Houhai Lake, Beijing Editorial Photo

Houhai is a lake and its surrounding district in central Beijing, one of the three bodies of water composing the Shichahai. In recent years the area has become known for its nightlife as it is home to many popular restaurants, bars, cafes and souvenir/apparel stores. Houhai is surrounded by hutongs, but is not itself a hutong. While walking around the lake you can observe the traditional hutongs that are fast disappearing in modern Beijing. You can hire a rickshaw for a tour through the hutongs. In the summer you can also rent boats.