Hutong life stands test of time in Beijing

To avoid disturbing residents, a map is provided, showing four routes through the hutong area, along with a list of courtyards open to the public.

Liu Jingyi, 30, deputy director of the Shijia Hutong Museum, said: "Hutong areas are major draws for visitors looking for an authentic taste of the old city. We want to bring people to these areas so that they get a feeling for them."

A Beijing native, Liu graduated from North China University of Technology in the city, where she majored in urban planning.

She furthered her studies in the United Kingdom, obtaining a master's in urban planning and development from the University of Reading in 2014. The following year, Liu started work at the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning& Design.

Sitting on a stone bench in the afternoon sun in the courtyard of Shijia Hutong No 24, she said: "Autumn is a great time to explore hutong areas. I've worked in this one for four years and I'm still enchanted by the neighborhood."

The hutong occupies an area of about 1,000 square meters and is home to the Shijia Hutong Museum, where Liu began working in 2016.

The museum, which opened in November 2014 with funding and support from the Prince's Charities Foundation (China) and the Chaoyangmen authorities, is the first facility in Beijing established specifically to preserve hutong history.

Exhibits are presented with Chinese and English descriptions, showcasing the history and development of Shijia Hutong, along with stories from residents and celebrities.

The hutong has been home to a number of well-known figures, including writers Chen Xiying (1896-1970) and Ling Shuhua (1900-90), who lived in the courtyard of Shijia Hutong No 24.