Foot Tour in Beijing Old City

　As the capital of China , Beijing is one of the world's truly imposing cities, with a very long history and large people. Covering 16,808 square kilometers in area, it is the political, cultural and economic center of the People's Republic of China . Rich in history, it has been China 's primary capital for more than seven centuries. And nowadays, Beijing is a well-modernized city. There are crossroads, underground, and sky-scrappers everywhere. It is quite common to find a temple surrounded by a circle of concrete buildings. Networks and other high-tech facilities have become universal while some old customs still have wide popularity. It tastes like a bottle of mixture including different elements of different times, original and attractive.

　The city of Beijing originally was protected by huge walls, and each Beijing home also had a wall built around it. In Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, the old Beijing was divided into two parts, the out city and the inner city. Each city has each own city wall, so including the imperial city, we have three cities. In the past time, you could call Beijing City as a walled city and the emperor who was living in the imperial could feel very safe by the wall protect. And walled houses were attached, forming a labyrinth old city with narrow paths connecting the maze. Anyone with a sense of adventure who wants to see a more traditional Beijing will need to explore the old city on foot, checking out the numerous gardens, courtyards, and alleys along the way. On foot, you could spend time wandering the Hutong area. What a marvelous photo opportunity this is! Small grocery stores, shops, and tiny eating areas all are wonderful sights. Watching women make dumplings, men grilling meats, and vendors selling their wares is simply fascinating. It is hard to imagine that modern Beijing is just a few blocks away. Therefore, t he many ancient palaces, walls as well as temples and pagodas are all like old men telling us the past glory and the suffering years in silence. And the modern buildings only could show us the development of our nowadays economy. Actually, the Chinese traditional culture is so well melted into the city that you can see and taste it at any detail of the constructions. Each of this may elicit an interesting story.

　Leave the coach, walking within the city by foot, you will be closed to the real Beijing and you could find more if you are careful and sensitive enough. And without any tire of your foot, you could obtain that Beijing is unique for its long history, abundant cultural deposition, and another important point—its spirit of tolerance and acceptance. We have several optional foot tours in the bellowing.

Foot Tour within Old Beijing Inner City

　Gathering at the C entrance of Yonghe Palace Subway Station, you could walk along the red wall of the palace. Two minutes later, along the two sides of the street, you could find a lot of small shops, one by one and all are selling souvenirs related with Buddhist.

　With the noise of all the shoppers, on your left side, you will reach the gate of Yonghe Palace . Yonghe Palace is also called Lama Temple , as it is a renowned lama temple of the Yellow Hat Sect of Lamaism. It features five large halls and five courtyards with beautifully decorative archways, upturned eaves and carved details. It houses a treasury of Buddhist art, including sculptured images of god, demon and Buddha, as well as Tibetan-style mural. After Emperor Yongzheng's death in 1735, his coffin was placed in the temple. Emperor Qianlong, his successor, upgraded Yonghe Palace to an imperial palace with its turquoise tiles replaced by yellow tiles (yellow was the imperial color in the Qing Dynasty). During the 9th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1744), it was converted into a lamasery and became a residence for large numbers of monks from Mongolia and Tibet . This is a kind of friendly policy that the Qing dynasty deals with the relation with Mongolia and Tibet . That is the reason why the Great Wall was not massive constructed during the Qing dynasty.

　Finishing the sightseeing of Lama Temple , you could walk across the street and enter a street with the Chinese style architect entrance. This is the famous Guozijian Street , or someone gives the name of Chengxian Street , as in the ancient time, who became to be scholar after the imperial examination, who would be Cheng Xian.

　Just a few meters walking, on your right side, you will find the Confucius Temple and the Imperial College . These two complexes are neighborhood. They were first build in the Yuan Dynasty, and followed the ancient architectural rules “temple on the left and school on the right,” which served respectively as the place to worship and enshrine Confucius by the emperors and the highest imperial college. The two building complexes were respectively constructed along its central axial line, in the traditional Chinese architectural format of symmetry, and formed a complete set of magnificent and grand ancient building complex. The Dacheng Hall, the main architecture of the Confucius Temple , is as magnificent and splendid as the Supreme Harmony Hall in the Forbidden City . The stone tablets bearing the names of 51,624 scholars from all over China who passed the triennial imperial examinations tell the history of China 's imperial examination system. The 13 sutra tablet forest, with 189 tablets inscribed with the Confucian classics, carries on the essence of the Chinese culture. The Biyong Hall inside the Imperial College has a unique style, and it was the place where Emperor Qianlong gave lectures to the scholars, and the halls and rooms still manifest the features and styles of the imperial college at that time. Strolling among the ancient pines and cypresses and hearing the ancient music, visitors could feel the history and rich culture, trace the moving stories about the scholars and have an experience of the ancient imperial architecture, and enjoy tranquility in the bustling metropolis.

　After your time on these two complexes, you still walk forward along this street and look at the good preserved building by the two sides. End of this street, you will make an across of the main street to Cheniandian lane. Some small shops along this street before you reach the Hebei Hotel, which is a small local hotel in Beijing .

　Still walk straight along this street, pass a local cancer hospital. After a few minutes, you should have left turn, enter into Beiluoguxiang lane. When you reach the second cross, turn to right side, there is a lane which called Huafeng lane.

　Along all these lanes, you could find all the courtyard buildings, in Chinese which is called by Siheyuan. Beijing 's traditional courtyards, Siheyuan, they still house many of the city's residents within the second ring road, which marks the limits of old Beijing . Siheyuan line the small lanes, or hutongs, that make up most of the central part of the city. The Siheyuan is a typical form of ancient Chinese architecture, especially in the north of China . They are designed to make it as comfortable as possible to live in a climate that is at times inhospitable. For instance, Siheyuan are enclosed and inward facing to protect them from the harsh winter winds and the dust storms of spring. Their design also reflects the traditions of China , following the rules of Fengshui and the patriarchal, Confucian tenants of order and heirarchy that were so important to society. Housing is now one of the most difficult problems facing Beijing , a city that is growing both spatially and in terms of population at a fast rate. As such, the Siheyuan now often houses several families and many yards have been taken up with additional rooms. This contributes to the "rabbit-warren" nature of the hutongs. The living conditions in many Siheyuan are now considered squalid, especially as very few have private toilets or washrooms. To solve the apparent problems of overcrowding, Siheyuan are being torn down and replaced by modern blocks of flats. There are, however, still some grand Siheyuan in Beijing that have been preserved in all their former glory.

　Going straightly, pass one cross, you will have the foot on Doufuchi lane. Along this lane, on the right, you will find a Chinese Medicine Hospital for the local people. After that, you might see a right door with a tourist sign, that was the former residential courtyard of our Chairman Mao when he was in Beijing for a teach life during his early experience. Before finding the way for turning to left side, you could an old temple gate on the right side but inside it is already occupied by a local market.

　Turn to left side after you pass this old temple gate, and go directly, you will find a small square and two towers. They are the Bell and Drum Tower . First in your eyes, it is the Bell Tower . The Bell Tower in the city also plays a very big role in landscape. The existing Bell Tower of Beijing in the northern part of the city was built in the 18th year (1420) of the reign of Ming Emperor Chengzu. The Bell Tower was built entirely with bricks and stones. Under it is a square, towering brick platform, encircled by stone balustrades. A single-storied bell drum, which is the largest ever in China , was erected on the platform. Then, behind it, it is the Drum Tower . The Drum Tower overlooks the busy Drum Tower Street , with a platform below and a two-storied, three-eave building on the upper level. The Drum Tower is horizontal and long in form, larger in size and elegant in style, presenting a sharp contrast to the Bell Tower which is small, vertical, plain and neat. In ancient times, according to the old rule, the local officials would open the city gate at the toll of the bell in the morning, and close it with the strike of the drum at dawn. Nowadays, only for the celebration of Chinese New Lunar Year, maybe you could hear the sound, otherwise, you could climb up for the view of old part of Beijing .

　Straight direction, going pass the two towers and further walking across the street, on the right side, you could find a small entrance with a Chinese architect gateway. This is the famous street which is called Yandaixiejie. In English, literary translation is "Tobacco Pipes Diagonal Street", which is 232 meters in length. It is said that at the end of the Qing Dynasty, with the increasing demand for tobacco pipes, more and more people living in the oblique street began to sell pipes. As a result, the street was also called Tobacco Pipe Oblique Street . Most of the tobacco pipe shops on this street have high steps. Outside the front door of most of the shops a wooden tobacco pipe was placed as indicator that pipes were sold there. The black stem of the pipe and its golden pipe bowl are vivid and exquisite. Here, you can find the authentic life of the hutong residents. Nowadays, adjoining the downtown area of the city and the Shishahai scenic area, it is a place where both locals and visitors gather and the ancient character of Beijing with its simple and refined architectural style is obvious on this street. An area of cultural atmosphere, the street has many antique shops, more than ten writing brush shops and picture-mounting shops such a Baowenzhai, Minwenzhai, and Taiguzhai, even also has restaurants, small hotels and bars.

　To left side, you could walk out the street, the Shishahai scenic area is showed up. Shishahai is majestic lake situated in downtown Beijing , surrounding places of historic interest and scenic beauty, and remnants of old-style Beijing residences, Hutong and Courtyard. Date back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368), it was the terminal point of the Great Canal , and all the lakes were man-made, for centuries wooden boats carrying produce from the south would make the journey up the Grand Canal and enter the city via these waterways, which was a main reason for its prosperity. In the period of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), when the channels ceased to be as smooth as they used to be, Shichahai changed from a bustling hub to a place of leisure where people could stroll around to admire the vast scenery or enjoy the cool shade under willows trees. For centuries it has provided local residents with a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the day. More recently, the lake has benefited from improvements to its environment which has worked to enhance its natural charms. Today, it is a true oasis amidst the sea of activity taking place in the surrounding metropolis and provides a tranquil escape to stressed workers seeking a sense of space and well-being.

　Standing beside the lake, before continue for the walk, it is the time for a break, lunch time. On your left side, there is a famous Chinese Restaurant, Kaorongji, which is a restaurant selling roast meat, which has a history of over 150 years and one of Beijing old brand. On your right side, there is a lot bar or small restaurant along the lake, you could choose one of them for the lunch. You could enjoy Chinese made western food and drink or Chinese food.

　After your lunch, you could make a fresh start for the next destination. Or if you really feel very tired, you could pay the additional money for the Rickshow tour. You could relax your foot but by the rickshow, and it would take you for one or two hours tour around the Shichahai area, could be very interesting.

　Otherwise, you could have two routines for your foot walking tour. Out of Kaorongji, or bar near by the Kaorongji, you could find out a small marble bridge, which is in the name by Silver Ingot Bridge . This artistically charming Silver Ingot Bridge spans a canal from Houhai Lake . Earlier an area of great commercial activity, today pleasure boats pass underneath. Clear weather offers superb views from here to the distant Fragrant Hills. Formerly a quiet location frequented by artists, It is like a hub of Sichahai area for weekend relaxation.

　One routine is you do not walk across the Silver Ingot Bridge and just walk along the right side bank of the lake. You will walk about 380 meters along north bank of the lake and will find a three story hotel on your right hand which is called Dahuawei hotel. Beside this hotel, there is narrow lane to right. Follow this lane, you could reach Ya'er Hutong. Within this network of alleys are authentic ethnic arts and crafts, ancient architecture, reminders of past political eras, friendly street side vendors, unusual cafés, and half-hidden bars. It all comes together in a concentrated blast of local color and energy quite unlike any urban setting in the Western world. However, t his narrow alley free from the bustle around the bridge offers a step back in time. Mostly lined with residential buildings, there are some fascinating structures including an elaborate two-storey white building which is featuring contrasting timber balconies.

　When you reach Ya'er Hutong, on the right side, it is the tranquil Guanghua Temple . Outside, and shielding it from external evil, is a screen wall. Protective figures also run along the edges of its tiles. Originally constructed with imperial support in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), it has since been rebuilt. Of immense importance to Buddhists it is not open to non-believers although a glance through its arched door gives hints of internal beauty and glimpses of its brown-robed monks. You might be allowed for going into the first courtyard of this temple.

　Out of the temple, turn to left side and follow the lane of Ya'er Hutong till the end. Then, you could turn to left side and come back to the tree-lined lakeside drive. Directly ahead is a recently finished landmark, the Wanghailou Pagoda  － stunning when illuminated at night. It is the high point from the two side of this lake area.

　Moving forward, you will find the local life is all around. Children walking to school crowd small kiosks selling drinks and noodles. People keep pigeons in rooftop lofts while older men chat beside their suspended bird cages. Opposite, a popular exercise area is great for people watching as is the tree-shaded spot just ahead where swimmers brave the waters throughout the year!

　Further more going, you could see the Palace of Prince Chun . It was once the residence of Mingzhu—a famous scholar and an important official of the court in the period of Emperor Kangxi Qing Dynasty. It faces south and covers an area about over 50 thousands square meters. The whole palace can be divided into three parts: the east part, the middle part and the west part. The east part is the residence area and also can be divided into three parts. Among them, the main buildings are in the middle part, include the Yinan palace and the God Palace where is for enshrining and worshipping the God, Buddha and ancestors. The main buildings in the east part are the memorial temple and some subordinate buildings. The west part is formed by two groups of courtyards and also the center for daily activities. Unfortunately, this part is not opened to public.

　The West Garden of the Palace of Prince Chun is the former residence of Song Qingling( 1893-1981), an outstanding female in Chinese history. She had lived here from 1963 to 1981. Nowadays, the garden is opened to tourist with a name of the “Former Residence of Song Qingling.”There are two old trees in the garden, and it was said that they were planted personally by the well-known poet of Qing Dynasty, Nalan Xingde. If you have time, you might pay a visit to it.

　Out of this Garden, we could walk to the end of lake and on the right side you could find the entrance into the main street for leaving Shichahai area. You will stand on the street of Deshengmenwai and one gateway tower is very obviously in front of you. This gateway tower is called Deshengmen, in Chinese Desheng means “ success, ” it was one of the nine old gate entrances for old inner Beijing city, was built since Ming Dynasty. It was so known as the "army gate," for only successful troops could return to the city through its doors. A subsequent Qing Dynasty tradition called for the army to leave the Inner City through Deshengmen when heading to an important battle, thus ensuring a decisive victory.

　After it, you could walk to right side of Deshengmen, there is a subway station which is called Jishuitan, that point will be end of foot tour in Beijing Old City .

　Otherwise, you could walk across the Silver Ingot Bridge . Right side and left side are the lane around the lake. In the middle, you could turn into the lane, will be the most famous Hutong which is Jinsitao, which actually includes 18 hutongs and keeps the original layout of Hutong Area, is one of the best places to view well-preserved Hutongs and courtyards. You could have the chance to pay a visit to one courtyard which is lived by the local residence and seat with them, or you might have a local lunch with them together.

　Out of Jinsitao area, you could walk along Nanguanfang Hutong to the southern end of Zhanzi Alley. After that, you will move forward along Qianhai West Street, turn to right, then going into Liuyin Street, you will be going to visit the Palace of Prince Gong, it was the private residence of He Shen, a favorite minister of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), was built in 1777. In 1851, the mansion was bestowed upon Prince Gong by Emperor Xianfeng (1851-1862), hence the name. Sole prince's mansion open to the public, it is the most well preserved mansion in Beijing . Two stone lions guard the main gate, and magnificent buildings stand to the fore of the mansion, with an elegant garden at the rear. The buildings at the forefront of the mansion are on three axes, and apart from a two-story building consisting of ninety-nine and half rooms, all are in traditional style. Between the buildings and the rear garden there stands a 165-meter-long two-story building. The garden in Prince Gong's Mansion is named Cuijin, meaning concentrated cream of the most beautiful flowers, and to this day it lives up to its name. The garden covers 28,000 square meters, and is surrounded by man-made hills on four sides. The main peak, constructed from Taihu rocks, is in the north. Also a theater inside the mansion, it is lofty and spacious, with subtle lighting, and on its walls Chinese wisteria and green leaves are painted, giving the audience the feeling they are sitting beneath trellises. The floor is paved in pseudo-gold brick, and the seats consist of old-fashioned wooden armchairs furnished with square tables. The performers and the audience are in close proximity, so there is no need for audio amplifying equipment.

　Out of Gong's Palace, you could go back till you find a small park area where some Taxi or car stay there. Turn to right , you could stand on the Dingfu Street , just a few steps, you could pay a visit to Furen University . It was a Catholic university set up in early twentieth century. The outward appearances are traditional Chinese styles. Behind the buildings was part of the garden of the mansion of Prince Tao , Qing Dynasty.

　Leave the Furen University , going back to the small parking area again, there are two lanes, you could the right lane which is called Longtoujing Street . End of this street, you will come to the main avenue and turn to right side. On the other side, that is Beihai Park . Walking along the avenue, you will pass one hospital and Sichahai Sport School . Finally, you will see the lake again, turn to right side, before you leave the Shichahai area for the end of foot tour, edging Qianhai Lake is the cobblestone promenade of Lotus Lane . Here you can get a Starbucks fix, or wine and dine at some of the area's most up-market restaurants, bars and nightclubs. In warmer months, these establishments set out alfresco seating, and the place is ideal for relaxing and people-watching of a very international sort. For those who enjoy life on the water, it's even possible to hire a boat and eat dinner afloat, propelled slowly across the lake by your very own Chinese oarsman. Maybe you like to stay here for having dinner or drinks till to later evening and take a taxi back to your hotel. That should be a good idea.

　Ha, Ha, what a wonderful day for you and what a long day for you. Hope that you could choose our foot tour, leading by our tour guide with old Beijing city story and explanation along all the way, and you could have very close touch with our Beijing local people and our local culture. Your interesting is our offer.

Tour Quotation:

  Remark: the price will be based on per person

Foot Tour within Old Beijing Out City

　We start our foot tour from C2 entrance of Hepingmen Subway Station. Out of the entrance, on the left side, you could see the Quanjude Peking Duck restaurant. The Hepingmen Quanjude Restaurant, the largest roast duck restaurant in Beijing if not in the world, opened for business in 1979. It has a floor space of 15,000 square meters divided into 41 dining halls, including one, which can serve 600 customers simultaneously. The dining halls reserved for overseas guests can accommodate a total of 2,000 diners, and include a hall where all-duck banquets in which all the dishes are made from parts of the duck can be served to 600 people. Filled to capacity, Quanjude Restaurant can serve as many as 5,000 meals a day. If you like to have this special dish, we could book it for you before the tour or after the tour.

　Leaving Duck Restaurant, we will go further along the side street just besides Duck Restaurant's building. You will pass the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University which is one of the famous high schools in Beijing . Still going further, you could see China Bookstore. China Bookstore is a well-known bookshop in Beijing with long history, specializing in traditional art books. It deals with seals cutting by famous experts, calligraphy and rubbings from stone inscriptions, new-edition old records and books, art catalogue, new-edition old records and traditional thread binding books, as well as paper-cuts exhibition. Then, you could find a street which is across the main avenue and along with Chinese Architecture buildings by two sides. It is called Liulichang Antique Street . Those who love antiques or arts and crafts will find it an ideal place to shop, and those who are not planning on spending money may also find it worth going to have a look at the street itself. Along the street, peddlers hawk snacks, groceries, toys and copper coins, all kind of small commodities. Merchants will race to their doors with a welcoming "hello, hello" for all their customers, but they all rack their brains to attract foreigners' attention. Some offer free seal-carving services and they even can find a perfect Chinese name for you if you like. Some shop owners invite folk artists to their shops such as an 80-year-old heir to the Qing Dynasty's royal embroidery tradition.

　You might stay here for a whole day, but we only choose the right side street for going to visit. Wondering along this street, you might find what you want, or you might like to just have a look. Any way, you will have the feeling about Chinese culture. To the end of the street, we will turn to left, and just a few steps, should turn to right side. Still turn to right, you could find the Yingtao Hutong, you will be following this lane for further going and along the lane are all the different kind of Siheyuan where are the living quarter of Beijing local people. If you come here in the morning before 12, on the right side, you could pass a gate. Walking inside or looking from outside, you will find a morning market. A very crowded market is for the local people who are living around here. Inside the market, there are filled with every kind of food, fish, meat, fruit, vegetable and etc., could be ready for Chinese cooking and present on Chinese meal table by the day. Every thing is very fresh, and all the local people come here for shopping by every day. You could be wondering what the real life of Beijing people is, by answering, it is.

　Out of morning market, just a few steps, a street in front of you, it is the Yingtaoxiejie Street . You will still turn to right side, then, you would find a workshop for repairing bicycle. Too many bicycles in Beijing , it is really need for local people. Opposite, there is a very narrow and small lane, maybe just could pass one bicycle. It is call Xiaobiandan Hutong which means the Hutong is look like a small shoulder pole. You could go through it and turn to right side, you will reach Tianshuxiejie Street .

　Walking along this street, you will find out a lot of fascinating thing, such as the real local people's home, small shop, small inn, local restaurant, public toilet, street merchant at corner or garbage collector, and so on. Within local people's living courtyard, most of them do not have any toilet. You must come out to the public toilet which is located within the Hutong, otherwise, you should use your personal pot. Sometimes, you will have chance to have a look at coal balls which is piled up at the courtyard or along the corridor. Even there are a lot of local people have been using gas but there still some are still using coal stove for the warm in the winter. That could be very interesting and you could not find it if you are not going for tour by foot.

　Further on, walking straightly, you will reach Dashilan West Street . Dashilan Street , the oldest commercial street in Beijing , is now more packed than ever. A prosperous business area since the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), Dashilan is as unique to Beijing as the way the name sounds. Dashilan is how the locals say "Dazhalan" in standard Mandarin, and means big fences. Its history can be traced back around 600 years ago when the Emperor ordered fences to be built to prevent thieves getting in the area. The fences remained for a long time, and thus came the name of the area. It has been the centre of old Beijing 's leading retail market for centuries, with the streets and hutongs around the area bustling with people and atmosphere. In the past, this district was cluttered with teahouses, theatres, acrobatic shows, brothels, opium dens, stalls and crowds from all walks of life. Today it has been cleaned up and is now a major shopping street. A new look replaces some of the chaos but the atmosphere of the district remains. Cinemas, video halls, karaoke bars and clubs vie with long-established traditional Chinese stores for space and attention in this intriguing little area of the capital. There are quite a number of these stores left, such as Qianxiangyi, the century-old silk store, the Zhang Yiyuan Teahouse, and the snack shop Baodu Feng (boiled stomachs of cattle or lambs, or baodu, made by the Feng family), to name but a few. All there things are located in Dashilan Street , when you walk across the main avenue from the end of Dashilan West Street . So long time of walking before looking at detail of Dashilan, just when you enter Dashilan Street , on the left side, you could find a cinema which is the first cinema in China . Walk in the cinema, not for film, you could have a cup of tea or coffee inside the resting hall of the cinema for a rest.

　After you are going around all the shops, you could find out a small street in middle, along two sides are small restaurants which is call the food street. Walking through the food street to the end, you will turn to left side, still are going straightly until to the main avenue, out of Hutong area, you could go to Tiananmen Square by right side. It will be the end of our foot tour. By the way, you have discovered more fascinating things in Beijing than the before.

Tour Quotation:

  Remark: the price will be based on per person

　All the quotation will be including:

　1. Private escorted tour

　2.  All the Entrance fees listed in the itinerary

　3.  Excellent local guide

　4.  All the quotation is by US Dollars which is based on the rate of Bank of China

　5.  Cancellation policy: Cancellation should be informed three days before departure otherwise should have 30% penalty of total price.

　6.  Payment policy: All the payment should be three days in advance before departure when you received the final confirmation and tickets

　7.  Payment method: cash, credit card and wire transfer

　  All the quotation will be NOT including:

　1.  International ticket

　2.  All the meals

　3.  Hotel

　4.  Personal Expenses.

　5.  Gratuities, Tips to guides or drivers

　Notes: All the quotation would be changed due to the unexpected reason.