houses a two-story building where Soong lived and worked for 18 years. You can see her original living quarters, personal belongings, and exhibits documenting her life and contributions to the country, surrounded by centuries-old trees and peaceful lakes.

We’ll pass by Yinding Bridge, a historic white marble bridge shaped like an inverted silver ingot. It was once one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Yanjing”, as Emperor Qianlong famously admired the sunset over the Western Hills from here, creating a poetic landscape painted by generations of literati.

Our next stop is Yandaixie Street, a 232-meter ancient alleyway named one of China’s top historical and cultural streets. Shaped like a tobacco pipe in layout, it was once a upscale commercial area for nobles and now features boutique shops selling traditional souvenirs, antiques, and local snacks — perfect for picking up unique mementos.

Before the rickshaw ride, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through thehutongs — the narrow alleyways that form the backbone of old Beijing’s urban layout. Hutongs, flanked by traditional courtyard houses (siheyuan), are more than just passageways; they are living museums of Beijing’s culture, where locals retain time-honored lifestyles. You’ll observe residents’ daily routines, from elders chatting under old trees to families gathering in courtyards, gaining deep insights into how Beijing people have lived here for centuries.

The tour then continues with a 20-minute rickshaw ride through these hidden lanes, gliding past siheyuan and ancient alleyways to experience traditional transport and soak up the authentic local vibe that has barely changed over time. The entire tour lasts 4-5 hours and ends with a drop-off at the tour’s final location.