Bada Hutong - A Hidden Romantic City

A courtyard hotel in Bada Hutong (Photo/tuchong.com)

Located to the west of Guanyin Temple of Dashilar of Qianmenwai Street, Bada Hutong is the euphemism of the red-light district of ancient Beijing. Bada (eight ones) is an imaginary number, since at least 15 hutongs of the region have been the “red-light district” of ancient Beijing. The eight well-known hutongs are: Baishun Hutong, Yanzhi Hutong, Hanjiatan (now called Hanjia Hutong), Shanxi Alley, Shitou Hutong, Wangguangfuxie Street (now called Zongshuxie Street), Zhujia Hutong, Lishamao Hutong (now called Dali Hutong, Xiaoli Hutong).

Architectures of different sizes laid out unevenly in the Bada Hutong enjoy the harmony of Chinese and western styles with bricks, woods, courtyards, storied houses and commercial and residential buildings. In this place, public areas are integrated into private territories and wealthy households are intermingled with poor ones.

Yixiangyuan where the famous courtesan Sai Jinhua lived in the late Qing Dynasty is now known as Shannxi Lane Hotel; Yunjiban, where Xiaofengxian dwelled turns to be a warren; and the love nest of Xiaofengxian and Cai E, who established the local National Protection Army in 1915, is rebuilt as Changgong Hotel, located in No.11 Yingtao Xie Street.

Xicaoshijie Hutong - Peking Opera and Storytelling

Photo/Sipa

In the end of Qing Dynasty, so many opera troupes gathered in Zhushikou area that a street of costumes was gradually established. At the earliest stage, the street had been filled with stores exclusively dealing in costumes of Peking Opera and Anhui Opera, but then it grew up as the only street of costumes in Beijing with an increasing number of item and ethnic clothing shops.

Xicaoshijie Hutong, situated in the southeast of Zhushikou, was endowed with fame for its costume shops. Historic reasons have contributed to its high reputation. However, gone are  the days when it was bustling and densely populated, due to the relocation of municipal offices. Although some famous time-honored stores like Jiuchun Costume and Liu's Dramatic Helmet have moved to Tianqiao Bridge, new comers can still feel the lingering aura of drama while regular visitors can recall its heyday as if Beijing Play Equipment Factory and some costume stores were still there.

Address: south of 40 meters to the east of 30 meters to the south of the intersection of Qianmen Street and Zhushikou Street

Important Sights: Beijing Yiyuan Drama, Beijing Sanyou Costume Store