Hutong – Explore crisscrossing Alleys and feel the Pulse of old Beijing

From the royal palaces to the commoners' residences the ancient Chinese buildings used to follow a conspicuously common feature. They had their buildings encircling a common courtyard, which was called siheyuan layout, literally meaning four buildings surrounding a courtyard. If you go on a sightseeing tour in Beijing you are bound to come across this layout time and again during your trip.

Siheyuan style was widely popular in the olden days in Chinese residences, government offices, businesses, monasteries, temples and palaces. When two or more siheyuan styled building complexes are juxtaposed the space between them turns into alleys. In the past, Beijing itself is said to have nestled thousands of alleys like this crisscrossing like a giant maze. These alleys were known as hutongs.

The hutong has a rich past that dates back to the times when the amazing Forbidden City, one of the biggest attractions in Beijing, China was first planned out. Following the siheyuan style, the ancient city was built right around this grand palatial complex, which stood in the centre of the city. Some of the oldest hutongs in Beijing are said to be hailing from the Yuan Dynasty, which spanned from early 13th to mid 14th century.

Hutongs of the past separated social classes and ranks while dividing the whole city into Inner City and Outer City. The neighbourhoods were built in concentric circles where the most privileged dignitaries and nobles lived closest to the Forbidden City. The more you get closer to the Forbidden City the more you see tastefully designed buildings and gardens. The residences here are spacious and topped with ornate roofs. The hutongs here are arranged systematically.

Conversely as you explore farther from the Forbidden City you will enter the grass roots of ancient Beijing. Here you will find ordinary traditional houses belonging to the labourers, merchants, commoners and artisans, smaller in size and compact in space. Hutongs here are much narrow and modest as well.

Today hutongs in Beijing have dwindled greatly in numbers but the remaining ones are preserved as ideal spots for exploring the Old Beijing. Taking a tour along these centuries old hutongs is just as exciting as playing a role playing game with a historical setting. The only difference is at the hutongs you can see, hear and feel the old Beijing first hand, in its quintessence.

Explore the ancient alleys, the hutongs of Beijing while enjoying your oriental getaway at a comfortable five star hotel Beijing. Offering an array of sumptuous rooms and suites the prestigious Raffles Beijing Hotel, China is a great choice for the holiday seekers. This award winning Beijing hotel ideally sits in the heart of the business district, where you can reach the city's key transport means in just minutes.