Beijing Hutong Photo Walk

Sundays at 2pm

Duration 3 hours

$35 USD per person

Approx. 40 minutes walking

The Essentials:

Beijing’s centuries-old hutongs are still the heart of the city but are rapidly being modernized beyond recognition. Let us take you to explore the most beautiful corners of authentic hutong alleyways and courtyards. Up your Instagram game and discover a veritable feast for the eyes in hidden corners and rooftops, with a side of history and culture.

Stops

Dozens of photo stops while walking through authentic hutong alleyways, plus a hidden rooftop coffee house and a local shop for refreshments.

Group Size

Small groups of 2-6 people per tour.

Start & End Location

This tour starts at Nanluoguxiang Subway Station. An email will be sent with detailed meeting location details immediately after booking. The tour ends near Beixinqiao Subway Station.

Equipment Needed

No special equipment is needed for this tour. Most guests use their mobile phones to take pictures. Cameras of any kind are also welcome and your guide will help you take photos.

Book Now:

This tour is no longer offered, but we do have other tours in Beijing available.

About This Tour:

Some mazes are more beautiful to be in, rather than finding a way out. In 1213, Genghis Khan and his Mongolian army besieged Beijing and burned it to the ground. 50 years later, his grandson Kublai Khan ordered the construction of the capital of his new empire to be built in its place, centered around today’s Drum Tower.

Unlike other imperial Chinese cities that organize neighborhoods by social class, Kublai’s new city was to be organized around hutongs, the Mongolian word for water wells. Horses needed to be watered, after all.

When the Ming Dynasty rose to power, they built the Forbidden City and reestablished class organization. Far off in the oldest hutongs, though, residency didn’t change for the commoners, merchants, artisans, and laborers, so the word hutong stayed the same.

See life continue to thrive in those hutongs as they have for 8 centuries, and wander down the maze of alleyways you truly need to be lost to find. Unbeknownst to the Ming city planners, it’s still here where the riches of life in Beijing are, and always have been, just waiting around a corner (or three.)

What You'll Get:

Your local guide is also your personal photographer, who is experienced with the best angles, poses, and framing at each location.

Get 9 professionally edited pics of yourself after the tour to supplement your own snaps - most guests rack up about 50-100 photos on their own.

Your local guide knows the hutongs like the back of their hand so you don't need to worry about where to find those hidden spots (and photos) you can only dream of.

Get 1 signature coffee/drink at a hidden rooftop coffee house, plus a local soft drink along the way.

Photos You'll Take:

Featured In:

One of the Best Things to do in Xian

In addition to trying some of the best eats in the neighborhood, you'll also have the chance to learn about the history of this community and get to meet some of the people who make the best biang biang noodles (so named for the loud way they slam onto the table) and Eight Treasures congee, which was a staple of travelers along the Silk Road thanks to its easy-to-haul ingredients like nuts, spices and seeds.

#1 Food Experience in the World

TripAdvisor's Travelers Choice Awards ranked our Xian Evening Food Tour as the best food experience in the World!

Ranked by you!

Watch:

YouTube

Take a close look at our Xian Evening Food Tour and what you’ll experience in our own Lost Plate produced video.

YouTube

With over 1M views, this fun video by I Roam Alone gives you a unique overview of our Xian Evening Food Tour!

Customer Reviews:

 5/5

Taking Over Instagram

“What can I say? It was a fantastic day out with my friends and fiancé and we will have those pictures forever now. We were going to pay for a photographer before we left Beijing but the quality of the tour means we didn’t need to. The tour guide (Ruixi) was awesome! She spoke perfect English and had a great sense of humour. Spending 5 hours taking pictures of others must of been hard work but she has so much energy. All I can say is if you want to have an awesome experience of seeing the old and new of Beijing and cherish the memories for a lifetime, this is the tour for you.”

Joshua H

May 2020

 5/5

So Much Fun With Friends!

“What a fun afternoon!! I did this tour together with my husband and friends and we had an amazing time! I have been on multiple tours with Lost Plate and it’s always a great experience. Our guide was knowledgable and took us to places we hadn’t been yet (I’ve been in BJ for 7 years). Ruixi took the time to take wonderful photos and really knew how to get the best shots. Definitely recommend this tour if you want to see a combination of old and new Beijing!”

GoYvon

May 2020

COVID Travel & Safety in China:

China is Open for Tourism: Effective March 2023, Chinese embassies around the world began re-issuing tourist visas for entry into China. Existing, valid, and unexpired visas, regardless of issue date, are also valid – as is visa-free transit in select cities. There are no quarantine or vaccination requirements in China.
Flexible Cancellation Policy: We have always offered one of the most flexible cancellation policies in the industry and that hasn’t changed. You are able to reschedule your tour or receive a 100% refund for all cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time. Your reservations with Lost Plate are worry-free.
Symptom-Free: We ask that any guide or guest showing symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, not join the tour out of respect for other guests and our vendors.
Masks: Masks are not required during the tour, but you will occasionally see locals wearing one in public. Free free to wear a mask if you prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to bring special photo equipment?

Nope! Most guests just bring their phones and are able to take great photos. If you have a favorite camera or device, you are more than welcome to bring those as well. A tripod is not necessary as the lighting is strong and your guide will be able to help you take photographs.

Will I need to walk very far?

This is a walking tour; let’s just get that out of the way. This tour covers about 1.5 km/ 1 miles by foot, so we recommend leaving the heels at home. Dress comfortably for the weather (and the photos) and get ready to explore Beijing’s hutongs!

What ages qualify for child pricing?

Since capacity is limited, adults and children pay the same price for this tour. Children 3 and under are free.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Nanluoguxiang Subway Station. You’ll get the exact address, directions, and transportation details immediately after booking.

The tour ends near Beixinqiao Subway Station. Your guide will point you in the right direction for wherever you need to go next!

How many people will be on my tour?

Our minimum is 2 and maximum is 6. There’s no flag to follow, or megaphone, or tacky uniforms. This is a small, intimate group where you’ll get plenty of face time in front of the camera and with your local guide.

How long does this tour last?

This tour lasts about 3 hours, but this can depend on the size of the group.

What happens if it rains or the weather is hot or cold?

All of our tours are rain-or-shine, so we suggest you dress for the weather. In rare cases of extreme weather, your guide will cancel the tour and provide a full refund. During times of extreme air pollution (AQI over 400) our tours will run but refunds will be provided if you are unable to join due to health concerns.

Do you offer private tours for special groups/events?

Yes we do! If you would like to book a special tour for your organization, group or a special occasion, just contact us and we’ll take care of you.

Should I sign up for multiple Lost Plate Tours? Are they all different?

We have many happy customers who do more than one of our tours in Beijing and across China! We have designed our tours to focus only on destinations and food from each city. This means that each tour, story, and vibe is unique to each tour and there aren’t any repeats.

We encourage you to pick the tours that best fit your itinerary and we offer a 10% discount if booking more than one tour.

Do you offer discounts?

We sure do! If you decide to do more than one tour with us we are happy to offer you a 10% discount off your total amount. It doesn’t matter if the tour is in the same city or a different city, we want to keep feeding you as long as you let us. Our online booking system will automatically deduct the discount from your total if booking online at the same time. If you decide to add more tours later, your original confirmation email will include a promo code to use on those bookings.

What is your cancellation policy?

Bookings cancelled 2 days (48 hours) or more before your tour are fully refundable (100% refund). Bookings cancelled within 48 hours notice are not refundable. Cancellations must be communicated by email to info@lostplate.com or by phone. If you would like to reschedule your tour with less than 48 hours notice, we will need to charge 50% of your total since we are unable to fill your spots at short notice.

Ask us anything,
we love a good question.

Beijing Hutong Photo Walk

 5/5

$35 USD/person

Beijing Hutong Photo Walk