Huton Experience

My husband and I will be in Beijing at the end of March. We were told we should definitely try a huton experience. Does anyone know how we can set something up for that? We will be staying at the Peninsula. Thank you.

Huton Experience

Here鈥檚 a free-loading add-on question to the previous one.

We too are very interested in visiting one of these traditional neighborhoods, and perhaps even staying in one. We would be coming during torrid season (late June or July) and would be bringing our daughter (family of 3, one aged 13) who would probably really enjoy sleeping in a traditional covered Chinese bed.

Any suggestions on real nice places to stay in such a traditional neighbourhood 鈥?one that won鈥檛 break the bank (say $70-$150 US per night, more if really really nice), ideally not too far from the center (maybe near good restaurants, the subway鈥?, wiht good air conditionning and which might offer family rooms (big enough for 3 - minimum one larger bed and a single bed)? I know that several hotels in Beijing are small inns located in such neighborhoods, but advice on great ones to target would be really appreciated. Thanks.

Huton Experience

Check the B%26amp;B reviews for Mao Er hutong B%26amp;B, for a place to stay. I have reservations there at teh end of the month - I%26#39;ll write my own when we return!

There are other places to stay listed on this site as well.

www.bb-china.com/main.htm鈥?/a>

Have a look at the hotel in Beijing.

Hotel number 7 and 16 are in a hutong , they are close to each other , but different.

Cote cour is more modern, with nice contempry Chinese art and decoration.

Sihe is more traditional ( I did not like it much , as the damp completely overwhelm me. ).

If you wanted to do a hutong tour there are various tours that leave from Beihai Park. Lots of touts there will approach calling out Hutong Tour but it%26#39;s best to stick to a well known company such as Beijing Hutong Tour Co. They do tours in Pericabs thru the hutongs around the Drum tower %26amp; can make stops as places such as Prince Gongs or take you to a private residence to meet a family. They send an English speaking guide with you.

The Peninsula will be able to arrange this for you. Or if you didn%26#39;t want a tour there are lots of areas that you can walk around.

Hutong guesthouses: Hao Yuan Guesthouse is a traditional couryard hotel %26amp; has the covered beds www.haoyuanhotel.com but some this Hutong area close by has been torn down. Ask for the larger rooms at the back.

There is the small Lusongyuan Hotel which is in a good area down a little alleyway.

Bamboo Garden Hotel is near the Drum %26amp; Bell Towers. www.bbgh.com.cn They have a lovely courtyard area but it is more like a small hotel

Red House Hotel www.redhouse.com.cn is pretty popular as you can walk to the Sanlitun area.

If you do a search for Hutong Hotels you will probably come up with some more.

Two ways to visit Hutong area. First choice is hiring a private tour guide and then he /she will arrange the tour for you. Among the several areas of Hutong,the rear late area is the most popular one. You can also do it by yourself. There are over 30 Hutong tour companies in Beijing. You have to bargain with the rickshaw driver and then choose the places to visit. Most of the time 40 minutes is ok for this,20 minutes driving along the Hutong and then visit one of the local family,Yindian bridge,Smoking pipe street,Bell and Drum tower.