Old Tartar City Architecture Tour with a Historian

The tour starts at Yonghegong station (Lama Temple Station), close to Lama Temple. As you walk to your first destination: Temple of Confucius and Guozijian Museum, Nelly your guide will give you an introduction to the history and significance of the area.

Guozijian Museum, also known as The Imperial College, a remarkable academic complex built to present the value of Chinese education, was the administrative headquarters of education during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Neighboring The Confucius and Lama Temples, Guozijian was where Chinese men would be educated to become civil servants of the imperial court. Rigorous examination took place for admittance and progression; it was seen as the highest honor for a man and his family in ancient times.

In the temple you will not only be treated to a magnificent dance recital, featuring traditional dress and the recital of Confucian doctrines, performed by students from a prestigious Beijing dance school; but you will also learn much about the influence and importance of Confucian doctrine and heritage both then and now.

Next you will walk through the historic hutong area. Different from other hutong tours, this tour focuses on exploring local residential life in the context of its history. Besides viewing the stunning architecture, you will take a closer look into it’s significance and enjoy strolling through an open-air market and tree-lined lanes.

The tour ends with a change of pace, ending at an architectural anomaly that you may be surprised, although enchanted, to find at the end of your walk through the hutongs.