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Constricted streets or lanes are commonly known as Hutongs in China. Conventional patio mansions form lines of siheuyan which are lanes or hutongs in Beijing. Localities were shaped by unification of several hutongs which in turn were formed by linking several siheuyan. These neighborhoods are sometimes referred to as hutongs.

From the middle of the 20th century the hutongs decreased in numbers since they were being pulverized to give way to new road stead and constructions. But lately, some hutongs are been marked as protected areas so that they can be preserved as Chinese cultural history. The most preserved hutongs are the ones near the Bell Tower and Shichahai Lake. Some hutongs which are hundreds of years old have been attracting tourists for a long time.

The emperors of China during its dynastic periods had designed Beijing city. They had organized the housing areas based on social classes of the Zhou Dynasty. The Forbidden City was in the center and it was encircled by the Inner City and Outer City. People who had higher social status lived closer to the Forbidden City and the aristocrats lived to the east and west of the Forbidden City. Rich people had siheyuan which were quite big. They were beautifully decorated and had breathtaking painted roof beams and pillars. These residences had well planned landscapes. These hutongs were in an order with rooms which were spacious. Away from the palace, lived the common people, the laborers and the artisans. The siheyuan of these common people were not very big and simply designed and the hutongs formed were narrow.

Hutongs also used to form the lowest rank in the geographical division of a city in ancient China. In fact, hutongs are the cultural elements of Beijing city. Beijing has a long history which has housed six dynasties and each and every hutong in the city has a small but interesting story behind it. Some hutongs are linked to historic events as well. Actually, the hutongs are in contrast to the elite culture of Beijing. The Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven all reflect the rich life of the people of China, but the hutongs represent the grassroots culture of Beijing. Even now, the hutongs form the heart of old Beijing.

Ancient Beijing is very intriguing for travelers, because China has such a rich history. If you are visiting Beijing, remember to book your Beijing hotel in advance, especially during the peak tourist season. A luxury hotel in Beijing is also a good accommodation option for the travelers seeking a bit of pampering during their stay in Beijing.

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