Meet With Culture | Hutong Culture of Beijing

Beijing is an ancient capital with a long history. Hutongs (alleys) are where Beijing people have lived for generations. History has left rich cultural heritage to this ancient capital of five dynasties. The city's cultural foundation is hidden in traditional buildings with red walls and black tiles as well as old alleys and streets. Yangmeizhu Xiejie, as one of the ten most beautiful alleys in Beijing, shows this historical charm and cultural atmosphere to the fullest. It is noted not only for the charm of Beijing's old hutongs and their residents, but also for creative shops and design institutions from all over the world. It is safe to say that the alley is a major calling card of Beijing's traditional culture.

Since 2013, the government of Xicheng District has begun to renovate Yangmeizhu Xiejie and introduce some cultural and creative institutions to improve the alley's tourist facilities and business environment. The biggest difference between Yangmeizhu Xiejie and other renovated hutongs is that most of the native residents here have chosen to stay and are happy to enjoy the results of the renovation.

The first batch of shops settled in Yangmeizhu Xiejie all chose to retain the original structure of their buildings. While respecting the integrity of the old buildings, they carried out creative renovations. Numerous creative stores have been opened here in just a few years. These shopkeepers hail from all over the world, highlighting the inclusiveness and hospitability of this old hutong in Beijing.

When you stroll down Yangmeizhu Xiejie today, you may pass by many narrow alleys. It is well connected to other lanes and streets nearby. In every alley here, you'll see clothes and quilts dried by local residents, vegetable markets packed with customers, and smoke curling from the kitchens of every household. 

Today, Yangmeizhu Xiejie is an old alley blending tradition and fashion. No matter which country you're from, you'll always find symbols of your own culture here. In my view, Yangmeizhu Xiejie retains the texture of old hutongs and the strong atmosphere of traditional lifestyles, making its an ideal destination for everyone to experience the cultural charm of Beijing's hutongs.

As night falls, tourists in the old hutong gradually disperse. After dinner, local residents take a walk leisurely in the alley. May memories of the past be preserved in the city, inspiring nostalgia of traditional lifestyles in such old hutongs. Perhaps such ecology fusing daily life, culture and commerce is the most representative symbol of Beijing's hutong culture.

(Executive Producer: Wang Xiaohui; Production Supervisor: Xue Lisheng; Line Producer: Yu Li; Chief Planner: Ding Suyun, Cao Chuanchuan; Planner: Li Ying; Translator: Liu Haile)