Nanluoguxiang - Beijing's Retail Chic Meets Its Ancient Cultural Heritage

Chic and trendy doesn"t usually go hand in hand with historical heritage in China"s metropolises

, but Nanluoguxiang in Beijing seems to manage. Falling along a 770 metre south-north central axis in Beijing"s downtown, the Nanluoguxiang area bustles with rows upon rows of pubs, cafes and colourful arts and crafts shops. Despite being one of the best preserved slices of Beijing"s urban history, the area is even more famous for its pub scene.

Nanluoguxiang is one of the most ancient urban neighbourhoods in the city that still boasts well-preserved hutongs. Hutongs are neighbourhoods that are formed when a cluster of traditional Chinese courtyard residences known as siheyuan are laid back-to-back within a labyrinth network of lanes and alleyways. These were abodes of the lay people during Imperial times; some consider that China"s metropolitan cultural identity is contained within the layout of these hutongs, which are fast-disappearing in the wake of China"s industrial juggernaut.

Sixteen hutongs are seen to both the east and west of the central lane. With a history spanning 700 years, this is one of the oldest hutong neighbourhoods in the city. Arguably, the hutong most well-worth a visit is the Hei Zhima Hutong. The two courtyard houses found here are former abodes belonging to imperial officers, and as such, the many signs purporting the family prestige and social status are fascinating. Some cafes are housed within the hutongs themselves and offer a mouth-watering array of authentic Beijing delicacies.

Other historical sites such as the famous Beijing Bell and Drum Towers as well as the Houhai Lake all loom within sight of Nanluoguxiang.

Perhaps because the laid-back rhythms of China"s by-gone era permeates the area, the bars and pubs of found here, though numerous, are also more tranquil in nature and less expensive than in other areas of the city. Most of them boast traditional Chinese dcor that further makes the meld between past and present that much more seamless. The most well-known bars here are the Pass-by and Here establishments, which are noted expatriate haunts.

The Central Academy of Drama, the alma mater of China"s silver-screen elite, and the "Peking Downtown Backpackers Accommodation" also appear near the pubs.

Understated elegance is the hallmark of the retailing scene in the Nanluoguxiang area. Stylish clothes boutiques and handcraft shops line the handsome ash-grey lanes. The Beijing Vulcan Culture & Art Bookstore is one of the highlights of the street, which sells everything from Chinese folk curios to Tibetan Thangka paintings.

Nanluoguxiang and other un-looked-for cultural gems can be found by discerning travellers exploring Beijing"s exciting downtown. Those looking for a Beijing hotel right at the centre of the action are directed to the Grand Millennium Beijing. This five star hotel in Beijing is a landmark at the heart of the capital"s central business district, offering the finest in accommodation, services, facilities and centralized access to all of Beijing"s best sight-seeing hotspots.

by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

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