It's the visual image of what many Westerners envision when they think of China. Plus for a country that is quickly building buildings that they will never use as fast and as cheap as possible, it's kinda nice to escape it all and pretend you are back to a culturally better time while you walk around a hutong.

They're much prettier than the soviet style buildings you see everywhere and they are built along, narrow, winding alleys that are just a million times more interesting to explore than the massive, broad boulevards found elsewhere in Beijing.

If you explore some of the residential hutongs (and don't mind the inquisitive, territorial glances by the inhabitants) then the hutongs can really offer a glimpse into old Beijing and the simple life. You often see elderly residents sitting on the steps of their doorway with their tiny, fluffy dogs, gossiping with the neighbours and complaining how the times have changed and how there are waiguoren everywhere now.

You'll also stumble upon cute little shops and restaurants that sell simple snacks, noodles and drinks...shops that are fast disappearing...Despite the fact that many hutongs don't have plumping or heating and so aren't the most comfortable places to live in, I think they are an important piece of Beijing's historical and cultural fabric and should therefore be protected at all costs.

It's a big secret, but hutongs are known for their wild sex parties.