For this window alone, it's worth making a special trip to Beijing Shichahai!

## Beijing Shichahai Three-Day Essential Guide: The Fireworks and Poetry of Old Beijing Shichahai, the heart of Beijing, carries the bustling life and royal charm of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Here you can find the "Eight Little Scenes of Yanjing" on Yinding Bridge, as well as the lively courtyard life deep in the hutongs; you can row a boat while listening to the zither, enjoy the neon lights of bars at night, or touch half of Qing history at Prince Gong’s Mansion. Three days are enough for you to travel through time and experience the most authentic Beijing lifestyle. --- ### **🏨 Accommodation Recommendations: Elegant Beijing Courtyards in the Hutongs** 1. **Beijing Shichahai Shadow Play Culture Theme Hotel** - Immersive experience of shadow puppetry, calligraphy, and other traditional cultures, a 5-minute walk to Houhai Bar Street, with quaint siheyuan design. 2. **VUE Houhai Hotel** - Designer hotel with a rooftop Moon Bar overlooking the Houhai night view, blending hutong culture with modern art, understated luxury. 3. **Beiping International Youth Hostel** - Located in Nanluoguxiang, cost-effective, garden courtyard full of artistic atmosphere, suitable for backpackers. --- 🗺️ Three-Day Itinerary **Day 1: Hutong Stroll & Nighttime Boat Ride** - **Morning**: Explore and snack on Yandai Xiejie (recommended: "Wenyu Cheese" red bean milk roll, "Nanmen Shuanrou"), check in at the "Qing Dynasty Postal Cabinet" to collect creative fridge magnets. - **Afternoon**: Take a tricycle tour of the hutongs (route: Prince Gong’s Mansion → Guo Moruo Former Residence → Yinding Bridge), listen to the driver’s stories about old Beijing. - **Evening**: Take a rowboat from Lotus Market Pier, enjoy the sunset glow, listen to the zither player, and experience the "Qinhuai River in the sound of oars and lantern shadows." - **Night**: Have a drink at Houhai Bar Street, recommended "Lanxi" or "Hutong Quiet Bar," feel the Beijing folk ballads. **Day 2: Explore the Prince’s Mansion & Cultural Trails** - **Morning**: In-depth tour of Prince Gong’s Mansion ("One Prince Gong’s Mansion, half of Qing history"), check in at the "Fu" character stele on the rear tower. - **Noon**: Huguo Temple Snack Street, taste Beijing snacks like pea jelly and donkey rolling (avoid Jiumen snacks, low cost performance). - **Afternoon**: Song Qingling Former Residence (former site of Prince Chun’s Mansion) + Guanghua Temple (Beijing Buddhist Association location), feel the architectural aesthetics blending East and West. - **Night**: Sugar House Coffee Terrace, overlook Drum Tower and Houhai night view, order a special old Beijing pear soup cocktail. **Day 3: Local Life & Central Axis Finale** - **Early Morning**: Morning scene at Bell and Drum Towers (if on the hour, listen to the drum time signal), climb the tower to overlook the old Beijing central axis. - **Noon**: Roast Meat Season (next to Yinding Bridge) try grilled meat on skewers, or "No. 69 Zhajiangmian" with unlimited noodle refills. - **Afternoon**: Explore side hutongs of Nanluoguxiang (recommended Yu’er Hutong, Mao’er Hutong), avoid commercial shops on the main street. --- ### **🍜 Must-Try Food List** - **Nanmen Shuanrou** (freshly sliced lamb + sesame paste baked cake) - **Wenyu Cheese** (red bean double-skin milk) - **Roast Meat Season** (grilled meat on skewers) - **Huguo Temple Snacks** (pea jelly, flour tea) --- **Travel Tips:** - Transportation: Subway Line 8 "Shichahai Station" is the most convenient, walking or shared bike riding is recommended inside the hutongs. - Best Seasons: Spring and autumn (April-May, September-October), summer for lotus viewing, winter for ice skating. - Avoid: Jiumen snacks have low cost performance, recommend Huguo Temple Snack Street or hutong small eateries. Three days in Shichahai is a crossing of history and the present, a dance of the common and the elegant. May you find your own "Beijing Splendor" here.