Zhonglouwan Hutong (钟楼湾胡同)

The short answer: Zhonglouwan Hutong runs along the east and west sides of the Bell and Drum Towers (钟鼓楼) and is the lane closest to Beijing's Central Axis. At 757 m long it wraps the Drum & Bell Towers plaza and has been a focus of the Central Axis heritage conservation and the 2023–25 'back-street' refinement campaign. It is a free, walkable street linking the Drum/Bell Towers with surrounding hutong courtyards and the Shichahai area.

At a glance

Where it is: 东城区钟鼓楼东西两侧 (surrounds 钟鼓楼, Dongcheng District)
How long to allow: 30–60 minutes (add the Bell/Drum Towers climb)
Ticket & access: Free open street, all day (the Bell/Drum Towers themselves charge separately if you climb them).

What it is

Zhonglouwan Hutong runs along the east and west sides of the Bell and Drum Towers (钟鼓楼) and is the lane closest to Beijing's Central Axis. At 757 m long it wraps the Drum & Bell Towers plaza and has been a focus of the Central Axis heritage conservation and the 2023–25 'back-street' refinement campaign. It is a free, walkable street linking the Drum/Bell Towers with surrounding hutong courtyards and the Shichahai area.

Why it's worth the stop

757 m lane flanking both sides of the Bell & Drum Towers
Closest hutong to Beijing's Central Axis (中轴线)
Drum & Bell Tower views framed by renovated lane and courtyards
Near the Central-Axis-flanking 鼓楼 and 什刹海 area

Getting there

Metro Line 8 to 什刹海 station or Lines 2/8 to 鼓楼大街 station, then walk to the 钟鼓楼 plaza; the lane opens off both sides of the towers.

Tickets and opening hours

Free open street, all day (the Bell/Drum Towers themselves charge separately if you climb them).

Practical details

Where it is: 东城区钟鼓楼东西两侧 (surrounds 钟鼓楼, Dongcheng District)
How long to allow: 30–60 minutes (add the Bell/Drum Towers climb)
Come at dusk (with lit tower floodlights) to see the towers glowing above the lane.
Combine with 什刹海 and the 南锣鼓巷 area for a full northern-old-city walk.