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Offered languages
- English
Rather than only walking through Beijing’s hutongs, guests spend time inside a real local family home. This private experience combines a guided Shichahai neighborhood walk with two hands-on traditions: Chinese calligraphy and dumpling making.
A private English-speaking guide interprets the activities and conversations with the host family, helping guests understand both historic hutong culture and everyday life in Beijing today. Guests share a generous home-cooked lunch and leave with their own calligraphy artwork.
Example Menu
Starter
Traditional Beijing Sweet Snacks
Served with Chinese tea. Snacks may include fried honey-glazed pastries, crispy glutinous rice sticks or another locally available specialty.
Main
Handmade Pork & Cabbage Dumplings
Traditional northern-style dumplings from scratch. Vegetarian options available upon request.
Main
Seasonal Stir-Fried Vegetables
A freshly prepared vegetable dish selected according to the season and availability.
Main
Seasonal Family-Style Main Dish
A seasonal family-style dish, such as sweet and sour pork, meatballs, Kung Pao chicken or salt and pepper chicken.
Dessert
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
A selection of locally available seasonal fruit served after lunch.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet your guide directly outside Exit A2 of Shichahai Station (Line 8). The guide will hold a sign with your name. Please arrive 10 minutes early and message us on WhatsApp or WeChat when you arrive. If you cannot find the guide, contact us by message or phone.
What to expect
1️⃣ Shichahai & Hutong Walk
Meet your private guide outside Exit A2 of Shichahai Station. Walk through the Drum and Bell Tower area, Yandai Xie Street, Yinding Bridge, Houhai and residential hutongs while learning about Old Beijing.
2️⃣ Siheyuan Home Introduction
Enter a local family home and learn how a traditional siheyuan courtyard is arranged, how families shared its rooms and how hutong homes have adapted to modern life.
3️⃣ Chinese Calligraphy
Learn to hold the brush, practise basic strokes and write meaningful Chinese characters with a local instructor. Take your finished artwork home.
4️⃣ Dumpling Making
Prepare northern Chinese dumplings by making the filling, rolling wrappers and practising different folds before cooking them together.
5️⃣ Home-Cooked Lunch, Tea & Stories
Share your dumplings, seasonal family dishes, tea and fruit with the host family. Your private guide interprets the conversation and explains local traditions and everyday life in Beijing.
As a private experience, the walking pace and activities can be adjusted to your group.
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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