Travel in China
Nanluoguxiang is a place to wander - start at either end of the main lane and take your time, ducking into side alleys whenever a gateway looks interesting.
Suggested Itinerary
- The main lane stroll
Walk the full 787 metres from south to north - snack as you go. - Side-alley exploration
Duck into the hutongs branching east or west for quieter residential lanes. - Drum and Bell Towers
Exit north and continue to the timekeeping towers of the old city.
What to See
The Courtyard Gates
Look for carved brick gates with drum stones - size indicates the resident's former rank.
Central Academy of Drama
China's premier drama school - its courtyard campus has launched generations of film stars.
Bitter Bamboo Bookshop
A tiny independent bookstore in a courtyard.
Rooftop Terrace Cafes
Several cafes have terraces overlooking the grey-tiled sea of the old city.
Side-Alley Laundry Lines
The everyday poetry of hutong life - laundry, bicycles and birdcages.
Mao Dun's Former Residence
A quiet courtyard museum on the lane's west side.
Photo Gallery
Tips from Real Travelers
Food & Drink
Wenyu Cheese Shop
Beijing-style milk custard - the classic Nanluoguxiang snack.
Tanghulu
Red hawthorn berries on skewers dipped in hard sugar.
Gulou Duck Restaurant
Roast duck near the north end - a local alternative to Quanjude.
Hutong Craft Beer Bars
Chinese craft beer and cocktails in courtyard settings.
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