Beijing Autumn Walking Guide: These 6 Hutong Routes Pack All the Romance of Old Beijing Outside the Forbidden City

"When the persimmons on Wusi Street bend the branches, and the ginkgo leaves from Baita Temple fall into your coffee cup—this is truly the autumn of Beijing as described by Lao She!" These 6 free autumn viewing routes hide the most authentic autumn flavors of the Imperial City, capturing ginkgo, red persimmons, and hutong life! [WorldMap] Route [One]: For Literature Lovers "Lao She’s Favorite" Lao She’s Former Residence → Wusi Street → Jingshan Wanchun Pavilion 📚 Lao She’s Former Residence and Memorial Hall See the persimmon tree where Mr. Lao She wrote (the bench under the tree is perfect for photos) Stamp collectors must visit: free "Four Generations Under One Roof" commemorative stamp 🌆 Wusi Street Walk Take photos in front of Peking University Red Building with "Beijing Autumn" yellow leaves + vintage street lamps Buy autumn pear syrup at "Changchun Tang" pharmacy, paired with sugar-roasted chestnuts at the hutong entrance 🌄 Jingshan Park Bonus [4:30 PM] Rush to Wanchun Pavilion at 16:30! Panoramic view of the Forbidden City + China Zun in the frame 💡 From the second-floor windowsill of the former Sino-French University, you can capture persimmon clusters on hutong rooftops🍅 🏮 Route [Two]: The Most Beijing Flavor "Ditan Fireworks" Ditan Park → Guozijian (Imperial College) → Dongsi 43rd Alley 🍂 Ditan Park Must-Do Sit on the bench along the ginkgo avenue at the west gate (same spot as writer Shi Tiesheng) Feed the pigeons that get so fat they look like balls🕊️; they might perch on your shoulder for a photo [MapleLeaf] Guozijian Fun Touch the "Top Scholar" stone tablet for exam luck (tested effective by a Tsinghua senior) Smell the limited edition "Beijing Osmanthus" at the "Guanxia" incense shop 🍢 Dongsi Food Crawl Try pea jelly at "Longfusi Snacks" on 13th Alley Buy nine-grid dim sum at "Daoxiangcun No. 0 Store" on 12th Alley 💡 Fun fact: The locust trees on Guozijian Street were planted in the Yuan Dynasty; when the leaves fall, it looks like golden rain! ⛪ Route [Three]: Mixed Style "Baita Temple Adventure" Lu Xun Museum → Baita Temple → Xishiku Catholic Church 📖 Lu Xun Bookstore Buy the woodblock stamp with the character "Morning" Drink the special "Morning Flowers and Evening Memories" coffee under the ginkgo tree in the backyard 🗼 Baita Temple Photo Spot Red walls in the east alley (navigate to "East Fork at the Palace Gate") Yao Coffee’s third floor for photos of Baita Temple while wearing Hanfu 💒 Church Secret at Xishiku Catholic Church, Beijing Diocese Ask the nun for holy water bread (sweet!) At 3 PM, the stained glass windows cast rainbows🌈 on the floor 💡 Warning: Baita Temple is closed on Mondays! Don’t be like me and miss out😭 🌍 Route [Four]: Pretend You’re in Europe "Dongjiaominxiang" 🇫🇷 Former French Post Office Stand under the black street lamps for "Paris street" style photos China Court Museum Spin the staircase; wear a camel coat for the best shots 🚨 Police Museum Free viewing of Sun Yat-sen’s assassination blood-stained clothes (not for the faint-hearted) Take photos of the church panorama from the third-floor windowsill 💡 Outfit tip: Beret + plaid scarf = instant Republic of China era vibe 🏯 Route [Five]: Lazy Traveler’s Perk "Forbidden City Extras" 🌉 Watchtower Photo Formula Southwest corner: shoot reflections + China Zun in the frame (requires wide-angle lens) Northwest corner: 4 PM golden light through the hole (reserve your spot 1 hour early) 📸 Secret North Gate Shoot ginkgo rain on the east side red wall of Shenwu Gate Buy persimmon-shaped ice cream at "Forbidden City Cultural & Creative" 🚃 Route [Six]: Foodie Special "Gulou 107" 🍡 Nanluoguxiang Avoidance Guide Don’t buy the 25 RMB bamboo tube milk tea! Head straight to "No. 69 Fangzhuanchang" for zhajiang noodles and roast duck (Qianmen Dashilan 1796 store) 🚋 Gulou Photo Spot Take photos of the 107 tram from the second floor of "Kujin Tavern" Buy almond tea and door-studded meat pies at "Chatang Li" 🍂 Beiluogu Surprise The ginkgo at "JM Cafe," a Jay Chou-themed courtyard "Xiaoshiguang" for dog petting and waiting for a hutong sunset 🥮 Autumn Food List ✅ Ditan: "Jindingxuan" chestnut braised chicken ✅ Baita Temple: "Xingyuan Restaurant" sweet and sour pork tenderloin ✅ Gulou: "Yaoji Fried Liver" with steamed buns (Guo Degang’s favorite) ✅ Dongsi: "Beixinqiao Luzhu" with large intestines! Final soul-searching question: Which of these 6 routes do you most want to explore with someone?