Call 01306 744 656 or
Call 01306 744 656 or
The hutongs are a cultural treasure of Beijing and exploring the ancient alleyways and lanes is like walking around a living museum….
The hutongs are a cultural treasure of Beijing and exploring the ancient alleyways and lanes is like walking around a living museum. Many built during the dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing, they give visitors the chance to discover more about the culture and traditions of the city.
We travel by rickshaw and on foot through the hutongs of Old Beijing and rather than simply observing life, we like to interact with the locals and get involved. As we go deeper into the hutong we’ll find children darting about on the streets, old men concentrating on games of Mahjong with their friends before finally meeting with a local family and stepping into their traditional hutong home.
I love the way we all learn so much from each other as we prepare and eat lunch together. How we have so many differences in our cultures but also how under the surface we share many similarities. Sadly, these areas are rapidly disappearing due to development so for me, this is a real must-see in Beijing while it still exists.
After the tour, you’re welcome to continue exploring at your own leisure. As the sun goes down the streets come alive as the trendy bars and restaurants start to fill up. This is definitely one of my favourite ways to spend time in Beijing.
Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Suzanne, who's travelled extensively in China. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the guides who can take you to The Great Wall’s quietest spots, the villagers who can show you how to create your own lucky clay cat and the cooks who can rustle you up breakfast pancakes, Shanghai-style.
Freephone an expert 01306 744 656
