Morning - Drum Tower and Bell Tower (start 09:00 AM)
Begin where the Yuan dynasty planned its capital: the Drum Tower, first built in 1272 and rebuilt several times since, and the Bell Tower beside it. Climb the steep wooden stairs for the drum performance and a view straight down the city's central axis, and hear how the towers kept official time for a walled city of a million people before clocks were common.
Late morning - Shichahai and Yandai Xiejie
Walk down to the Shichahai lakes - Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai - which form the water axis of old Beijing. The lane known as Yandai Xiejie, once lined with shops selling tobacco pipes and hanging bags, is one of the few streets in the city that kept its Qing-era shopfronts. Cross the Silver Ingot Bridge and look for the goldfish sellers and the retired men who bring their songbirds out in cages.
Lunch
A family-run courtyard restaurant near the lakes, with northern dishes and dumplings.
Afternoon - Prince Gong's Mansion and Nanluoguxiang
Prince Gong's Mansion was laid out in 1777 and is the most complete surviving Qing princely residence in Beijing, with a garden of rockeries, pavilions and a hall built as a private theatre. From there follow Nanluoguxiang, a hutong of about 786 metres that has kept its Yuan-dynasty line, and continue on foot along lanes of grey brick courtyard houses.
Evening - Free time by the lake
The walk ends at Houhai, where you are free to stay for dinner or return to the hotel with your guide.
Meals
Lunch
Accommodation
Day tour - no hotel night included.
