In 2025, the Hutong Roots Cultural Experience Center opened and has become a hub for people exploring Zhuan Ta Hutong. The center's tea-scented air and handcrafted souvenirs inspired by traditional courtyard designs provide visitors a tactile connection to the hutong's past. The second floor is an exhibition space, while the top-floor terrace offers a panoramic view of the area's rooftops with their curved eaves.

"It's a new hotspot for both locals and tourists," says Pei Chen, the hutong renewal project's general manager.

Despite Beijing's rapid development, the sense of community in the hutong remains strong. Pei, who grew up among the city's ancient alleyways, reflected on one of their most enduring charms: the community spirit. "In the hutong, neighbors know each other. There's a real sense of intimacy here that's hard to find in today's cities. It's a rare and valuable quality in a fast-moving world," he says.

"When you walk these lanes, you're connecting with a community that has endured for centuries. Perhaps you'll leave with a book, or maybe just a deeper sense of connection to a city that has always evolved, but remains deeply rooted in its past," he adds.