Beijing Old Hutongs Tour by Rickshaw

Beijing, China

Take a historical tour of Beijing's narrow streets, known as hutongs, on a traditional rickshaw (a type of tricycle designed to carry passengers in addition to the driver). See the old Beijing that still exists for millions of people today, and visit the gardens at Prince Gong's Mansion, Beijing's largest and the best-preserved royal mansion of the Qing Dynasty. Then visit a local home to learn about Chinese life from a family. 

Your three-hour Beijing hutongs tour by rickshaw starts at the Drum and Bell Tower.

As you travel the streets of old Beijing on a traditional rickshaw with a local guide, you will visit the magnificent gardens at Prince Gong's Mansion, Beijing's largest and the best-preserved royal residence of the Qing Dynasty. Prince Gong's Mansion is famous as one of Beijing's most scenic retreat sites, lined with rockeries, plants, pools, pavilions and corridors. Step back in time to ancient China as you relax in the garden.

Continue on a rickshaw and explore the old streets of Beijing. Get a taste of life in ancient China as you learn the communities built around the hutongs (narrow streets). These winding alleyways are hidden between the city's main streets and form the residential neighborhoods that make up old Beijing.

Your tour concludes with a visit to a local Chinese family home, where you'll visit with the family. Meet with local people and chat with them to learn about their daily way of life. You'll have an authentic experience interacting with Chinese people.

Finish with a stop for refreshments at a local tea house. Sample different types of tea and discover each tea's distinctive taste.

USD $48.99

Review by: Alejandro C	January 2012
The tour was really nice. It was a little bit expensive taking into account services offered.

Review by: Thuy	October 2011
This tour claims to be a few hours long... but actually only lasted 15 minutes on the rickshaw... i was really disappointed!!!

Review by: Sam	September 2011
I enjoyed the Old Hutongs Rickshaw tour but only last probably no more than 30-40 minutes. I think something else needs to be incorporated with the rickshaw tour. I did not enjoy or cared for the porcelain tour/medicine centre tour.

Review by: Bruce D	November 2010
Great first day tour!

Review by: Margaret M	November 2010
This tour was not at all like the description. We started the tour at 9AM, and it was not even one hour, as I was back at my friend's condo at 10:20 (20 minutes for traffic both ways). The tour guide dropped me at one of the hutongs where the rickshaws took off. Before he handed me off to the rickshaw guide, he told me that I should tip both the rickshaw driver and the guide 20 yuan each at the end -- which, I found problematic for two reasons: 1) tipping is not customary in China at all and 2) even though I'm more than happy to tip guides (and have done so in the past regardless of custom) I don't like being told or pressured that I should do so. The one bright spot in the tour was the rickshaw ride and the hutong guide, but the ride around the hutong was the only part of the tour was like the description. Unfortunately, the ride and tour only lasted 25 minutes tops. At the end of the rickshaw ride, instead of going to Prince Gong's mansion, I was pointed to a porcelain factory in the same alley as the rickshaw drop off, where a docent showed how porcelain was made for 5 minutes and then led me to a gallery so I could purchase some souvenirs. It felt like the purpose of this tour was to get me to shell out additional $ when I'd already paid 50 USD for the tour itself! Overall, I think the description was misleading, and I didn't get what I paid for. I could've easily arranged a rickshaw ride on my own because that’s all I got. I recommend booking a different activity, as this wasn’t worth the money.

Review by: Michael R	October 2010
OK but too much set up for the tourist, didnt see the "real thing"

Review by: Diane L J	October 2010
It could not have been a better experience. We had Micheal as our guide, he was patient and kind and had a good sense of humor.They we always on time and thorough. In fact so much info we couldn't rememeber all of it. We felt comfortable and extremely satisfied with how we got exactly what we had signed up for. We would highly recomend Viator!!!

Review by: Robyn H	August 2010
The actual tour did not match the tour description.

Review by: Nerida C, Australia	April 2010
Great tour.

Review by: Pilar L, Spain	February 2010
It's okay, but not so many things to see, not so historical.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	November 2009
I think it would have been better if there were more people in my group. I was the only one so it was awkward when visiting someone's home. My guide introduced us and let me know that I can ask any questions. Not knowing the homeowner it was odd. No tea was served.

Review by: Patricia F, United States of America	October 2009
What fun! This is certainly a must do tour!

Review by: Hy L, Singapore	October 2008
Was supposed to visit Prince Gong's Mansion, but the tour guide didn't bring me there. Instead, I was brought to a tea house. Tour around Hutongs was a bit too short. May be better to do this as a walking tour, and include the services and facilities that residents provide and enjoy in the Hutongs.

Review by: Hui Yen L	October 2008
Was supposed to visit Prince Gong's Mansion, but the tour guide didn't bring me there. Instead, I was brought to a tea house. Tour around Hutongs was a bit too short. May be better to do this as a walking tour, and include the services and facilities that residents provide and enjoy in the Hutongs.

Review by: Robin M, Australia	August 2008
Can only be described as one of our all-time favourite travel memories. Particularly loved visit to private home, which was included in tour. Host fantastic; shared pot of tea, met her family. Thoroughly recommend.

Review by: Linda M	August 2008
Can only be described as one of our all-time favourite travel memories. Particularly loved visit to private home, which was included in tour. Host fantastic; shared pot of tea, met her family. Thoroughly recommend.