Foreigners living in and traveling to Beijing frequent areas like Qian’men, Sanlitun and Houhai for shopping, drinking and other fun activities. However, there are many somewhat hidden places that have much to offer like Nanluoguxiang located in the Dongcheng District near the Drum Tower (GuLou 鼓楼).
Nanluoguxiang is a traditional-style hutong (alley) that has been renovated and filled with small shops, cafes, hostels and bars. It attracts both young and old, Chinese and foreigners with its range of offerings. A few of my favorite places around Nanluoguxiang are C Rock Record Shop (located on Gulou East Ave), Plastered T-Shirts, The Pass By Bar and 12SQM Bar. If you’re shopping for a more alternative, hipper style this area is perfect with a lot of music inspired clothing.
While Nanluoguxiang’s tourist traffic has dramatically increased over the past few years, the quint feel of this hutong and others around it are still perfect for a weekend stroll. For more pictures, please see our Nanluoguxiang photo album.
(Blog contributed by TheBJReviewer on July 5, 2011. You can see the original article by following this link to TheBJReviewer)
Related photos:
Nanluogu Xiang in the Dongcheng district, once a thriving neighborhood of mismatched courtyard houses and shopfronts, is now lined with T-shirt shops and cafes catering to tourists. (Photo: Shiho Fukada for The New York Times)
A newly renovated hutong house near Nanluogu Xiang in Beijing.(Photo: Shiho Fukada for The New York Times)
Related articles:
Baochao Rising: Secrets of Beijing’s Hidden Hutong
Wudaokou: Beijing’s Multi-Cultural Milieu or a Foreign Student Fortress?
