Traditions and Transitions: An Introduction to Beijing's Historic Hutongs
This walk is an introduction to Beijing’s hutong neighborhoods and is perfect for newcomers and visitors to Beijing looking to understand more about this important feature of the city’s landscape. It’s also an excellent precursor for some of our deeper dive hutong walks in other parts of the city.
One of Beijing’s most distinctive urban features, the hutongs have long been at the heart of the capital’s culture. This walk explores the past, present, and future of the hutongs, Beijing’s network of historic alleyways. Our exploration takes us through the hutongs of the Dongcheng District, once home to some of Beijing’s most fascinating figures. We will discuss the history of the hutongs, who lived there, and how these neighborhoods changed over time.
But this walk is more than just history. The hutongs are the living breathing fabric of Beijing. They represent Beijing’s future, as old spaces are repurposed into new commercial and residential developments. The past few years have seen sweeping changes to Beijing's urban landscape. The government boarded up small shops and forced some residents out of the city center. What does this mean for the preservation of these historic neighborhoods and the people who live there? How have the pressures of urban development affected the communities who live in Beijing's historic center? How is Beijing balancing historic preservation with the needs of a rapidly growing metropolitan region?
Duration: About two hours.
Upcoming Public Walking Tours in Beijing's Historic Hutongs
260 RMB per person (220 RMB for members of The Hutong)
Price includes all guide fees and tickets
Consider a Private Tour!
Looking for a walk that fits your schedule? Interested in a personal experience for you or your group? Private walks around Beijing's hutongs and historic neighborhoods are available for individuals, families, schools, and company groups. Walks are 1600 RMB for up to five people and 175 RMB for each additional person. The price includes all guide fees and admission tickets. The maximum group size is limited to 8 to minimize the impact on the neighborhoods we visit.
What others have said...
“We did a walking tour of the hutong, with the incredible Jeremiah as our guide, on our first morning in Beijing. Despite our late arrival (avoid taking taxis!), he graciously waited for us to begin. His knowledge of the history (ancient and modern) of the neighborhoods is expansive, his sense of humor is wonderful, and his love for the city is readily apparent. This is a great way to get to explore the hutong!”
Your Walk Leader
Jeremiah Jenne is a writer and historian based in Beijing since 2002. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, and taught Late Imperial and Modern Chinese History for over 15 years. His essays and articles on China have appeared in The Economist, South China Morning Post, The Journal of Asian Studies, Los Angeles Review of Books, and The World of Chinese. His writings can also be found in China in 2008: A Year of Great Significance, The Insider's Guide to Beijing, and the 2015 collection While We're Here: China Stories from a Writer's Colony. Jeremiah is frequently asked to speak and lead workshops on history, culture, and cultural adaptation for students, embassies, companies, and community groups. Along with David Moser, Jeremiah also hosts the podcast Barbarians at the Gate. You can follow him on Twitter @jeremiahjenne or online at jeremiahjenne.com.