南城胡同City Walk

"The east is noble, the west rich, the south lowly, and the north poor" – an old saying, yet it holds centuries of Beijing's secrets. Through the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, the east and west quarters were the political heartland of nobles and high officials, while the south was a commoner's district only later "enclosed" into the city, and the north was mostly home to ordinary folk as well. So, if you want to bask in the splendour of palaces and princely mansions, head to the central axis and the east-west quarters. But for the most authentic Beijing flavour, the liveli, most vibrant pulse of everyday life – that belongs to the south of the city! Today, let's venture deep into the hutongs of southern Beijing and experience life as locals live it.