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.