Old Beijing quads court new visitors

Forget five-star hotels. Four-sided courtyards offer travelers to Beijing the chance to truly live up the local culture.

More guests will be able to stay in family-run accommodations since the Beijing Municipal Tourism Development Committee announced on Jan 13 that it's encouraging more courtyard owners to convert their houses into homestays featuring life in traditional hutong (alleys) and offer local cuisine.

The committee hopes to expand the Beijing Renjia (Beijing Family) project modified from the Olympic Renjia program initiated in 2008.