Nanluogu Xiang

Nanluogu Xiang is a famous ancient alleyway in Beijing that is packed with small tourist shops, bars and restaurants. [Photo/IC]

Nanluogu Xiang, located to the north of the Forbidden City and the east of the axis of Beijing, was built at the same time with the Yuandadu (the Capital of the Yuan Dynasty) and so far has a history of about 800 years. The south end of the Nanluogu Xiang is Di'anmen Dongdajie, while its north end the Gulou Dongdajie (Drum Tower East Street). The lane measures 786 meters in length. It was not wide and the sub-lanes along with the lane were in pairs and facing each other, which still maintain the layout of streets and lanes in the Yuan Dynasty.

Nanluogu Xiang maintains the layout of typical buildings of the Yuan Dynasty, and so, it is called a living fossil of the city buildings of Yuandadu. There are a large number of cultural and historical relics, residences of celebrities, and is, therefore, one of the areas for protecting the old city's images and looks of Beijing City and the buffer area for the Conservation of the old Imperial City. At present, there are 28 units of protection of cultural relics at the national, municipal and district levels, including Keyuan Garden, residence of Wan Rong (the queen of the last Emperor Puyi), residence of Sengge Rinchen, residences of Rong Lu, Hong Chengchou, Kui Jun, etc. Each lane, yard and even a brick or tile are stamped with the signs of history.

Strolling leisurely along every lane of Nanluogu Xiang or gently opening old gates, you can still feel the traces of old Beijingers' life. The difference is that the people's life has changed and been added with more tints of the times. Private cars are parking along the quiet and long lanes. Neon lamp boxes show their shining signs of "Internet surfing". Pedicabs carrying domestic and foreign tourists pass ringing through the lanes. People with different complexions from different countries walk leisurely into pubs and coffee houses in the lanes, which have a heavy accumulation of traditional culture to taste refined hutong culture. All these have contributed to the building of a bar street with the unique Beijing Hutong Culture, and thus shown a beautiful scenery in Nanluogu Xiang with the integration of the oriental and occidental cultures.