Maoer Hutong

Maoer Hutong starts from Nanluoguxiang in the east and ends at Di'anmenwai Street in the west. Compared with Nanluoguxiang, this place is much quieter. There are many old buildings in the hutong, and the brick carvings above the gates of some courtyards are very exquisite. A characteristic of Beijing's hutongs is the doorposts of the quadrangle courtyards, which are generally carved with white marble. The square ones symbolize poetry and books, indicating that the owner of this courtyard is a scholar; the round ones symbolize war drums, generally speaking, the owners of this courtyard are more martial arts. No. 9 and No. 11 of Maoer Hutong are Keyuan, one of the most representative private gardens in Beijing. No. 35 and No. 37 are the former residences of the last empress Wanrong. Many celebrities have also lived in this hutong, such as Hong Chengchou, a general in the Ming Dynasty, and Feng Guozhang, a warlord in the Beiyang period.

Along the way, I saw various types of courtyard gates, and the different door pins seemed to contain a lot of details.

I stumbled into Maoer Hutong by accident. I read some reviews saying it has a strong cultural atmosphere and is still inhabited.

However, when I saw the hutongs where people actually lived, I felt that the cultural atmosphere was not that strong.

Because other people in the alleys have their own small restaurants and barber shops

There will also be residents coming in and out, with signs on the door saying "Private residence, do not enter"

But Maoer Hutong is clearly for tourists to see. There are one or two more commercial hotels and public toilets.

However, I did see a lot of activities for middle-aged and elderly people to cultivate their sentiments.

My favorite alley. Maoer Hutong doesn't have the commercial atmosphere of Nanluoguxiang and Yandaixie Street, but it is still popular, and there are historical celebrities. In the evening, rickshaws are everywhere, probably trying to earn the last bit of money to go home for dinner. According to the rickshaw drivers in the alley, Maoer Hutong is the filming location of many TV dramas, such as the "My Fair Princess" that a generation of people remember! The old house in the picture below is not allowed to be visited! Its former owner was Wen Yu's house when he was in college, but its other owner is more familiar to everyone: Feng Guozhang!

Maoer Hutong is also a famous hutong next to Nanluoguxiang. It is located between Gulou and Di'anmen in the old city of Beijing, in Jiaodaokou area of ​​Dongcheng District. It is connected to Nanluoguxiang in the east and Di'anmen Central Axis in the west. It is a very famous hutong among the 25 surviving hutong protection areas in Beijing. It is one of the top ten hutongs in Beijing today, ranking fourth.

The hutongs are mostly private residences, and I don't see any owners. There are no shops, just a few small vendors. It takes more than ten minutes to walk to the end. There are only aunties on the roadside setting up stalls to sell yogurt, handmade cigarettes, etc. The houses are quite new. I can't imagine that this is what the old hutongs looked like. I always feel that the houses should be a little older, and the gray tile buildings will be more attractive.

Even in the alleys, there are many public toilets and they are very clean. I don’t know if it’s because it’s a scenic spot, but the same is true on the streets.

Many rickshaw drivers actually have red velvet awnings now. They explain attentively while driving the rickshaws. They are very professional. You can enjoy the fun and hear the authentic greetings of old Beijingers. I met a particularly talkative old man. His introduction to a door attracted a large number of people. He was not as good at keeping people in suspense as a storyteller, but the introduction with Beijing flavor was also very interesting.

This alley is suitable for leisurely walking and taking photos. The sun is shining, accompanied by the singing of birds. Compared with the crowded Nanluoguxiang just now, it instantly feels a bit leisurely and dazed.

The old alley is especially crowded on Saturdays. Nanluoguxiang is at the end of it. We stayed in a hotel converted from an old courtyard house in the alley (actually it was more like a homestay, the old house of Rongfu, very distinctive, with tourists often stopping at the door). It was very comfortable. At night, I met four old uncles from Beijing when I came back from ghost. We drank wine, peeled peanuts, and talked a lot. I watched them for a long time. It was very interesting!

Located in a small alley in Nanluoguxiang, Wanrong's former residence is now closed to the public. From this alley, you can directly reach the Bell and Drum Tower and Shichahai.

The Old Beijing Hutong is located in the Nanluoguxiang area. Compared with the main streets, it is very quiet.

After leaving Yuer Hutong, continue walking north along Nanluoguxiang, and you will reach Maoer Hutong next. No. 9 and No. 11 Maoer Hutong is Keyuan, the residence and garden of Wen Yu, a university scholar in the Qing Dynasty, and one of the most representative private gardens in Beijing. It is also not open to the public, but I really want to see it!!!

To be honest, the hutongs don't have much special features, but there are many outstanding artists along the streets in the hutongs.

The hutongs still retain the flavor of old Beijing and exude the breath of history. Maoer Hutong, where Xiaoyanzi lived in "My Fair Princess", is one of them. If you walk straight through Maoer Hutong, you can reach Yandaixie Street, Houhai, and Shichahai. Unfortunately, I couldn't walk any further, so I returned the same way.

Courtyards No. 7 to No. 15 (odd numbers) in Maoer Hutong are the residence and garden of Wen Yu, a university scholar in the late Qing Dynasty. The five courtyards are connected in parallel, covering an area of ​​11,000 square meters. Although not very large, they are spacious and well-arranged, and are considered to be the most artistically valuable garden among private gardens in Beijing in the late Qing Dynasty. However, they are not open to the public.

Maoer Hutong is located southwest of Nanluo Ancient Alley. If the Forbidden City represents the imperial power, then the hutong is definitely a living museum showing the life of old Beijing. There are many historical buildings in the hutong, and the old Beijing cultural characteristics and life atmosphere are rich. Maoer Hutong is connected to Nanluo Ancient Alley in the east, so it is very convenient to visit Maoer Hutong from Nanluo.

Maoer Hutong is like a small street, but it is not a real Beijing hutong. The small paths on both sides of the road extend far inwards, which is a hutong.

The rising fame of Maoer Hutong today has a lot to do with the right time, right place and right people. The right time is that Empress Wanrong left a former residence here, the right place is that it is located between Shichahai and Nanluoguxiang, and the right people are that there are more tourists now. Maoer Hutong belongs to Jiaodaokou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing. It starts from Nanluoguxiang in the east and ends at Di'anmenwai Street in the west. It is connected to Doujiao Hutong in the north and Dongbuyaqiao Hutong in the south. Because there was a hat-making workshop in the Qing Dynasty, it is called Maoer Hutong. Compared with other famous hutongs, Maoer Hutong has the most protected courtyards, the highest level of construction, and the greatest historical value. Courtyards 7, 9, and 11 of Maoer Hutong were originally the residences of Wen Yu, a university scholar in the late Qing Dynasty, Courtyard 13 is the former residence of Feng Guozhang, Courtyards 35 and 37 were originally the maiden home of Empress Wanrong of the Qing Dynasty and the Cheng'en Mansion, commonly known as the Niangniang Mansion, and Courtyard 45 was originally the governor's office in the Qing Dynasty. All of the above attractions are worth visiting. At the beginning of Maoer Hutong, it intersects with the famous Nanluoguxiang. A little further away is the famous Juer Hutong, where the residence of Ronglu, the former military chief and university scholar, was located. At the end is the famous Yandai Hutong, so if you want to visit here and feel the atmosphere of the old Beijing city, Maoer Hutong is a good choice.

It has a very resounding name, but when I got there I found that it had been changed by countless shops. It was a bit regrettable.

Maoer Hutong is a very distinctive hutong located in the northwest of Dongcheng District, Beijing. It starts from Nanluoguxiang in the east and ends at Di'anmenwai Street in the west.

One of the main reasons I came to Beijing alone was that I liked Beijing's hutong culture. Maoer has a bit of the old Beijing hutong atmosphere. Many hutongs in Beijing are connected in a piece. It is really a wonderful experience to walk around and feel the atmosphere of life in the hutong.

I took a tricycle to tour the Hutong. It was not as bad as others said. I think it is pretty good. It is a good place for leisure after a long walk.

Then we saw the famous Maoer Hutong. When I think of Maoer Hutong, I don't know why I think of the movie My Memories of Old Beijing. But it doesn't really matter. Because Nanluoguxiang used to be home to many wealthy people.



* Encyclopedia: Nanluoguxiang is a hutong located in Jiaodaokou area on the east side of Beijing's central axis. It starts from Gulou East Street in the north and ends at Ping'an Street in the south. It is 8 meters wide and 787 meters long. It was built at the same time as Yuan Dadu. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Beijing, with a history of more than 740 years. It is also listed among the 25 planned old city protection areas. Because its terrain is high in the middle and low in the north and south, like a hunchback, it is named Luogouxiang. In the Qing Dynasty, the "Complete Map of the Capital" drawn in the 15th year of Emperor Qianlong (1750) was renamed Nanluoguxiang.

Maoer Hutong is a famous alley in Nanluoguxiang. It is said that there is a Keyuan Garden in it, but it has not been found.

There seems to be a mansion on this road, but it seems to have been turned into a work unit and people are not allowed to enter. As for food, I only know that Suzuki Canteen is in this alley. There is a courtyard next to it. There is a glass house built outside for drinking wine. It looks quite tasteful. There is a coffee shop in the back room and the courtyard. There is a Qinghai yogurt shop on the main road along this alley. You can buy yogurt and bunny popsicles, which are very cute.

Exit E of the subway station and you will find Nanluoguxiang Street. Walk 300 meters along Nanluoguxiang and you will reach Maoer Hutong. Walking around Maoer Hutong, you can feel the atmosphere of old Beijing life, except that there are more cars parked on the roadside now, as well as many electric bicycles, motorcycles, and tricycles. There are old houses left in the hutong, as well as renovated houses. The overall tone is Beijing gray, which looks so simple. There are many snacks, restaurants, grocery stores, and modern elements such as coffee shops in the hutong.

When you get close to Di'anmenwai Street, there are several restaurants, of which I remember two, one is Yilongzhai, a halal restaurant, and the other is Beimen Shabu-shabu.

The old Beijing courtyard is great! The service attitude is also super good!

If you come to Beijing and don’t visit the local characteristics - Hutong, it’s like you haven’t been there. Riding a bike through the Hutong and feeling the life of the old Beijingers is a good choice.

Maoer Hutong, which became popular due to the TV series "My Fair Princess", has almost become one of the must-photograph attractions when visiting Nanluoguxiang. In fact, it is just an ordinary old Beijing hutong. There are some shops at the beginning of the hutong, and inside is still the old Beijing residential area. Nanluoguxiang is bustling during holidays. If you want to truly experience it, it is recommended to avoid holidays.

Now you can get to Nanluoguxiang Station on Metro Line 6. You need to enter Nanluoguxiang first to get there. People who like hutong tours will definitely like the feeling here. Now it is quieter than Nanluoguxiang, and it is more comfortable to walk around. There are also some teahouses and cafes for chatting and relaxing~~~

From here, you will pass Keyuan, Feng Guozhang's old courtyard, and Wanrong's former residence. They are all very historic courtyards with stories. Going west, you will reach the waterside, which is beautifully built. Many people bring their children here to enjoy the cool and relax. After passing through here and crossing the road, you can reach Houhai, another lively world~~~

At the entrance of each alley there is a sign with a brief introduction to the alley. I didn't notice the sign at the entrance of the alley at first, and I didn't see it until I arrived at Maoer Hutong. The music played in the small shop selling Tibetan handicrafts in Maoer Hutong is very nice.

Pudao Thatched Cottage in Maoer Hutong. The door was closed when I went there. Later I checked online and found out that it is a book bar with a century-old jujube tree in the yard. If you have a chance, go and have a look and feel the atmosphere. It should be very petty bourgeoisie.

A clump of autumn grass on the outer wall of a courtyard in Maoer Hutong is a rare sight in modern metropolises. The grass in the bottle, in a display window not far from the opposite side of the courtyard wall, has become a work of art.

It was already dark when we got back to Houhai. We just happened to walk around Maoer Hutong. Unfortunately, my camera was not in use, so the photos I took when it was dark were not very good. Maoer Hutong was relatively quiet. Occasionally, you would see a few coffee shops, all of which had an ancient flavor, such as this "Temptation Coffee", which almost tempted me in.

Arriving at Maoer Hutong, you can feel the full atmosphere of old Beijing life. There are elderly men riding bicycles leisurely, people gathered in groups of two or three to watch unidentified objects, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and tricycles parked on the roadside, still green trees, slightly repaired gray brick houses, simple signs, and...

Maoer Hutong is connected to Nanluoguxiang in the east and Di'anmenwai Street in the west. Many celebrities have lived in this hutong, such as the last empress Wanrong, but now it is occupied by other people. Go west along Maoer Hutong and cross the road to Shichahai. Shichahai includes Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai. There are restaurants and bars on the roadside.

Another idea when I go to Beijing is to find a day to visit the hutongs. Walk in the hutongs of old Beijing and feel the flavor of old Beijing. Maoer Hutong does not have as much traffic as Nanluoguxiang. Walking in such a hutong, you can feel the feeling of life, which is great.

The alley is narrow, with two- or three-story old buildings on both sides. There are many time-honored Beijing snack shops along the way, which are the best choice for breakfast. The authentic Beijing-style shouts make those four-noodle buns, donkey meat fire cakes, and offal soup look tempting, and the prices are very affordable. The key is that the food is authentic. At night, the lights in the alley are not bright. Three or five barbecue restaurants on the street have set up stalls and lights. In the sizzling aroma, order a few grilled chicken wings, grilled steamed buns, and potato chips, accompanied by Beijing beer and time-honored Beibingyang soda, sit in the alley and listen to the locals chatting in authentic Beijing style. That is the best midnight snack.

If you come to Beijing, you have to visit Nanluoguxiang. If you come to Nanluoguxiang, you have to visit Maoer Hutong. Maoer Hutong is full of celebrities. It not only houses the former residence of the last empress Wanrong, but also the former residence of the Beiyang warlord Feng Guozhang. The ruins of Wenchang Palace of Zitong Temple are also here. Hong Chengchou also lived here. Maoer Hutong is in the middle of Nanluoguxiang, on the west side.

Beijing's hutongs are near Nanluogu. If you like Beijing's hutongs, you can walk around and stroll slowly. It's more interesting than shopping.

Maoer Hutong. Miss Z, who was traveling with me, said it was the place where Xiaoyanzi and her friends in the play "My Fair Princess" normally went out of the palace to play. I don't have a deep impression of it, but the word "hutong" alone has a fatal attraction for me. This is also one of the major significances of coming to Beijing.

Maoer Hutong is a quiet place amidst the hustle and bustle. It is very pleasant to walk through the streets and feel the quiet and peaceful Beijing Hutong.

There are too many people in Nanluo during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Maoer Hutong is quieter and suitable for a few people to take a walk and see the hutong.

In Nanluoguxiang~~I remember there was a classic in the alley~but it was closed that day~~It was very quiet~which was in sharp contrast to the noise of Nanluoguxiang

Walking through the alleys of Beijing, you will feel like you are traveling through time.

The ancient hutongs are the memories of the older generation of Beijingers

Maoer Hutong is one of the alleys in Nanluoguxiang, a Beijing hutong area. People still live here and the houses there are quite expensive.