Mao’er Hutong

　　Mao’er Hutong is one of the most renowned hutongs in Beijing and ranks fourth among the city’s top ten hutongs. It is situated between Di’anmen and the Drum Tower in Beijing’s old city, stretching 585 meters in length and 7 meters in width. During the Ming Dynasty, Mao’er Hutong was known as Zitongmiao Wenchang Palace. The name “Mao’er Hutong” was adopted during the Qing Dynasty. The Wenchang Palace was a place dedicated to the worship of Wenchang Dijun, also known as the God of Literature, often associated with the literary star Wenchang in mythology—a deity believed to govern scholarly success. Today, the site of the former Wenchang Palace houses Mao’er Hutong Primary School. Numbers 9 and 11 of Mao’er Hutong are Keyuan (Garden of Delight), one of the most representative private gardens in Beijing. Numbers 35 and 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, including Hong Chengchou and Feng Guozhang.

　　Source: Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development