Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Local Life
Nanluogu Xiang
Once a traditional, sleepy alley, the 800-year old
hutong
of
Nanluogu Xiang
(
OFFLINE MAP
, B3; Nanluoguxiang) is now one of the most happening areas in Beijing; an insatiably
bubbly strip of bars, cafes, restaurants and shops that's hugely popular with young Beijingers. You could spend
the day here browsing for gifts, or the night bar-hopping. Do make sure, though, to dive into the alleys that run
off Nanluogu Xiang. Some are now sprouting bars and cafes too, but many
hutong
, such as historic Mao'er
Hutong, remain largely residential. You won't have to walk too far before you discover courtyard houses that
have been home to the same families for generations.
Other
hutong
that are well worth a wander:
›
Guozijian Jie, near Confucius Temple (
OFFLINE MAP
, B1)
›
Zhonglouwan Hutong, near the Drum Tower (
›
Jiansuo Zuoxiang, where you'll find Mao Zedong's former home (
OFFLINE MAP
, B5)
6
Jingshan Park
PARK
GOOGLE MAP
One of our favourite parks, and one of the few places in Beijing where you'll see a hill.
It's man-made (built to protect the neighbouring Forbidden City from evil spirits using
earth excavated during the construction of its moat), but climb it for tremendous views
over the centre of the city.
(
景山公园
; Jingshan Qianjie; admission ¥2;
6am-9.30pm;
Tiananmen
West then
5)
7
Dragonfly Therapeutic Retreat
The two-hour Hangover Relief Massage at this soothing, upmarket spa works wonders,
but for real pampering go for the Royal Delight, in which two masseurs get to work at the
MASSAGE
