The Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street

Among the countless Beijing Hutongs, there are some historically famous ones worth your visit.

The skewed tobacco pouch street is one of the most famous hutongs in Beijing. It measures 254 yards long connecting Di'anmen Street at the east end and the junction of Xiaoshibei Hutong and Ya'er Hutong at the west end. Like a tobacco pouch, the street goes from north-east to south-west, which gives its name - the Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street.

Originally in Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), this street was called the Skewed Drum Tower Street. At that time, local residents were addicted smoking opium. The increasing demand of pipes encouraged the opening of many pipe shops on the street. The shops had similar symbols - a wooden smoke pipe with a black pipe stem and a golden pipe bowl. Customers are often impressed by the vivid symbols standing in front of these pipe shops. The street became famous for its pipe business, and people began to know it as "the Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street", which was passed down to today.

Today, many different kinds of bars, tea houses, coffee rooms and souvenir shops have mushroomed on the street. At night, the street is ablaze with lights, giving a homely atmosphere as you stroll around.

Beijing Liulichang Culture Street (Beijing Colored Glaze Factory Street)

Located outside the Heping Gate in Xuanwu District, Beijing, Liulichang Culture Street has a long history. Early in Liao Dynasty (916 - 1125), it was a village called "Haiwang". The street's name literally translated as "Beijing Colored Glaze Factory Street", which indicated its historical role. In Yuan (1271 - 1368) and Ming (1368 - 1644) Dynasties, a colored glaze factory was set up here. In the early Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), antique dealers transacted their business on the street which turned it into an antique market. The factory has now gone but its name remains

Since liberation, great changes have taken place in this old street. In 1980, the street was rebuilt to house 54 of China's time-honored brands. For example, Rongbao Zhai, a treasure house of precious calligraphy and paintings. The China Book Store, where visitors can buy duplicates of Chinese ancient books. Bao Gu Zhai attracts many people for its innumerable famous artists' works and beautiful embroidery.

Being endowed with so many Chinese ancient treasures, Beijing Liulichang Culture Street really deserves a visit to experience the Hutong culture in Beijing.

Zhuanta Hutong (Brick Tower Hutong)

Located near South Xisi Street, Zhuanta Hutong is named after the Brick Tower which was built inside to commemorate the great Buddhism master - Wan Song in Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234). The tower has seven layers and is made of blue-grey bricks.

The name of the hutong has been passed down to today, and has a history of more than 700 years. During Yuan (1271 - 1368), Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) Dynasties, this hutong was the center for dramatic performance. In 1900, when the allied forces of eight powers invaded Beijing, the theatrical troupes were scattered and Zhuanta Hutong became a residential living area. The hutong has been home to two famous figures of Chinese history. One is Lu Xun, a great writer, thinker and revolutionary. He worked on some of his meaningful novels here in this plain hutong such as "the Blessing", "Happy Family" and "the Soap". The other famous resident was Liu Shaoqi, who was a great proletarian revolutionary.

Today Zhuanta Hutong is under good protection and preserves its historical features.

Other Famous Hutongs in Beijing:

Hutong	Location	Description
Ju'er Hutong	In Dongcheng District (East City District), starts from Jiaodaokou South Street in the east and ends at South Luogu Lane in the west	Measuring 479 yards long, it once was home to Rong Lu's (a minister in the late Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911)) mansion, ancestral temple and garden.
Guo Zi Jian Street	In Dong Cheng District (East City District)	It preserves its original look and is one of the oldest streets existing today, houses Guo Zi Jian (the highest Imperial Academy in ancient times), the Temple of Confucius and four archways.
Jin Yu Hutong (Goldfish Hutong)	In Dong Cheng District	Measures 591 yards long and houses the famous Ji Xiang Theatre (Auspice Theatre)
Mao'er Hutong	In Jiao Dao Kou area, Dong Cheng District	It houses the Home of Feng Guozhang (one of the important leaders during Beiyang warlord reign (1895 - 1928)) and the Home of Wan Rong (the last empress of Qing Dynasty).
Feng Fu Hutong	In Dong Cheng District	It was called Feng Sheng Hutong in the late Qing Dynasty, which houses the Home of Lao She (one of the famous writers in modern times).
Yi Chi Da Jie (One Foot Street)	In Xuan Wu District	Measures over 10.9 yards long and located to the southeast of the eastern end of Liulichang Culture Street, now has been combined into Yang Mei Zhu Skewed Street, and it is the shortest hutong.
Qian Shi Hutong (Money Market Hutong)	In Xuan Wu District	Narrowest hutong in Beijing with the narrowest point about 0.4 yards wide
Jiu Wan Hutong	In Xuan Wu District	It has the most turnings.