Shichahai District
Shichahai or Sicha lake is a famous scenic area which includes 3 lakes; Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai.
Qianhai - Front sea
Houhai - Back sea
Xihai - West sea
Shichahai was once the terminal point of the Great Canal in the Yuan Dynasty. Then later during the Ming Dynasty, this area became a place of leisure.
We took a richshaw ride and enjoyed our ride all around the Shicha Lake; visiting some Hutongs around Shichahai, Soong Ching Ling's former residence, passed by some famous old residences and watched people fishing around the lake.
A hutong 胡同 is somewhat like a small village or a neighborhood that looks like a maze of stone-style residences. It started during the Yuan Dynasty era. We sat on the rickshaw and the rider took us along narrow roads into a hutong where we could see wooden doors and boxed-in homes.
There are currently 8 residential Hutongs in Beijing.
Rickshaw ride attractions
Our guy was a real cool tour guide. He had lots of stories to share with us.
The first restaurant I spotted was the famous Wang Pang Zi donkey burger restaurant. Must must must visit later!!!
See the 2 Chinese characters in blue on top of the door? Well according to our tour guide, some families would have 2 or 4 Chinese characters on top of their door. The culture is that, 4-character single person should marry from a 4-character home. If a 4-character home marries from a 2-character home, it would show that the family has been demoted in status! Oh dear me!!!
Stable of Regent's Mansion
Prince Chun's Mansion or famously known as Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Puyi was born in this mansion. The western part of the garden of this mansion is now Soong Ching Ling's former residence. The eastern part of this mansion used to be a horse stable, the Stable of Regent's Mansion.
Former residence of Soong Ching Ling
Statue of Soong Ching Ling
Shichahai or Shicha Lake
Shichahai is one of the more popular hutong areas in Beijing. The hutongs here were built during the Yuan Dynasty, when the Mongolians made Beijing the capital city in their time. Apparently, the word 'hutong' was given by the Mongolians. It means 'well'.
According to our tour guide, the name 'hutong' came about because of the sound made when one draws water from a well!!!
Rickshaw ride ended!
Sugar candy
Prince Kung's Palace Museum
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