Explore Beijing Shijia Hutong Museum

Beijing's Hutong, the traditional narrow alleys that wind through the city, are struggling to survive, slowly disappearing in the name of modernization. But the local community of Shijia Hutong has found a way to preserve its slice of old Beijing.

The Shijia Hutong Museum is the first museum themed on one specific Hutong. It is located at the courtyard No 24 of Shijia Hutong, Dongcheng district. The museum is a community museum to document Shijia Hutong's history and culture, and enhance the quality of local community life. The museum maintains the former structure of the courtyard, housing 10 gallery rooms and one multifunction hall used for interactive events such as lectures. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday and is free to the public.

As one of the oldest Hutong in Beijing, Shijia Hutong was initially built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and renovated in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Many celebrated Chinese figures such as intellectuals and officials once lived here. The courtyard No 24 was once owned by the writer couple Chen Xiying (1896-1970) and Ling Shuhua (1900-90).From 1958 to 2002 the courtyard was reused as a kindergarten after the couple moved to the UK. Since then, the house has been left unused and in need of renovation.

Restoration of the courtyard started in 2011. The project is as authentically as possible by using traditional Chinese craftsmanship and local materials, and to incorporate as much as possible into the buildings,such as green technology geo thermal. A modern building is created in terms of its use and relevance; but in the style it is entirely keeping with the heritage tradition of the Hutong.

The permanent exhibition covers general information about Hutong, the history and photo archives of Shijia Hutong, the celebrities that once lived here, and the everyday life of the local residents. In the main gallery room, a large model of the entire Shijia Hutong, recreated from an old aerial image, is the center of attention. Next to the model, a short documentary depicting some of the oral histories of the local residents is played on loop. Objects that were once used in daily life help to give a sense of the different time periods. All exhibits were donated by people living in the neighborhood.

Shijia Hutong Museum is not just a museum, it's about capturing the essence of the community today by placing it in the context-partly of the past, mostly of the present and the future.