Celebrate the Moon Festival With Beijing Postcard’s Hutong Scavenger Hunt

This Moon Festival (Sep 10) Beijing Postcards have put together one of their famous Hutong Scavenger Hunts, but this time they’ve added some special Moon Festival themed challenges. This scavenger hunt is family friendly, suitable for both adults and children and will give you the chance to explore Beijing’s historic Dashilar district while learning about Beijing’s history and Mid-Autumn Festival traditions. 

Traversing through Dashilar you’ll be following in the footsteps of warlords, prostitutes, red guards and imperial officials, discovering some of Beijing’s hidden history. Some historic sights you’ll encounter along the way will be everything from Republican brothels of a bygone era to communist factory halls or Qing dynasty mansions and Beijing’s first stock exchange. You’ll also get the opportunity to meet local residents and hear their unique stories. 

Added onto all of this will be Mid-Autumn themed challenges and information. You’re probably already familiar with the Moon Festival story of Chang’e and Hou Yi, along with the Jade Rabbit, but have you ever heard of Lord Rabbit (兔兒爺 tù'er yé) who saved the capital from a deadly plague? A deity unique to Beijing this tiger riding warrior is a central figure in Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in the capital and you can learn more about him on the scavenger hunt.

As well as Lord Rabbit, other questions being explored will be: What is the moon festival actually about? Why and how was the moon celebrated? Why were men not always welcome at moon related celebrations? If you’re dying to find out more about Lord Rabbit and the answers to these questions then you should definitely sign up!

In order to take part in the scavenger hunt you don’t need to have Chinese language skills or any prior knowledge of Chinese history and kids are also welcome to join. The scavenger hunt it a team event and groups of three to five are suggested, you’re also welcome to sign up alone and will then be sorted into a team on the day. 

The Hutong Scavenger Hunt- Moon Festival Special will take place from 2pm-6pm Sep 10 and tickets cost RMB 300 for adults and RMB 150 for children, you can purchase tickets by scanning the QR code below. The meeting point for the scavenger hunt is Beijing Postcards, see the full address below. 

Beijing Postcards
No. 97 Yangmeizhu Byway, Dongcheng District
东城区杨梅竹斜街97号

READ: Ever Seen These Mounting Stones in Beijing's Hutongs?

Images: courtesy of Beijing Postcards, Wikimedia Commons, Uni You