The hutongs of Beijing are my favorite memory from the trip. These traditional alleys preserve the essence of the ancient city.
I rented a bicycle, a fantastic part of transportation in Beijing, and let myself get lost among courtyard houses and tea houses. Near Houhai Lake, I found some of the best-preserved hutongs of Beijing.
For anyone going to travel to Beijing, I recommend setting aside an entire morning without a fixed plan just to explore the hutongs.