Discover China

Hutongs are Beijing’s ancient city alleys, and are a major tourist attraction. Surrounding the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City), many of the hutongs were built during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. You can learn more about Beijing’s hutongs in the CNTV Culture Express series Exploring Beijing hutongs and story 10 most attractive hutongs in Beijing.

Beijing’s Xianyukou Hutong, with a history of 570 years, has long been celebrated for its refined dining tradition. The CNTV Culture Express story Old hutong regains former glory reveals the traditional architecture and cornucopia of Beijing delicacies that visitors can experience in the newly reopened Xianyukou Hutong.

Tian’anmen Square and the Imperial Palace (also known as the Forbidden City) were the first of Beijing’s numerous significant attractions that I visited after arriving in China’s capital on 27 December.

Tian’anmen Square takes its name from the Tian’anmen gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace) to the Imperial Palace at the north of the square. Under clear blue skies I joined the many people who were in the square visiting the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, and then commenced an exploration of the Imperial Palace. I had seen photographs of the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City), but pictures can’t convey the extraordinary scale and grandeur of this vast complex.

We have since visited Beijing’s ancient Drum and Bell Towers and Prince Gong Mansion, toured historic Hutongs, and of course enjoyed Beijing’s outstanding food.