By MyLifeTipsHub
The melodious Beijing dialect, the unpalatable bean juice, the densely packed hutongs, and the tranquil quadrangle courtyards hidden within the hutong walls… These are probably my general impressions of Beijing.
My initial fondness for Beijing was, to some extent, influenced by the writer Lao She. Works like “Rickshaw Boy”, “Teahouse”, and “Four Generations Under One Roof” painted a picture of old Beijing’s customs and human sentiments for me. Although it’s incomparable to the present-day Beijing, it didn’t stop me from coming here to explore the traces of tradition colliding and fusing with modernity in Beijing.
I decided to go on a whim, and a plane ticket to Beijing, a three-hour journey, brought me to this land.
Before coming, I devised an itinerary based on online guides. The theme of my plan was “East of the Forbidden City”, with most of the places I wanted to visit located in Dongcheng District, east of the Forbidden City. For convenience, I also arranged my accommodation in Dongcheng District. After settling in, I embarked on a 4-day, 3-night journey.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival – Check-in at Peace Hotel – Forbidden City – Donghua Gate – Wangfujing
Day 2: Shijia Hutong – Guardian Art Center – 77 Cultural and Creative Park
Day 3: Bell and Drum Towers – Fangjia Hutong – Jiaolou Library
Day 4: Check-in at The Legendale Hotel – Hotel afternoon tea – Departure
“Beside each seat,如意 (auspicious objects) are always displayed,” this is a line from a poem written by Emperor Qianlong describing the Forbidden City. “Masters in Forbidden City” is a documentary I greatly enjoy, from which I learned a lot about the Forbidden City. Choosing the Forbidden City as the first stop on my Beijing trip is something I believe many people, like me, can’t wait to do, eager to catch a glimpse of this palace that has witnessed the rise and fall of Chinese history over centuries.
The Forbidden City is not unfamiliar to me; this is my second visit. Located in the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City, also known as “The Purple Forbidden City”, was the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. As far as the eye can see, the entire architectural complex of the Forbidden City is splendid, majestic, grand, and breathtaking.
A central axis runs through the entire Forbidden City, with the Three Halls, the Inner Three Palaces, and the Imperial Garden all located on this axis. This axis also aligns with Beijing’s central axis, stretching south to Yongding Gate and north to the Bell and Drum Towers, dividing Beijing into two symmetrical halves. The construction of the Forbidden City embodies the wisdom and hard work of laborers from centuries ago and is truly an unparalleled masterpiece.
It’s so vast that an afternoon isn’t enough to explore it fully. Following the footsteps of other tourists, I had a brief tour, but the awe it inspired in me was anything but shallow. Through the camera lens, every shot captures the weight of history, making it easy to take stunning photos.
There are far fewer visitors to the Forbidden City this year than in previous years, creating a rare sense of tranquility. Touring the Forbidden City allows for a better appreciation of every corner, strolling leisurely through the entire complex.
Exiting the Forbidden City through Donghua Gate, I rode a bike to Wangfujing. Every city has its unique commercial street: Chunxi Road in Chengdu, Jiefangbei in Chongqing, and in Beijing, it’s Wangfujing.
Wangfujing blends the old with the new, traditions with modernity. The ancient parts, with each passing year, show more signs of age, while the trendy elements, chasing the pace of the times, display even more charm. It boasts time-honored shops like “Ruifuxiang” alongside luxury brands.
Wangfujing Central, now a new landmark on Wangfujing Street, is located on the west side of the street and covers a large area. Many world-renowned brands have set up shop in Wangfujing Central, making it a gathering of luxury labels.
Many fashionable young people wander through it, and there are many brands inside that I’ve never seen before, reflecting the inclusivity and vitality of the capital.
After strolling around Wangfujing, the adjacent food street is a great place to fill up. Cuisines from all over the country converge here, and I was full after just a few snacks, wishing I had a bigger stomach.
I don’t like my travels to be too predictable and enjoy seeking out classic places to visit, the same goes for hotels. In Beijing, I chose the Novotel Peace Hotel, which is also a classic in the eyes of Beijing residents. It’s one of the eight hotels established after the founding of the People’s Republic of China and one of the first batch of hotels built after the founding of New China, witnessing many historic moments. Nowadays, the hotel’s west wing, built in the 1950s, has been renovated with the times, while the main building beside it not only retains the classic elements but also incorporates more foreign styles.
The hotel lobby is located in the newly built main building, featuring a classic European architectural style that’s perfect for photos. Behind the lobby is the Pinfang Buffet Restaurant, offering all-day Chinese and Western cuisine and buffets.
On the second floor are conference rooms, a gym, and a swimming pool – it’s good to exercise while traveling. The executive lounge is located on the hotel’s top floor, offering clear views of the Forbidden City, Wangfujing, and other areas.
The hotel rooms also follow the trend of the times and have undergone many innovations. I stayed in a family suite, consisting of a living room and a bedroom. The family suite couldn’t be complete without cozy cartoon elements, which I think kids would love. The living room is equipped with a children’s tent and slide, and the bed is decorated with cartoon plush toys. If a child stays in this room, they would be over the moon. The window overlooks Beijing’s Jingshan Park and the Forbidden City, while nearby are hutongs full of local life.
The Najia Garden Restaurant retains the rockery and pavilion of Yehe Nala Natong’s mansion garden. Stepping into the courtyard brings an immediate sense of tranquility. The cuisine is also very authentic, featuring various Beijing-style dishes and snacks. Not only do hotel guests love it, but even local Beijing residents enjoy hosting friends here.
Next to the hotel are authentic old hutongs, and just a short walk away is the famous Shijia Hutong. When in Beijing, don’t forget to visit the hutongs. I recommend starting early from the hotel, riding a bike towards the Forbidden City, passing by Beijing’s parks, and experiencing an authentic Beijing morning.
Hutong culture is unique to Beijing, distinct from Shanghai’s lanes and Suzhou’s streets. Some say the essence of Beijing’s hutong culture is “endurance,” conforming to the rules and accepting adversity. I don’t fully agree. To me, Beijing’s hutong culture embodies a sense of attachment to one’s homeland, neighborly harmony, and an unbreakable bond with the past.
Shijia Hutong is a well-preserved old Beijing hutong cultural district within the city. During the Qing Dynasty, it belonged to the White Banner, and Shijia Hutong Primary School was once the ancestral hall of Shi Kefa. Zhang Shizhao also once resided here. The dormitory of the Beijing People’s Art Theatre is located here as well. Shijia Hutong features the Haoyuan Garden with a plaque inscribed by Deng Yingchao, the Shijia Hutong Museum, the National Women’s Federation Senior Citizens’ Home, and China Women’s Publishing House, among others. These rich cultural heritages endow Shijia Hutong with fascinating scenery. I took photos of the hutong in the early morning light as a keepsake.
The Guardian Art Center, located at 1 Wangfujing Street in Beijing, impressed me with its appearance upon first sight. It’s a massive, silver-gray, irregular building. What a genius designer could create such a stunning architecture!
The architectural style is bold, striking a delicate balance between the old and the new. While integrating the new building into the fabric of Beijing’s ancient city, it harmoniously coordinates with the surrounding environment. The lower part of the building, resembling a rockery made of stacked stones, echoes the scale and feel of the adjacent traditional hutong quadrangle courtyards. The suspended glass square ring above the building embodies Beijing’s modernity as a global metropolis.
It’s a flexible and rich cultural space, combined with restaurants, hotels, and public transportation infrastructure. The first floor of the building features a 1,700-square-meter pillarless exhibition space with a strong postmodern style, perfect for taking high-end photos.
With the rise of innovation, more and more old factories are being transformed into cultural and creative parks. Whether it’s Songshan and Huashan Cultural and Creative Parks in Taiwan, Dongjiao Memory in Chengdu, or Beijing’s 77 Cultural and Creative Park, these renovations breathe new life and vitality into them
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