The most popular and traditional sight of Beijing should be Beijing's Hutongs 胡同.

People in Beijing used to live in small and narrow streets called "Hutong". In one Hutong there were many

Siheyuans 四合院. In old times, one Siheyuan was a home of a whole family.

This is the traditional and simple design of a Siheyuan:

Because of their location within the city, many Hutongs were unfortunately reconstructed into wide,

busy streets. However, you will still be able to find some old Hutongs around Qianhai 前海 or also called

Shishahai 什刹海and Houhai 后海. (Which is north of Beihai 北海.)

Take a Rikshaw tour through the Hutongs for around 30 yuan and you will be provided with many

old stories about them from the Rikshaw driver. He will be able to tell you exactly which famous

person used to live where.

Another tip: Visit Gongwangfu 恭王府 the last and best preserved princely mansion which is located

exactly at Houhai. Built in 1776 by Heshen, one of the most corrupt and therefor richest minister,

you won't be able to imagine how well designed and richly decorated it is.

How to get to Qianhai and see some Hutongs?

Take bus line 13, 111, 107 or 108 to 北海北 Beihaibei Station.