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Houhai Hutong Tour: Rickshaw + Prince Gong & Soong Residences
Beijing, Northern China, China
$198
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
Overview
Embark on a leisurely, expert-guided private walk through Shichahai’s hidden lanes – a lesser-known gem away from crowds.
Explore iconic spots with distinct charm: Huoshen Temple (a tranquil ancient shrine), Lotus Lane (lined with quaint local shops), Prince Gong’s Mansion (a grand Qing-dynasty noble estate), Soong Ching-ling’s Former Residence (a serene tribute to the revered leader), Yinding Bridge (a scenic spot for lake views) and Yandaixie Street (a historic pedestrian lane with old-world flair).
Glide through hutongs by rickshaw to soak up authentic local life, as your guide shares fascinating tales that bring the area’s rich history and scenery to life.
Explore iconic spots with distinct charm: Huoshen Temple (a tranquil ancient shrine), Lotus Lane (lined with quaint local shops), Prince Gong’s Mansion (a grand Qing-dynasty noble estate), Soong Ching-ling’s Former Residence (a serene tribute to the revered leader), Yinding Bridge (a scenic spot for lake views) and Yandaixie Street (a historic pedestrian lane with old-world flair).
Glide through hutongs by rickshaw to soak up authentic local life, as your guide shares fascinating tales that bring the area’s rich history and scenery to life.
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Private Tour
Pickup included
Pickup included
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide
- Entrance fee to Prince Gong's Mansion and Songqingling Residence
- Rickshaw ride for 20 minutes
- One way transportation fee to Shichahai Lake
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup (hotels within the 3rd ring road of Beijing city)
- Transportation back to your hotel
- Hotel drop-off
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Your private guide will pick you up from your downtown Beijing hotel, heading to Shichahai — a tranquil waterside area far from the crowds, offering an exclusive glimpse of old Beijing’s charm. We start at Lotus Market, a historic riverside precinct with a blend of traditional architecture and local vibes. Once a bustling marketplace centered on lotus-themed trade, it now retains its old-world elegance, where you can stroll along the waterfront and feel the leisure of Shichahai’s daily life. (pass by)
- En route, we’ll stop to admire the Bell and Drum Towers from the outside. As the iconic landmarks of Beijing’s Central Axis (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), they once governed the city’s daily rhythm with bell and drum sounds. Your guide will elaborate on their historical significance as the “timekeepers” of ancient Beijing and their irreplaceable position on the city’s central axis. (pass by)
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Gong Wang FuNext is Prince Gong’s Mansion, the largest and best-preserved Qing-dynasty noble residence, hailed as “a mansion that tells half of Qing’s history”. Explore its grand courtyards, the exquisitely carved “99-and-a-half” Back Cover Building, the luxuriant Cuijin Garden, and the Nanmu Hall (a forbidden luxury in ancient times). (Note: During peak seasons, the mansion draws massive local crowds, so tickets cannot be guaranteed.)
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Peking Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling (Song Qingling Guju)Then we visit Soong Ching-ling’s Former Residence, the former home of China’s revered state honorary president. This serene garden estate, once a royal garden of the Ming and Qing dynasties, houses a two-story building where Soong lived and worked for 18 years. You can see her original living quarters, personal belongings, and exhibits documenting her life and contributions to the country, surrounded by centuries-old trees and peaceful lakes.
- We’ll pass by Yinding Bridge, a historic white marble bridge shaped like an inverted silver ingot. It was once one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Yanjing”, as Emperor Qianlong famously admired the sunset over the Western Hills from here, creating a poetic landscape painted by generations of literati. (pass by)
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Yandai Xie StreetOur next stop is Yandaixie Street, a 232-meter ancient alleyway named one of China’s top historical and cultural streets. Shaped like a tobacco pipe in layout, it was once a upscale commercial area for nobles and now features boutique shops selling traditional souvenirs, antiques, and local snacks — perfect for picking up unique mementos.
- Before the rickshaw ride, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through thehutongs — the narrow alleyways that form the backbone of old Beijing’s urban layout. Hutongs, flanked by traditional courtyard houses (siheyuan), are more than just passageways; they are living museums of Beijing’s culture, where locals retain time-honored lifestyles. You’ll observe residents’ daily routines, from elders chatting under old trees to families gathering in courtyards, gaining deep insights into how Beijing people have lived here for centuries. (pass by)
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Back Lakes (Hou Hai)The tour then continues with a 20-minute rickshaw ride through these hidden lanes, gliding past siheyuan and ancient alleyways to experience traditional transport and soak up the authentic local vibe that has barely changed over time. The entire tour lasts 4-5 hours and ends with a drop-off at the tour’s final location.
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You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
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We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
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Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!
Houhai Hutong Tour: Rickshaw + Prince Gong & Soong Residences
Beijing, Northern China, China
$198
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!