CITY GUIDE >City Guide
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CITY GUIDE >City Guide
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Inside hutong history
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-09 16:38
The broadest Lingjing Alley, in Xidan shopping area, is 32 m wide - much wider than a six-lane expressway. Its name comes from a celebrated temple, Hong'en Lingji Palace. The Ming Dynasty Emperor Zhu Ding ordered the construction of the temple to honor the spirits of his two brothers, who helped him win a war and recover from illness. The narrowest Qianshi Alley is the narrowest hutong in Beijing, with the tightest passage just 80-cm wide. People have to walk sideways when meeting here. Located along Zhubaoshi Street, it is called Qianshi ("money market") because there were once several money exchange shops here. It is said people chose this location to exchange money because the street has a dead end. Thieves and con men couldn't escape if they ran the wrong way. The most zigzagging Most alleys in Beijing are straight. But if you walk into Jiudaowan ("nine turns") Alley, located near Beixin Bridge, you will likely soon become lost as the winding route has many unexpected turns.
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