4-Hour Private Old Beijing Walking Tour: Hutong, Drum Tower, and Lakes

Beijing, China

Explore Old Beijing by night on this 4-hour private walking tour that brings you from historic hutongs to buzzing bar streets. You'll walk on Nanluoguxiang and Yandai Xie Street, see the Drum Tower, Yinding Bridge, and Qianhai Lake, and finish at Lotus Lane, one of the city's busiest nightlife strips. Your guide will collect you from your hotel (and drop you back if required) but transportation is at your own expense.

Start this hutong walking tour at 5pm or a time of your choice. Your guide will collect you from your hotel and accompany you to Nanluoguxiang by taxi or public transport (at your expense), where the walking tour begins.

Known for its authentic Old Beijing atmosphere, Nanluoguxiang is still surrounded by centuries-old courtyard houses and dotted with pubs and restaurants that give a cosmopolitan feel.

You'll walk for around 15 minutes to reach the Drum Tower, the historic edifice that was for centuries the tallest building in Beijing. If you like, you can climb the tower to enjoy bird's-eye views across Beijing.

From here, walk to Yandai Xie Street, another famous hutong that's packed with arts and crafts stores. It's a great place to shop for typical Beijing souvenirs.

Stroll across historic Yinding Bridge, which links Qianhai Lake with Back Lakes (Houhai). Soak up the atmosphere as you promenade along the north bank of Qianhai Lake, still a popular place for locals to relax and unwind, before you reach the Shichahai bar area, which will be buzzing with nightlife.

Your guide will escort you to Lotus Lane, one of the city's most popular streets for bars, where your tour will finish at 9pm (or four hours after you began). Choose to stay and enjoy a drink or a meal – your guide can recommend options – or to head back to your hotel in company with your guide.