Experiencing the life in the Hutongs

What I was truly missing in cities like Shanghai or Hong Kong are the traditional Chinese living areas like the Hutongs in Beijing. The Hutong areas are located in the center around the Forbidden City and were built during the Yuan (1206-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Even though the number fell dramatically due to city constructions and new high-rise buildings, there are over 1’000 Hutongs remaining in Beijing. The historical buildings attract many tourists, but I recommend to escape the famous lanes and explore the districts where people play Chinese chess outside and still live their daily lives.