Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
cords, typewriters and other period clutter share space with the aroma of Chinese tea
and tempting snacks.
Return to the Alleyways
Pass the Temple of the Town God (
Click here
)
and then turn left to return to the Old
Town's quiet alleyways, with their hanging laundry, bicycle bells and outdoor
Chinese chess and mah jong games. Note the lovely old doorways on Danfeng Rd,
such as the carved red-brick gateway at No 193.
Middle Fangbang Road
Note the old stone archway when you turn back onto Middle Fangbang Rd. These
archways, known as
pailou
or
paifang,
originally marked the entrance to local com-
munities within a larger neighbourhood. Middle Fangbang Rd remains a boisterous
shopping street, filled with snack stands, clothing stores and booming stereo systems.
Tailored Clothing
Head to the
Shiliupu Fabric Market
( 2 Zhonghua Rd; 8.30am-6.30pm; Xiaonanmen)
to
browse for inexpensive silk, cashmere, wool, linen and cotton, but watch you don't
wind up with a synthetic. Tailored clothing is a steal if you've got a silk shirt or tradi-
tional Chinese jacket on your shopping list - count on one to three days' turnaround.
