A mere 10-minute walk from Houhai and Jin Shan Park, Nan Luo Gu Xiang (Nán luógǔ xiàng, 南锣鼓巷) is Beijing's hippest and most charming hútòng (胡同), the lanes running between traditional courtyard houses (sìhéyuàn, 四合院).

Full of trendy shops, relaxing cafes and excellent restaurants, Nan Luo Gu Xiang is a recently refurbished lane that provides visitors with a nice mix of east meets west.

The architecture is traditional, Beijing style, while the stores hint at the rapid modernization of the city, combined with expanding tastes.

Visitors to Nan Luo Gu Xiang can quickly escape the overflow of tourists to Beijing's main attractions and recharge their batteries before head back into the wild.

Continue exploring hutong at the Houhai Hutong.

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