Written by Natalia |
As the capital of China, Beijing has many historical streets that predate some nations. Actually, the real essence of Beijing is its ancient streets and hutongs. Check this guide for the top historical streets in Beijing!
Content Preview
- 1. Wangfujing Street
- 2. Qianmen Street
- 3. Nanluoguxiang
- 4. Dashilar Street
- 5. Liulichang Street
- 6. Mao’er Hutong
- 7. Guozijian Street
- 8. Dongjiaomin Lane
- 9. Yandai Xie Street
- 10. Nanchizi Street
- Explore More Popular Attractions in Beijing
- FAQs: Historical Streets in Beijing
- Plan Your Beijing Historical Street Tour with China Xian Tour
1. Wangfujing Street
Stories of Wangfujing Street start from the Ming Dynasty. It locates in the heart of Beijing which is just a stone’s throw from the Forbidden City. Back then, it was originally a market street and over the years, it has now evolved into a busy commercial district.
A little fun fact: The name “Wangfujing” comes from an old legend about a well in a prince’s mansion well. That well no longer exists, but the name has been kept.
How to Get to Wangfujing Street?
Take subway Line 1 and get off at Wangfujing Station.
What to Do at Wangfujing Street?
- Snack your way: Start your snack trip here at a small, narrow lane full of food stalls. Do taste deep-fried scorpions and roasted chestnuts. Don’t let the exotic options scare you! The candied hawthorn sticks and sugar-coated fruit are also tourists’ favorites.>> See details about Wangfujiang Snack Street
- Go shopping: Take a few minutes to explore the smaller lanes behind the main street. There are more authentic goods than big stores.
- Explore the bookstore: Don’t miss the Wangfujing Bookstore. It’s one of Beijing’s largest; wandering through the rows of books is a great way to escape the crowds.
2. Qianmen Street
The name “Qianmen” literally means “Front Gate,” and it got the name since it was once the main gateway into the Imperial City. Here you’ll pass under a lot of traditional archways and Qing Dynasty-style buildings, which can make you feel like walk in the history. They have been carefully kept in the old Beijing style.
How to Get to Qianmen Street?
Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Qianmen Station. Then take a short walk.
What to Do at Qianmen Street?
- Admire the ancient architecture: you can see a lot ofQing Dynasty-style buildings here. Among them, the Qianmen Gate is absolutely the greatest highlight which has watched over the city for hundreds of years.
- Try local food: Definitely try Peking Duck.This is probably the most famous dish of Beijing, and its name is already been heard by the entire world. For the most authentic experience, Quanjude is where you should go. It has a history of serving Peking duck for over a century.
3. Nanluoguxiang
“Nanluoguxiang” literally means “South Drum Tower Alley,” because of it’s location, which is quite near to Beijing Drum Tower. The whole alley is about 800 meters, and it was a residential area for government officials and scholars. And there are some most authentic Beijing-style buildings here.
How to Get to Nanluoguxiang?
Take Metro Line 6 and get off at Nanluoguxiang Station.
What to Do Near Nanluoguxiang?
- Wander the Hutongs: Taste the most authentic old Beijing vibe.
- Grab a coffee: Over the years, Nanluoguxiang has become a hipster haven. Here the historical charm is blended with the modern atmosphere, just like how the fragrance of coffee fill the centuries-old hutongs.
- Visit the Drum Tower: The Drum Tower is one of the oldest structures in Beijing. Definitely a must-see!
Suggested Tour: 5 Days Beijing Tour Package with Panda Encounter
4. Dashilar Street
“Dashila” means “big market” in Chinese. It was the center of commerce in ancient Beijing. It attracted merchants to sell goods here. Today, it’s still a commercial street, but it’s more like a living museum.
This street is good for having a cup of tea in a small tea shop. Or just step into a centuries-old store, or discover little antique shops.
How to Get to Dashilar?
Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Qianmen Station. It’s very close to the entrance of Dashilar.
What to Do Near Dashilar Street?
- Shop for traditional Chinese souvenirs: Dashilar is still a great place to find authentic Chinese souvenirs, like crafts, silk, jade, and porcelain.
- Visit old temple: Near the northern end of Dashilar, there is a temple called the Temple of the White Pagoda, which is one such gem.
5. Liulichang Street
Liulichang Street was originally a market during the Ming Dynasty. Its name literally means “Glassware Lane,” and just as it implies, it’s a street with glass shops. Over the centuries, whenever people want to buy some traditional Chinese art, this would be the right place to go. You can find antique stores or art galleries here.
How to Get to Liulichang Street?
Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Hepingmen Station.
What to Do at Liulichang Street?
- Explore the antiques: There are many antique shops selling the precious forms of arts.
- Watch artists at work: If you’re lucky, you might just witness an artist at work in some sites. There are still shops housing skilled artisans along Liulichang. They would be creating art with age-old techniques.
- Explore traditional art supplies: Liulichang is also a fascinating place to explore and hunt for unique souvenirs. You can buy special brushes, inkstones, and rice paper and send others as a gift.
6. Mao’er Hutong
Mao’er Hutong is a treasured place which still hasn’t been overrun with tourist shops. Instead, it retains its old-world charm in the hidden corners. The name “Mao’er” (meaning “hat” in Chinese) is actually coming from its unique shape in history. The hutong was once home to a Qing Dynasty cap-making workshop, where traditional hats were crafted. And interestingly, the alley itself also has a shape which is wider at the western end and narrows sharply at the eastern end, with a slight upward curve. And it quite resembles the shape of a traditional Chinese hat.
How to Get to Mao’er Hutong?
Take Metro Line 8 and get off at Shichahai Station. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk.
What to Do at Mao’er Hutong?
- Explore the courtyards: The main attraction of Mao’er Hutong is the courtyards. These traditional Beijing homes are surrounded by high brick walls. So hutong always gives tourists a private and peaceful feel..
- Visit former residences of celebrities: Mao’er Hutong is the former residence of Empress Wanrong. She is the last empress of the Qing Dynasty and had her tragic life alongside Puyi, the last emperor of China. Wanrong spent part of her later years here.
- Visit historical sites: Zitong Temple and Wenchang Palace take you back even further in time. They are the cultural and religious aspects of ancient Beijing.
7. Guozijian Street
Guozijian Street is named after the Imperial College, which was the highest educational institution in the Qing Dynasty and earlier dynasties. For hundreds of years, it was where China’s brightest scholars trained to become officials in the imperial court. The Confucius Temple and the Imperial College are also found here.
How to Get to Guozijian Street?
Take the Beijing Subway Line 5 to Yonghegong Station.
What to Do Near Guozijian Street?
- Visit the Confucius Temple: The Confucius Temple on Guozijian Street is the second-largest Confucius Temple in China. It’s an important symbol of how much Chinese culture reveres Confucius and his teachings.
- Visit the nearby Lama Temple: The Lama Temple (Yonghegong) is just a short walk from Guozijian Street. Typically, Lama Temples are in Tibet, but this one is special. This is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist temples outside of Tibet. Really interesting, right?
Suggested Beijing tour including Guozijian Street: 1 Day Beijing Culture and Sightseeing Tour
8. Dongjiaomin Lane
Dongjiaomin Lane is the longest hutong in old Beijing. During the late Qing period, Dongjiaomin Lane became the official diplomatic mission from Western countries. And this street became a battleground between foreign forces and Chinese rebels during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. So it’s also the historical symbol of Beijing. While the foreign legations are no longer there, this historical street still has a sense of grandeur.
How to Get to Dongjiaomin Lane?
Take Line 5 of the Beijing subway and get off at Chongwen Gate, or take Line 8 to Wangfujing. From there, it’s a short 10- to 15-minute walk to Dongjiaomin Lane.
What to Do at Dongjiaomin Lane?
- Wander through the alleyways: It’s a perfect place to take photos of traditional courtyard houses. Look closely and you’ll find many European-style gates.
- Visit the nearby attractions: Dongjiaomin Lane is located near Qianmen Street, the Temple of Heaven, and the Forbidden City.
9. Yandai Xie Street
Yandai Xie Street was once a major thoroughfare for ancient merchants, and its name acturally means “Pipe Lane.” In the past, the tobacco pipes were mostly sold here by the many street vendors during the Qing Dynasty. While tobacco pipes are no longer the main attraction, you can still explore its shops and street vendors.
How to Get to Yandai Xie Street?
Take Line 8 and get off at Shichahai Station.
What to Do Near Yandai Xie Street?
- Explore the shops: Yandai Xie Street is a good to shop forunique souvenir
- Visit the nearby lakes: After exploring Yandai Xie Street, don’t miss the nearby Houhai Lake. Bars and live music will make the whole street alive.
Related reading: Beijing Hutongs
10. Nanchizi Street
Nanchizi Street gets its name from the Nanchizi Palace. This is a palace once used by imperial concubines. In the Qing Dynasty, the area became a commercial center, which had seen gatherings of all kinds of people, such as craftsmen, artists or even scholars and writers. Today, Nanchizi Street still holds traces of its rich history, and you’ll find stories in traditional architecture and charming shops.
How to Get to Nanchizi Street?
You can take Line 5 and get off at Jinyu Hutong Station.
What to Do at Nanchizi Street?
- Admire historic architecture: There are a lot of traditional sites along Nanchizi Street. Wandering through these architectures is like a journey back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
- Find unique souvenirs: Nanchizi Street is full of local shopscome here and find something unique for your friends and family.
Explore More Popular Attractions in Beijing
- The Forbidden City: The Forbidden City is one of the most iconic attraction in Beijing. The grandeur of the emperor’s world, indeed, lies in these ancient imperial palace.
- The Great Wall of China: There is a saying that “He who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true man.”When visiting Beijing, it would be a must-do to walk along the Great Wall while also enjoy views and its rich history.
- Temple of Heaven: It’s a peaceful spot where emperors once prayed for good harvests.
- Summer Palace: This is a beautiful lakeside garden where many Beijing people would come to relax and enjoy the mild wind.
- Tiananmen Square: Of course the symbol of China and also one of the world’s largest public squares.
- Jingshan Park: A perfect spot to have a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. In autumn, you will see the most beautiful foliage here.
Related reading: Best Markets in Beijing
FAQs: Historical Streets in Beijing
What are the most famous historical streets in Beijing?
Some of the most famous historical streets include Wangfujing, Qianmen, Nanluoguxiang, and Dashilar.
What’s the best historical street in Beijing?
Dashilar or Mao’er Hutong would certainly be your best bet. They are quiet and can provide the most original old Beijing style.
What are the ancient hutongs in Beijing?
Hutongs are narrow alleyways with traditional courtyard homes. It’s kind of like a “narrow” version of a street. Famous hutongs include Nanluoguxiang and Mao’er Hutong.
What is the best time to visit these historical streets in Beijing?
Definitely early morning or late afternoon. During these periods, the streets are quieter and full of the sense of local life.
How long does it take to explore these streets?
Typically, you can spend 1–2 hours on a street. But if you like taking photos or shopping, it may cost you longer time.
Plan Your Beijing Historical Street Tour with China Xian Tour
Beijing’s history is reflected in its historical streets. Each stop of the Beijing old street tour gives you a taste of Beijing’s past. So, take a step off, plan your hutong tour with China Xian Tour, let our professional guide lead you to go through all the highlights and feel the heart and soul of Beijing.
