Old Beijing Soul Hutong Dumplings Calligraphy and Cricket Culture

Duration5h

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesChinese, English

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Beijing: Ancient Towers & Cricket King

Step 700 years back into the soul of Old Beijing.

Historic Echoes: Start at the Bell & Drum Towers. See massive drums and climb up for panoramic views of the grey-tiled Hutong rooftops.

Courtyard Life: Enter a private home to practice calligraphy and make dumplings. Enjoy a traditional Beijing soul food light lunch served in a quiet, local courtyard.

The Cricket King: Meet a renowned Cricket Master in person. Discover this unique Lao Beijing tradition and the legends of these tiny "warriors."

Rickshaw Journey: In Shichahai, board a rickshaw through winding alleys. See the real, unfiltered daily life of families living in historic courtyards.

Finale: We end at Yandaixiejie, an 800-year-old street famous for artisan shops and street food. Great for gifts!

Arrival: Set DiDi to YaoJi ChaoGan Gulou (姚记炒肝鼓楼店). Face the shop, take the alley to your left, walk 1 min to the Drum Tower (鼓楼) gate.

What's included

30mins Ride of Rickshaw at ShiChaHai
Cricket King's Master Experience's Entrance Fee
Dumpling Making Workshop materials
Drum and Bell Tower Entrance tickets
Professional English Tour Guide
Lunch (Beijing Soul Food Style Lunch with the Dumplings you make during your workshop)
Chinese Calligraphy Workshop kit

Transportations are not included as this is a walking tour.
Everything thats not mentioned in the included section of this itinerary.

What to expect

Bell and Drum Towers
1h · Admission ticket included

Step out of the modern rush and into ancient history. Our tour starts at the foot of the Bell and Drum Towers, the legendary timekeepers of old Beijing. Here, the air feels different. We’ll explore the massive timber beams and stone foundations that once synchronized the lives of millions, feeling the weight of seven centuries of history as we look out over the timeless horizon of the Hutong neighborhoods.
Bell and Drum Towers
3h · Admission ticket included

After our tower visit, we’ll walk over to a nearby courtyard to slow down and live like a local. You'll try your hand at Chinese calligraphy and learn to make your own dumplings from scratch! Your host will then prepare a traditional Beijing style lunch for you to enjoy together.

The highlight of the afternoon is a visit to a second courtyard, where we’ll meet a legendary Cricket King. Cricket fighting and appreciation is a deeply rooted Old Beijing tradition (Lao Beijing), and you’ll get a first hand look at this unique world through the eyes of a true master.
Shichahai Scenic Resort
40m · Admission ticket included

After our deep dive into the world of the Cricket King, we’ll make our way to Shichahai (什刹海) the historic "Three Lakes" area that has served as a playground for princes and poets for centuries.

To truly experience the city as the nobility once did, we will board a traditional rickshaw. This is the ultimate "dynastic" way to travel, whisking you through a maze of ancient alleys where history and modern life collide. You’ll see that these aren't just museum pieces real Beijingers still live, cook, and socialize in these courtyards today. It’s a rare, unfiltered look at the "real" Beijing that many travelers miss.
20m

We will conclude our journey at Yandaixiejie (烟袋斜街), or "Tobacco Pipe Skewed Street." This 800 year old alley is one of Beijing’s oldest thoroughfares; its unique diagonal shape was originally designed to connect the Drum Tower to the bustling docks of Shichahai. During the Qing Dynasty, it became famous for its many shops selling long stemmed tobacco pipes, giving the street its iconic name.

Today, the street has transformed into a vibrant hub filled with artisan shops, traditional crafts, and mouth watering local street food. It is the perfect place to pick up authentic souvenirs or grab a snack. From here, you are free to continue exploring the hidden gems of the neighborhood or soak in the energy of Beijing’s nightlife on your own!

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Getting here is easy! Just type YaoJi ChaoGan Gulou (姚记炒肝鼓楼店) into your DiDi app. When you hop out, look at the restaurant and head into the alley on your left. It’s just a one minute walk to the Drum Tower (鼓楼) entrance gate. Look for the ticket shop，we’ll pick you up right there!

End point

Our tour ends at Yandaixiejie (烟袋斜街). From there, you’re free to explore the vibrant Hutong atmosphere, enjoy local snacks, and shop for unique gifts and traditional Chinese souvenirs.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.