Yandai Xiejie 烟袋斜街 (Picture 1)
Yandai (烟袋 smoking pipe) Xiejie (斜街 byway) is one of the oldest hutongs in Beijing. Located in the Xicheng District, it is close to the Shichahai and Houhai which are famous attractions in Beijing. Yandai Xiejie is 232 meters (253 yards) long with its east end on the Di'anmen Street and the west to the Yinding Bridge. Stepping into the street for about 50 meters, one would come to the south end of the Dashibei Hutong, which goes to the Gulou West Street (Gulou Xidajie). Passing over the Yinding Bridge one can reach the Shichahai Bar Street.

Dongjiaomin Lane in Beijing 东交民巷 (Picture 2)

Dongjiaomin Lane 东交民巷, known originally as Dongjiangmi (East Glutinous Rice) Lane, was later called Legation Street. In 1416, Emperor Yongle decreed that this district should be set aside for raising animals and growing crops. Later a number of government offices and princes' mansions were built here.

Nanluogu Xiang 南锣鼓巷 (Picture 3)

Nanluogu Xiang 南锣鼓巷 is an old lane renowned for its long history, Hutong culture, specialty stores, and distinctive foods. It is 768 meters (2,519 feet) long and 8 meters (26 feet) wide. Its north end joins Gulou Dong Dajie, and the south end is connected to Di'anmen Dong Dajie. There are eight parallel hutongs on each side of Nanluogu Xiang. These sixteen hutongs and Nanluogu Xiang were put on the first list of 25 historic and culturally protected areas in November 1990, by the Beijing Municipal Government. Situated in the downtown area, it is convenient to reach.

Zhuanta Hutong (砖塔胡同 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.

Ju'er Hutong 菊儿胡同 (Picture 4)
In Dongcheng District (East City District), starts from Jiaodaokou South Street in the east and ends at Nanluogu Xiang (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 国子监街
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 (金鱼胡同 Goldfish Hutong)
In Dong Cheng District

Measures 591 yards long and houses the famous Ji Xiang Theatre (Auspice Theatre)

Mao'er Hutong 帽儿胡同
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 丰盛胡同
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 (一尺大街 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 in Beijing.

Qian Shi Hutong (钱市胡同 Money Market Hutong)
In Xuan Wu District

Narrowest hutong in Beijing with the narrowest point about 0.4 yards wide