Explore Ancient Chinese Architecture & Meet its People

I have been living in China for a year and the Hutongs have always fascinated me. I have seen a couple of movies about the life in Hutongs, 剃头匠 or the Old Barber being the most memorable. When I got an opportunity to experience life in the Hutongs through Beijing Way’s “Explore Ancient Chinese Architecture & Meet its People”, I jumped right in. I learnt that Yuhua has undertaken many years of painstaking research to put this experience together. This reflects in the kind pearls of wisdom one can takeaway from this experience. I was introduced to the nuances of architecture in the Hutongs by visiting a courtyard house (四合院). From every pillar to every stone, Yuhua explained to me the architectural and cultural significance of each part of the house. Yuhua wouldn't stop just there. Through miniature wooden models (which I got to play with), she explained to me the intricacies of the architecture of even bigger buildings. Among the various facets, the ceiling murals in the houses of old Beijing (老北京) were quite a discovery for me. It is the resident that gives an architecture its soul. I got a deep insight into the life and experiences of the people who live in the Hutongs, stories of their struggles and successes. Freewheeling conversations and warm hospitality marked these interactions. At the end of the day, I can confidently say that after this immersion in the Hutongs, I have been able to understand Being a little better, China a little better and the story of the Chinese people a little better. Anyone who is remotely interested in Beijing and its Hutongs, must definitely go for this. It will be an experience you will cherish for a lifetime.

First and foremost, my utmost apologies to Yuhua for this very long delayed review. To sum it all, Yuhua's tour has been one of best travel experiences that I have ever joined, and i have been to Beijing many times and have joined countless tours in the past. Yuhua is very passionate about old Beijing architecture and she has generously shared with us her in-depth knowledge on old Beijing hutongs. I felt so privileged to be invited to the homes of the real people who are staying in all these amazing Prince mansion, princely mansion (lower ranking prince), old courtyard house and their efforts in upholding this slice of Chinese architectural heritage. Mr Zhu, a direct descendant of Mr Zhu Qi Jian, a pioneering contributor and benefactor in defining centuries-old Chinese building practice and architectural system in the context of modernized, westernized China. His great-grand son still stays in this lovingly preserved "四合院Siheyuan" or courtyard house in one of the old Beijing Hutongs. We saw all the amazing old photos of his forebears, including his famously beautiful socialite-aunts, his dapper father and mother in their pre-war wedding finery, former Chinese premier Zhou En Lai etc. Yuhua also took us to one of the best preserved Prince mansions of the first ranking order, the great mansion of the grandson of Ching Dynasty Kangxi Emperior. The princely mansion was rewarded by Emperor Yongzheng to Kangxi Emperor's 13th prince, Prince Yi of the first ranking order after his passing to his nephew, for Prince Yi's brotherly support in Yongzheng's struggle to ascend to the throne and support during Yongzheng's reign. The intricate wood carvings on the high ceiling at the main entrance were truly breathtaking, definitely one of the best kept secrets in Beijing. The visit also took us to Mr Li's Mongolian Princely mansion of lower ranking order amazing abode where the kind and hospitable Mr & Mrs Li regaled us with their Beijing living experience and their efforts in preserving the amazing prince mansion building legacy . Lastly, we were so lucky to visit one the earliest Beijing buildings built based on western architectural discipline by Chinese modernist architect in the early 1900s. So if you are a architectural design fan, Yuhua's tour will be a good match for you. Not your typical "tour group" tour and I have truly enjoyed the tour.