The word "Hutong" originated from the Mongolian word "huto", which means water wells. Since nomadic tribes used to live and stay near water wells, they called the small alleys "huto".

Hutong had its first appearance in Beijing in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).The name was gradually adopted by all the residents of Beijing , and has been handed down to the present. The houses built on each side of Hutong are called Siheyuan (quadrangle), generally rectangular dwelling compounds, in which buildings on four sides. Almost every quadrangle is surrounded by high walls. In fact, Hutong is formed by quadrangles standing side by side along a straight passage.

The width of Hutong was clearly regulated in the Yuan Dynasty and measured by steps. A passage of six steps in width was called a hutong, running directly from east to west. A passage of 24 steps in width was then called a street, which ran from north to south. The whole city, therefore, looked like a chessboard.
With the passage of dynasties, this stipulation, however, did not seem to be so strictly followed in the Ming and Qing dynasty. The meaning of hutong, in a broad sense, included alleys, passages and even small streets. "There are 360 hutong with names and those without names are as many as hairs on an ox". This old saying is used to describe the numberless hutong in Beijing . The saying is somewhat exaggerated, but it reflects the fact that Beijing 's hutong are numerous and scattered everywhere. According to historical records, there were altogether 413 hutong and alleys in Beijing in the Yuan Dynasty. The number increased to 1,170 in the Ming, 2,077 in the Qing Dynasty and 6,104 in the mid-1980s.If all the hutong were arranged in a line, they would form a new "Great Wall"

We elaborately launched some classic Hutong tours, traditional Rickshaw will take you to view the featuring Beijing Hutong, and visit the local family, try to make dumpling with them that would be an enjoyable experience. Plus, take a boat ride on Shichahai, which surrounded by many bars and restaurants along the alleys, you can fully experience Beijing historical and contemporary visage.

BHH-01: Half-day Hutong Tour (Hutong alley-Silver-ingot bridge-Local family-Bell tower)

Duration : 2.5 hours.
Price: from US $ 39

BHH-02: Half-day Hutong Tour (Hutong alley-Silver-ingot bridge-Local family-Bell tower-Prince Gong's Garden

Duration : 3.5 hours.
Price ： from US $ 46

BHH-03: One day Hutong Tour (Hutong alley-Silver-ingot bridge-Local family-Bell tower-Drum tower- prince Gong's Garden-Kindergarten) 

Duration : 7 hours.
Price ： from US $ 60

Hutong tour with Boat ride on Shichahai Lake
Note: This tour is only available in spring, summer and early autumn.

BHH-04 Half-day Hutong Tour (Hutong alley-Silver-ingot bridge-boating in Shichahai Lake -Local family--Prince Gong's Garden-)

Highlights: boating in Shichahai Lake
Duration: 4hours
Price ： from US $ 36

BHH-05 Evening Hutong Tour （ Hutong alley-Silver ingot brige-local family –boating in the night time ）

Highlights: boating in Shichahai Lake in the night time
Duration: 4 hours
Price: from US $ 34

Kids Hutong tour is a little bit different from regular Hutong Tour .Because kids' curiosity and interest is even bigger that adult, we will arrange some amused tours, kids and their family can see some lovely animals in the zoo: monkey, elephant and PANDA...etc. Meantime, rickshaw will drive you and your kids to Hutong, and take her or him to a local kindergarten. Let you kid get to know something about local kid life it is. Don't hesitate; just join in our Kid Hutong tours; our services will get your kids' happy laughter.

BKH-01: Beijing zoo (Panda House)-Hutong-local family-local kindergarten

Highlights : Panda House; Hutong visiting.
Duration: 5 hours
Price: from US $ 45

BKH-02: 3 days Package Tour

Highlights: Panda House;The GreatWall
Duration: 3 days
Price: from US$ 135