4-Hour Beijing Hutong Night Tour with Local Dinner
Beijing’s hutongs—narrow alleyways lined with traditional courtyard houses (siheyuan)—transform into a magical world after dark. This 4.5-hour tour blends a stroll through illuminated hutongs, interactions with residents, and a hearty dinner of authentic Beijing cuisine.
Tour Route: Houhai Lake - Nanluoguxiang - Bell Tower - Drum Tower
Tour Duration: Maximum 4 hours, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Participants: Maximum 5 persons
Price Per Person in US Dollars
- 1. Book now and benefit from our free cancellation policy: receive a full refund if you cancel up to three days before the experience starts (local time).
- 2. You will receive your booking confirmation email within 24 hours of us receiving your payment.
Highlights
- Enjoy a delicious traditional meal at a cozy hutong restaurant.
- Explore the Nanluoguxiang alley filled with trendy shops and cafes.
- See the lit-up towers, famous for their history and beauty.
Tour Itinerary
Your guide will arrive at your hotel’s lobby (or the agreed-upon meeting point, e.g., hotel entrance) at 6 pm — the guide will typically carry a small sign (with your name or the tour logo) for easy identification.
Your guide will arrange a licensed local taxi (or take the subway) to take you to the restaurant, where you can enjoy authentic Beijing cuisine.
After dinner, head to Houhai Lake (a short 5–10 minute taxi/bike ride from central hutong areas) to ease into the night with calm waters and traditional architecture. This is Beijing’s most beloved “night lake” and a favorite among locals for evening walks.
From Houhai, take a 10-minute walk to Nanluoguxiang, a 700-year-old hutong which blends traditional siheyuan courtyards with modern boutiques and cafés. Unlike the chaotic daytime crowds, the area is vibrant yet relaxed at night.
A 15-minute walk north from Nanluoguxiang will take you to the 800-year-old Bell Tower, an imperial structure that once housed the “morning bell”, which was rung at dawn to wake the city. At night, it is illuminated with warm golden lights, which make its red-brick base and carved dragon eaves stand out against the dark sky.
The Drum Tower, the imperial counterpart of the Bell Tower, was once used to ring the 'evening drum' to signal the city’s curfew.
Tour ends around 9:40 pm, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel by subway or take a taxi, depending on your hotel’s location.
What's Included
- Dinner at a local restaurant
- Subway or taxi transfers
- Private English-speaking guide
- Service charge & taxes
Important Info
- Operates: Daily
- Departure point: hotel in Beijing
- Return details: returns to the original departure point
- Guide languages: English
- The price of this tour will rise during the China National Day holiday (September 30th to October 7th) and the Chinese New Year holiday.
Good to Know
- This is a private tour. The local private English-speaking guide will serve your group only.
- You will receive a confirmation letter within 24 hours of making your payment.
- Your guide will contact you in the evening (Your guide will call you at around 18:00. If you missed your guide’s phone call, he or she will send you a short message) before your tour and confirm the exact pick-up time according to your preference.
- Your guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby on the tour date at the appointed time.
- The meal (if included) is in a Chinese restaurant, and your guide will help you order the dishes according to your taste.
- There is absolutely no forced shopping.