Mao'er Hutong

Mao'er Hutong is among the ten great hutongs in Beijing. It is in the northwest of Dongcheng District, stretching from South Gong and Drum Lane to the Di’anmen Wai Street. This alley is 1,919 feet (585 meters) in length and 23 feet (7 meters) wide, and  is famous for its old Beijing features and traditional local food. A lot of celebrities have lived here, such as Wan Rong, the last empress; Feng Guozhang, the Northern Warlord, and Hong Chengchou, a general in the Ming Dynasty (1368 –1644 AD), and many of their former residences are still remain.
 

Mao'er Hutong

If you want to taste the flavor of old Beijing, Mao'er Hutong would be a good choice. Going through hundreds of years, it still preserves the original style. The construction, people’s activities and food are just like the old days. There are numerous courtyards, shops and former residences on both sides of the road. They are all brickworks with red lanternsandcouplets. The plants in the alley have been there for a long time, and the branches stretch out giving people a placeto rest in shade. Life in the Hutong looks contented and simple. In summer time, seniors sit under the trees waving their fans chatting with each other; children play games at the gate; people gather around the chess board, outwitting each other and laughing. In this atmosphere, you will feel really relaxed. It is also a place to enjoy the traditional local cuisine. The pie with donkey meat (Lvrou Huoshao), sweetbread soup (Zasui Tang), and other Beijing snacks can be tasted. They all look very mouth-watering. The flavor is absolutely authentic, and the price is not expensive. It would be a feast for your eyes and stomach.