Beijing Hutongs — Exploring Shijia Hutong: Siheyuan Heritage in Old Beijing

Shijia Hutong, often called “One Hutong, Half of China,” is one of the most historic and culturally rich Hutongs in Beijing. It is located on the east side of Dengshikou Street in Dongcheng District, stretching from Dongsi South Street in the west to Chaoyangmen Inner South Street in the east. The Hutong is 726 meters long and 7.4 meters wide. It is said to be named after the influential Shi family who once lived here. As one of the oldest surviving Hutongs in Beijing, it has largely preserved the traditional look of old Beijing.

1. Historical Origins

Shijia Hutong was first built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) and officially named in the Ming Dynasty. Over the centuries, more than 80 Siheyuan once stood here, creating a vibrant cultural neighborhood.

Name and Legends

The origin of its name is debated. One story says it was named after the Ming Dynasty general Shi Kefa, while another attributes it to the Shi family, who lived here during the Ming era. Either way, the Hutong became a place where family, culture, and history intertwined.

2. A Cradle of Education

Education has always been a part of Shijia Hutong’s identity. In the Qing Dynasty, it was home to the Left Wing Imperial School, built for the children of the Eight Banners. Later, in 1909, the Qing government established the Chinese Educational Mission Office here, which laid the foundation for Tsinghua University.

Notable Students

Between 1909 and 1911, three rounds of exams selected 170 outstanding students—including Hu Shi, Zhu Kezhen, and Zhao Yuanren—who went abroad to study and later became pioneers of modern Chinese science and culture.

Shijia Hutong Primary School

In 1939, Shijia Hutong Primary School was founded at No. 59. It soon gained the reputation of being one of the best schools in Beijing. Over the years, the school hosted events at the Bird’s Nest Stadium, celebrated in the Great Hall of the People, and even welcomed football star David Beckham.

3. Famous Courtyards and Residents

Every courtyard in Shijia Hutong tells a story. Nearly 40 well-known figures in politics, education, art, and culture once lived here.

Selected Courtyards

• No. 59 Courtyard: Birthplace of Tsinghua University and later Shijia Hutong Primary School.
• No. 55 Courtyard: Former residence of Qing minister Jiao Youying, later home to senior Communist Party member Li Weihan.
• No. 53 Courtyard: Linked to Ming general Shi Kefa and later home to writer Deng Yingchao and the All-China Women’s Federation.

• No. 51 Courtyard: Once the Beijing office of Ta Kung Pao newspaper and the home of General Li Shuchun. Later occupied by diplomat Zhang Wenjin and his daughter Zhang Hanzhi, as well as cultural figure Hong Huang.
• No. 47 Courtyard: Home of General Fu Zuoyi after 1949. Later, Vice President Rong Yiren also lived here and hosted foreign dignitaries.
• No. 41 Courtyard: Once the Danish Embassy, later the staff dormitory of Peking Union Medical College.
• No. 35 Courtyard: Residence of General Zhou Tiren, who helped arrange the peaceful liberation of Beijing in 1949. Now the All-China Women’s Federation Elderly Home.

• No. 24 Courtyard: Now the Shijia Hutong Museum. Former home of writer and architect Lin Huiyin and her husband Liang Sicheng. Many cultural icons, including Rabindranath Tagore, Hu Shi, Xu Zhimo, and Qi Baishi, visited here. Donated by Lin’s daughter Liang Zaibing, it became Beijing’s first Hutong museum.
• No. 33 Courtyard: Home of diplomat Wang Bingnan, once Mao Zedong’s secretary.

• No. 31 Courtyard: Residence of painter Luo Gongliu and sculptor Hua Tianyou, who worked on the Monument to the People’s Heroes.
• No. 20 Courtyard: In 1952, the Beijing People’s Art Theatre was founded here by playwright Cao Yu.
• No. 27 Courtyard: Poet Ai Qing lived here and wrote Ode to Light in 1979.

• No. 23 Courtyard: Revolutionary Sun Wu and later General Fu Zuoyi lived here. After 1949, it became the home of General Peng Mingzhi.
• No. 13 Courtyard: Home of printmaker and publisher Zou Ya, deputy editor-in-chief of People’s Fine Arts Publishing House.
• No. 8 Courtyard: Former residence of Le Songsheng of the Tong Ren Tang pharmacy family, later home to economists Huang Jing, Fan Jin, and Yu Guangyuan.
• No. 5 Courtyard: Former home of Qing scholar-official De Bao’s family, famous for producing top imperial examination candidates.

4. Cultural Heritage and Modern Significance

Today, Shijia Hutong is more than just an old street. It is a living museum reflecting Beijing’s transformation through the Yuan, Ming, Qing, Republican, and modern eras. Its narrow lanes and well-preserved Siheyuan courtyards are a direct link to the city’s past.

Experiencing History

Walking through Shijia Hutong is like stepping into a storybook. Every brick and wooden gate whispers of scholars, artists, and revolutionaries who once called this Hutong home. It is a place where history and modern life meet, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into the cultural soul of Beijing.

5. Visiting Shijia Hutong Today

For tourists, a walk through Shijia Hutong offers both a history lesson and cultural experience. Take your time exploring the courtyards, observe architectural details, and imagine the lives of those who lived here. Photography enthusiasts will also find the Hutong’s narrow lanes, red-brick walls, and traditional doorways perfect for capturing the essence of old Beijing.

Shijia Hutong remains a bridge between past and present, a living reminder of Beijing’s rich heritage.