kewl, since your question those years ago Ive found out the hutongs around the Bell and Drum towers were slated to become yet another Ye Olde Chinese Town. The initial plan was to demolish the much disfigured lot (the 20th century add-ons, plastic shopfronts etc) and 'do a Qianmen' where the old buildings would be reconstructed from old photos, from scratch. However since the local uproar the plans have been shelved and as far as I know these hutongs still survive. I think the Muslim area of town is near there too, and plans for Ye Olde Silk Route Town centred around the main mosque were set.
If youre thereabouts again, do report back on what happened.
Cant wait for your next series