CN-PEKBLT40 – BEIJING BACK STREET (Morning Tour only) – Private

Your day begins with a pickup by your local English-speaking tour guide and driver, who will take you deep into the soul of old Beijing: the legendary Hutongs.

These narrow alleyways originated during the Yuan Dynasty under Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. The word “hutong” comes from the Mongolian “hottog,” meaning “water well,” and these lanes once connected courtyards, temples, and homes of imperial Beijing. Today, they form a living labyrinth of bicycles, weathered doorways, and chatting neighbors—a hidden world rarely seen by tourists.

Begin your walk along Huguoshi Hutong, a 600-meter historic street dating back 800 years. Once home to the Huguo Temple and its grand religious festivals, it’s now famed as the best spot for Old Beijing snacks. Sample local specialties like aiwo wo (steamed glutinous rice cakes) or donkey burgers before heading into Mianhua Hutong.

Here, visit a bustling soybean stall where artisans transform humble beans into silky tofu and fresh soy milk—a daily ritual for generations of Beijingers.

Continue through the maze: pass vegetable vendors, tiny convenience shops crammed into alley corners, and even a curious cluster of medical supply stores near a hospital—selling everything from wheelchairs to artificial limbs.

Soon, you’ll reach the banks of a lively local lake, where fishermen cast their lines and swimmers glide through the water year-round. Walk through a government-subsidized outdoor exercise park, where elders practice tai chi and chat over badminton games. Join them for a refreshing cup of xuan nai—a tangy, traditional fermented milk drink beloved in northern China.

After your snack, visit the home of the “Cricket Master”—a local legend in Beijing’s centuries-old tradition of cricket fighting. Over a simple lunch in his courtyard, learn how this quirky pastime evolved into a serious sport, and how the Master “trains” his champion insects with almost martial discipline.

Finally, weave your way back through the alleyways to the iconic Beijing Drum Tower—a historic landmark that once marked time for the entire city.

After this immersive journey into Beijing’s hidden heartbeat, your driver will transfer you back to your hotel.