Nanluoguxiang

Nanluoguxiang is a hidden treasure, located in Downtown Beijing, Dongcheng District. It is not only famous travel spot for hutong and courtyards (siheyuan) but also now famed for the cafes and bars, clothing and handcraft shops that line alongside hutong laneways. Regarded as "another bar area besides Houhai, Workers' Stadium and Sanlitun", Nanluoguxiang is a perfect blend of past and present. The central lane is 768 meters long from south to north, with 16 Hutong meandering east and west, giving each side eight Hutongs. It is a typical Hutong layout of the Yuan Dynasty, with a history of more than 700 years. Nanluoguxiang is one of the capital's oldest hutong areas and has been one of Beijing's 25 cultural and historical

protection areas since 1990. The southern end of Nanluoguxiang can be found at Di'anmen on Ping'an Dajie, the northern end at Gulou Dongdajie (Drum Tower East Street). Bars and cafes here are quieter than those in Houhai, and they provide less-expensive food and drink. Most of them are decorated in traditional Chinese styles that match well with their surroundings. Some make good use of the courtyards to create a comfortable and lovely atmosphere. Several shops in the area are very interesting. They sell unique gifts such as plates and coasters featuring artistic designs. There were also many other ornaments for sale including bottles, enamel cups and a selection of ornaments displaying Chairman Mao's image. All this contributed to the nostalgic atmosphere of the alley. Nanluoguxiang is also an ideal place to eat with plenty of different establishments offering western

food such as pizza and coffee. Chinese meals are also available. If you visit Nanluoguxiang, make sure you don't miss the Wenyu Cheese Shop. Many people come here just for this reason. At 11:30 you can see about 10 people queuing up outside the door, thirty minutes before opening time. When you returned at 12:30, the line had increased to about 50 people. Red bean double-cream milk, cheese plain, and milk steamed roll are among their specialties. It is said that the cheese here used to be eaten by former prince and princess of the royal family. Of course, they are really tasty. Most of the travelers do not know Nanluoguxiang, but once you been here, you will definitely fall in love with this old and modern street. Here are some guide information for your tour to Nanluoguxiang: Address: Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District, Beijing. Admission Fee: free, Openning Hours: all day long,  Contact Number: 86-10-85968802