Local Beijing: Market, Hutongs & Temple of Heaven Walking Tour

Discover a side of Beijing that many visitors miss. We’ll begin at a traditional neighborhood market, where local residents shop for fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, tofu, spices and everyday ingredients. We’ll also grab breakfast from tiny local stalls with no seats — just stand, eat and keep going, the way many Beijingers do. From the market, we’ll walk through nearby residential hutongs and see everyday neighborhood life away from the busy tourist areas. At the Temple of Heaven, we’ll first see how locals use the park today — practicing tai chi, kicking shuttlecocks, exercising or singing. Then we’ll explore its historic heart, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. In just a few hours, you’ll experience both everyday Beijing and its grand imperial past.

We’ll meet at the entrance of a traditional neighborhood market and spend about 40 minutes exploring the stalls, seeing what local residents buy and trying a few typical Beijing breakfast foods along the way. Next, we’ll walk for about 30 minutes from the market to the East Gate of the Temple of Heaven. The walk takes us through local streets and hutongs, giving you a glimpse of everyday neighborhood life in Beijing. We’ll then spend about 1 hour and 50 minutes exploring the Temple of Heaven, learning about its most important buildings, imperial rituals and traditional Chinese beliefs. The tour finishes at the South Gate of the Temple of Heaven. Total duration: approximately 3 hours.