Tourist Guide and Food Guide of Nanluoguxiang in Beijing
Tourist Guide
Geographical Location and Transportation
Location: Located in Nanluoguxiang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing.
Transportation
Subway: Take Subway Line 8 and get off at Nanluoguxiang Station, and you can directly reach the main street of Nanluoguxiang by exiting from Exit E or F.
Bus: There are many bus lines nearby. You can choose to take them according to the actual situation, such as Bus No. 107, Bus No. 124, etc., and get off at Baocao Hutong Station and other stops and then walk to the destination.
Block Layout and Features
Layout
Nanluoguxiang runs from north to south, starting from Gulou East Street in the north and reaching Ping’an Avenue in the south. There are 16 Hutongs neatly arranged on both the east and west sides, and the whole looks like a centipede, so it is also called “Centipede Lane”.
The main street is relatively wide, with various shops and restaurants on both sides; while the Hutongs in the east-west direction are relatively quiet, retaining many traditional courtyard buildings. Walking in them, you can experience the charm of old Beijing Hutongs.
Features
Historical and Cultural Significance: As one of the oldest blocks in Beijing, it has a history of more than 740 years and contains rich historical and cultural connotations. It has witnessed the changes of many dynasties, and many famous people once lived here, such as Qi Baishi, Mao Dun, etc.
Architectural Style: The traditional courtyard architecture is a major feature. The grayish-blue brick walls, exquisite brick carvings, simple and ancient gate towers, etc. show the unique charm of old Beijing architecture. At the same time, there are also some fashionable buildings that have been renovated and integrated with the traditional style, forming a unique visual effect.
Food Guide
Must-try Snacks
Zha Jiang Mian (Noodles with Soybean Paste)
Recommended Shop: Fangzhuanchang No. 69 Zha Jiang Mian. The Zha Jiang Mian in this shop is excellent. The noodles are chewy, the meat sauce has a proper proportion of fat and lean meat and is fried deliciously. With abundant vegetable toppings, such as shredded cucumbers, bean sprouts, shredded Xinlimei radish, etc., after mixing evenly, each bite is full of strong Beijing flavor.
Lu Zhu Huo Shao (Stewed Chitterlings and Baked Wheat Cake in Soup)
Recommended Shop: Chen Ji Lu Zhu Xiao Chang. The Lu Zhu Huo Shao in his shop is made with solid ingredients. The baked wheat cake is cooked thoroughly but not mushy, and the large intestines, lungs, etc. are cleaned well without any strange smell. The stewed soup is rich and mellow, and there are also ingredients like fried tofu inside. It tastes rich and mellow and is a good place to taste the traditional old Beijing cuisine.
Chao Gan (Fried Liver)
Recommended Shop: Yao Ji Chao Gan. Chao Gan is one of the typical Beijing breakfasts, but you can also taste it at any time in Nanluoguxiang. The fried liver in Yao Ji Chao Gan has a bright thickening juice, strong garlic flavor, the large intestines are fat and tender, and the liver tips are smooth and tender. Eating it with steamed buns is a classic Beijing way of eating.
Bao Du (Quick-boiled Tripe)
Recommended Shop: Bao Du Feng. Bao Du pays attention to the freshness of the tripe and the heat control. The Bao Du in Bao Du Feng has just the right heat, and the tripe tastes crispy and tender. Dipping it in the special sesame paste seasoning is full of delicious flavor.
Old Beijing Yogurt
You can buy this kind of old Beijing yogurt in porcelain bottles at many small stalls and shops in Nanluoguxiang. It has a rich taste, moderate sweet and sour, and there is a thick layer of cream on the top. It is a good product to relieve thirst and greasiness while shopping.
Special Desserts and Drinks
Wen Yu Nai Lao (Wen Yu Cheese)
As an online celebrity dessert shop in Nanluoguxiang, the signature cheese in Wen Yu Nai Lao must be tasted. It has a fine texture, melts in the mouth, has a strong milk flavor and a faint aroma of rice wine. Having a bowl in hot weather is very refreshing.
Tang Huo Shao (Sesame Seed Cake with Brown Sugar Filling)
You can buy it in some traditional Beijing pastry shops, such as Da Shun Zhai. The outer skin of Tang Huo Shao is crispy, and the inside is soft. The flavors of sesame paste and brown sugar are perfectly integrated, sweet but not greasy, and the more you chew, the more fragrant it is.
Old Beijing Scented Tea
You can taste the authentic old Beijing scented tea in some teahouses. The tea fragrance is delicate and the taste is mellow. Sitting in a teahouse with antique flavor and tasting the scented tea, you can experience the leisure time of old Beijing.
Tour Route Planning
Cultural Experience Route
Enter from the north entrance of Nanluoguxiang and visit Mao Dun’s Former Residence first to understand the life and works of this literary master.
Then walk south along the main street and visit the Central Academy of Drama to experience the artistic atmosphere (you can take photos at the gate for souvenir).
Then turn into Yu’er Hutong and visit Qi Baishi’s Former Residence Memorial Hall to appreciate the master’s art works.
Finally, arrive at Suoyi Hutong. It is relatively quiet here, and you can slowly appreciate the traditional courtyard buildings and experience the Hutong life of old Beijing.
Food Exploration Route
After entering from the south entrance, taste the old Beijing yogurt at the nearby snack stalls to whet your appetite first.
Then go to Fangzhuanchang No. 69 Zha Jiang Mian to taste the authentic Zha Jiang Mian.
After eating the noodles, buy Tang Huo Shao at a nearby shop as a dessert.
Then walk north to Chen Ji Lu Zhu Xiao Chang to taste Lu Zhu Huo Shao and experience the traditional flavor of old Beijing.
Finally, taste the cheese at Wen Yu Nai Lao shop to end the food tour perfectly.
Other Precautions
Visiting Time
Nanluoguxiang is suitable for visiting all year round, but each season has different characteristics. Spring and autumn have pleasant climates and are the best seasons for visiting; in summer, there are more tourists and the weather is hot, so you need to pay attention to heat prevention; in winter, you can experience the flavor of the old Beijing Hutong during the Chinese New Year, but you need to keep warm.
The recommended visiting time is half a day to a day, and it can be adjusted appropriately according to your own interests and time arrangements.
Consumption Tips
The prices of the shops on the main street of Nanluoguxiang may be relatively high. When buying souvenirs or tasting food, you can compare several shops. You can also look for some more cost-effective shops in the surrounding Hutongs.
Be careful to avoid buying some overly commercialized and low-quality tourist souvenirs. You can choose some handicrafts or cultural products with Beijing characteristics, such as Peking Opera facial makeup, old Beijing paper-cut, etc.
