Prince William starts China tour with visit to museum in Beijing

Britain's Prince William poses for photos at the Ambassador's residence in Beijing on March 2, 2015. Chen Mengwei / For chinadaily.com.cn

The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, visited Shijia Hutong Museum in Beijing in the morning of March 2.

At the museum, the prince interacted with Chinese youth who volunteer for philanthropic activities, including helping children, youth and people with disabilities.

Hutong are alleys that connect low-rise courtyard houses. This particular courtyard house has been restored by the Prince of Wales's China Foundation and the Prince's Foundation for Building Communities.

Liu Pei, who works with Cultural Development Center for farmers and their offspring in Beijing, said he hoped to take this opportunity to communicate with the prince and broaden the children's horizons.

Prince William began his visit to China on Sunday, marking the first visit to China by a senior British royal in close to three decades. He is scheduled to visit Shanghai and Southwest China's Yunnan province.

Before China, Prince William visited Japan for three days. He is on his own during the visit in China. His wife, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, is pregnant with their second child, due in April.