Mao’er Hutong

Mao’er Hutong

Mao’er Hutong is one of the most famous hutongs in Beijing and ranks fourth among the city’s top ten hutongs. Located between Di’anmen and the Drum Tower in Beijing’s old city area, it stretches 585 meters in length and is 7 meters wide. During the Ming Dynasty, Mao’er Hutong was known as Zitongmiao Wenchang Palace, and its current name was adopted during the Qing Dynasty. The Wenchang Palace was a place dedicated to worshipping Wenchang Dijun, also known as the God of Literature and Culture—commonly referred to as the “Literary Star” in mythology, a deity believed to govern scholarly fortune. Today, the site of the former Wenchang Palace houses Mao’er Hutong Primary School. Buildings at No. 9 and No. 11 Mao’er Hutong are Keyuan (Garden of Delight), one of the most representative private gardens in Beijing. No. 35 and No. 37 were the former residences of Wanrong, the last Empress of China. In addition to Wanrong, many other notable figures have lived in this hutong, such as Hong Chengchou and Feng Guozhang.

Address: Jiaodaokou Subdistrict, northeastern Dongcheng District, Beijing

Type: Historic district / Cultural attraction

Recommended visiting time: 1–2 hours

Opening hours:

Open all day

Ticket information:

No admission fee.

Transportation

Take bus routes 118, 13, 42, 60, 612, 623, or 701 and get off at Di’anmen East Station.

Source: Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development