[2024 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for Dashilar (Updated Oct)

Dashilan Street

Dazhalan Jie or Dashilan is a real tourist street though very picturesque in parts. You enter the street from Qien Men and the first thing we saw was the old trolley bus and typical Chinese buildings. There are some enticing cake and sweet shops but beware of the 'hard sell' in some of the shops, especially the Tea Houses. However, the real gem is that this street takes you into the streets of Old Beijing and the Hutongs. You don't need a rickshaw as it's best just to wander off the beaten tourist track to explore the Hutongs and experience real Beijing life. There are tiny shops, local dwellings and hostels. We found one hostel in one of the old courtyard houses, which have now virtually disappeared. We also found Alice's Tea House and spent a delightful half hour having tea and listening to Alice's stories. It was a much nicer experience than the 'hard sell' of the Tea Houses on Dashilan! She can be found on TieShu Xie Jie, where she also offers cooking classes and arranges tours. #beijingtrip #urbanexplorer #oldarchitecture

Evening beauties of pedestrian street in Beijing and mobile food vendor. Using red lights at night is a part of Chinese culture. It dazzles when they use. I saw this too in Beijing. If you are hungry, then you can have food from street vendors too. #givethanks #givethanks

Dashilar street trip moments. It is located in Beijing which is the capital city of China. It was a commercial street of Beijing more than 500 years. It is near to the Qianmen street. There are many shops, cafes, restaurants here to welcome the tourists. #givethanks #givethanks

One of the top pedestrian streets of Beijing is Dashilan. It may also call Dashilar area. I forgot the exact name. It is very much popular. Many tourists come here and take photographs. It is one of the top shopping streets. #givethanks #givethanks

Alleys of Beijing Hutong. It keeps the real culture and history of the city. It is where you can get close to local ordinary people and their life. It originates in Yuan Dynasty, and now Shichahai and Dashilar areas keep the best ones. #givethanks #givethanks

A unique hotel in Beijing~New National Day accommodation recommendation~.

Good good good‼️There are 360 lines of business, and all of them are internal scrolls~ I didn't expect that there would be such a hotel in Beijing🥰 It's really an eye-opener Stay for one night and go directly through the Republic of China stage, National Day long holiday to the capital to play with friends to code it! ✔️This is the most characteristic hotel I have ever stayed in~ Carrying a hundred years of historical and cultural 📸 memories of old Beijing's stories and temperament. The decoration and scenery are high-end retro, low-key luxury! There is also a free 🆓 Phoenix cheongsam, I don’t know if I took a set of photos~ Peace Hotel same elevator 🫧 Beijing's bustling landscape elevator, overlooking all kinds of beautiful scenery 🏅The equipment is complete and intelligent Peace Dove, mini bar, drinks are free🥤 Hanging ear coffee/tea, small phoenix logo hand pot/wooden oily pen The toiletries are all brand Hermes, bringing you the most thoughtful and luxurious experience~ 🌷Not only the environment is good, the geographical location is also particularly superior~ Only a few hundred meters away from the scenic spots～ 💕Ji Xiaolan's former residence, Tan Xinpei's former residence, Mei Lanfang's ancestral home There are also Tiananmen, Temple of Heaven, Dashilan... they are all very close! 🏮Xiaofengxian Mansion Hotel

My Life FIRST | Exploring Hutongs with a Beijing Native, Dashilan

📍Location: Dashilan Area, Xicheng District, Beijing 🚗Transportation: Shared bicycles 👍️Must-visit spots: No. 93 Courtyard Museum, Picture 2 and 3, No. 93 Tieshu Xiejie, a base for the dissemination and experience of intangible cultural heritage and folk art. Huguang Guild Hall, Picture 4 and 5, No. 3 Hufang Road, the architectural style and interior decoration of the hall are full of traditional cultural charm, and its theater is rated as one of the four major wooden theaters in the world. The hutongs near Dashilan are well-preserved, retaining a strong old Beijing flavor, such as Baishun Hutong... 🎟️Ticket Information: Huguang Guild Hall requires a reservation (can be done via the official WeChat) and has no entrance fee. No. 93 Museum does not require a reservation and has no entrance fee.

My Life FIRST｜Exploring Hutongs with a Beijing Native, Baishun Hutong (Part 2)

📍Attraction Address: Dashilan, Xicheng District, Beijing 🚗Transportation: Convenient to travel by shared bicycle 👍️Must-visit Attraction: No. 40 Baishun Hutong, once the old site of Chuntai Troupe. In the early Qing Dynasty, Hui opera was popular in Anhui and Jiangsu-Zhejiang areas. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the four major Hui troupes entered Beijing to perform one after another, becoming famous throughout China. Chuntai Troupe was one of the four major Hui troupes. In the 55th year of Qianlong (1790), Chuntai Troupe settled and performed in Baishun Hutong in the Dashilan area, sparking a craze for opera among the people, and the prototype of Peking Opera began to take shape. No. 38 Baishun Hutong is the former residence of the famous Peking Opera martial artist Chi Yueting. Chi Yueting was known for his short fighting plays, performing with meticulous detail and agile, steady martial arts. He was a master of Peking Opera with both virtue and skill. He shared the stage with another famous Peking Opera master, Yang Xiaolou, for as long as 25 years, perfectly complementing each other. No. 40 Baishun Hutong, this house was once home to many old artists, making it a gathering place for opera artists of that time. However, due to improper preservation, the main structure of the building has become dilapidated and has been transformed into the current residential building after renovation. 🎟️Ticket Information: No reservation, no ticket required 💗Other Tips: This place retains more of the old Beijing flavor.

My Life FIRST | Exploring Hutongs with a Beijing Local, Baishun Hutong

📍Location: Dashilan, Xicheng District, Beijing 🚗Transportation: Shared bikes are convenient for travel 👍️Must-visit Spot: Baishun Hutong, originally named Baishu Hutong, is located in the southwest of the Dashilan area. It is 245 meters long and 5.7 meters wide. In the Ming Dynasty, it was called Baishu Hutong because of the cypress trees planted there. In the early Qing Dynasty, it was renamed Baishun Hutong, meaning 'everything goes smoothly' due to its homophonic sound. Baishun Hutong initially housed the Taiping Guild Hall and the Jintai Guild Hall. Most of the guild halls were later converted into residences. The Shanxi Taiping Guild Hall was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and was initially called the Taiping Guild Hall, later renamed the Taiping Examination Hall. The famous bibliophile Li Wenzao from Yidu, Shandong, once lived in the hall. During the Xianfeng period, the hall was moved to Wangguangfu Xiejie and renamed 'Taiping Examination Hall.' The hall plaque was made of large bluestone. Among the eight major hutongs, Baishun Hutong is the most famous. The historical evolution of each courtyard is also quite complex, with many courtyards changing hands multiple times since their construction. Some old residents cannot clearly explain their origins. 🎟️Ticket Information: No reservation, no tickets required 💗Other Tips: The southern city retains more of the old Beijing flavor.

My Life FIRST｜Exploring Hutongs with a Beijing Local, Zongshu Xiejie

📍Attraction Address: Dashilan, Xicheng District, Beijing 🚗Transportation: Shared bikes are convenient for travel 👍️Must-visit Attraction: Zongshu Xiejie, which has not changed much over the decades. In the Qing Dynasty, it was called Wang Widow Xiejie, later renamed Wang Guangfu Xiejie. The elderly usually do not call it Zongshu Xiejie, but still refer to it as Wang Guangfu Xiejie. In 1965, two small alleys to the north of the road, Guangfu Alley and Koudai Hutong, were merged and renamed to the current name. To the south of this street, there are two other small alleys, originally called Jigusitang East Alley and Jigusitang West Alley. Walking through the hutongs in the southern city, you can discover beautiful scenery, small flowers by the street, and grape trellises planted by the residents, which are all part of the daily life of the locals. 🎟️Ticket Information: No reservation needed, no entrance fee 💗Other Tips: The old Beijing flavor is more intense in the southern city.

My Life FIRST｜Exploring Hutongs with a Beijing Native, Tiaozhu Hutong

📍Attraction Address: Dashilan, Xicheng District, Beijing 🚗Transportation: Subway Line 2, get off at Qianmen Station; Ground bus Line 2, get off at Dashilan Station 👍️Must-visit Attraction: Tiaozhu Hutong is located in Xicheng District, Beijing, with a total of 13 households. In March 2022, it was selected for the "Capital Functional Core Area Traditional Place Names Protection List (First Batch of Streets and Hutongs)." This hutong is not wide, but there are six or seven old courtyards under protection, which is rare in the southern city. Among them, No. 18 courtyard is said to have been the residence of the Peking Opera martial arts actress Yan Lanqiu, and No. 39 courtyard is the former residence of the famous Peking Opera martial arts actor Yang Xiaolou. Yang Xiaolou was renowned as the "Master of Martial Arts Roles," and along with Mei Lanfang and Yu Shuyan, they were known as the "Three Virtuous Ones." Therefore, Tiaozhu Hutong is considered one of the birthplaces of Peking Opera. Tiaozhu Hutong not only has a deep connection with Peking Opera, but its name also has an interesting legend behind it. It is said that in the early days, houses were built without a unified plan, and each family acted independently, forming a shape similar to a well's pulley, hence the name Luluba Hutong. Although this name is not directly related to Tiaozhu Hutong, it showcases the fun and historical stories behind hutong naming. 🎟️Ticket Information: No reservation required, no entrance fee 💗Other Tips: The southern city preserves Beijing culture more richly.

My Life FIRST｜Exploring Hutongs with a Beijing Native, Dashilan Wudao Street

📍Location: Southwest of Dashilan area, Xicheng District, Beijing. It runs from northeast to southwest. It starts from the intersection of Tieshu Xiejie, Yingtao Xiejie, Tangzi Street, and Hanjia Hutong in the north and ends at Nanxinhua Street in the south. It is 238 meters long and 10 meters wide. During the Qing Dynasty, it was called Wudao Temple, and the street was named after the temple. 🚗Transportation: Shared bicycles are convenient. 👍️Must-visit spot: (Picture 2) Wudao Temple is located at the intersection between Tieshu Xiejie and Yingtao Xiejie, opposite the northeast entrance of the hutong at the west entrance of Hanjia Tan. The temple had a Jade Emperor Hall, with a stele inscribed by Wang Xiangqian, the Minister of War during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, stating that this place was the center of the universe. It was considered a place of geomantic significance, so a Jade Emperor Palace was built beside the temple to guard it with various deities. The Jade Emperor Hall no longer exists. Another theory is that the temple was built by eunuchs for Wei Zhongxian to pray for blessings and peace. Legend has it that after the temple was built, a famous person was asked to write an inscription for the military stele, intending to flatter Wei Zhongxian. The person, under authority, dared not refuse but did not wish to praise him. So he wrote: 'The Wudao Temple is the temple of the five deities. People think the tree is in front of the temple, but I think the temple is behind the tree. Why? Please list the names.' The eunuch, not understanding the text, thought it was a masterpiece and had it engraved on stone. The Wudao Temple still exists today, with a two-story rear building. The Wudao Temple is currently not open to the public. In 1965, during the reorganization of street names, Wudao Temple First Street and Wudao Temple Second Street were merged and renamed Wudao Street. 🎟️Tickets: No reservation needed, no entrance fee. 💗Other tips: The culture of southern Beijing is well preserved.

My Life FIRST | Exploring Hutongs with a Beijing Native, Beihuoshan Hutong

📍Attraction Address: West side of Qianmen, Xicheng District, Beijing, running east-west, starting from Meishi Street in the east and ending at Yangwei Hutong in the west, with a total length of 200 meters, 🚗Attraction Transportation: Take Subway Line 2 to Qianmen Station, or Bus Route 2 to Dashilan Station 👍️Must-Visit Attraction: Beihuoshan Hutong was included in the Capital Core Area Traditional Place Names Protection List in March 2022. Beihuoshan Hutong had the Qisheng Temple built in the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty, commonly known as the Scorpion Temple. The alley east of the temple was named after the temple, with the south side called Nanhuoshan and the north side called Beihuoshan. It has been called Beihuoshan Hutong since 1965. This hutong has always been part of the Dashilan commercial area, with old brand shops such as Yishunxing Trading Company (No. 5 Hutong) and Dingsheng Pawnshop (No. 7 Hutong) located within. 🎟️Ticket Information: No reservation required, no entrance fee 💗Other Tips: Dashilan in the southern city is one of the most culturally and commercially rich areas in Beijing.

My Life FIRST | A native Beijinger takes you on a tour of the hutongs, Nanhuoshan Hutong in Dashilar

📍Attraction address: Nanhuoshan Hutong is located in the northeast of the Dashilar historical and cultural conservation area, running from northeast to southwest. It starts from the middle section of Beihuoshan Hutong in the northeast and ends at Yangwei Hutong in the southwest, with a total length of 160 meters and a width of about 2.5 to 4.2 meters. 👍️Must-visit attractions: The history of Nanhuoshan Hutong can be traced back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, when there was a temple called Qisheng Temple (commonly known as Scorpion Temple or Xiezimiao), located to the south of the temple, hence the name Nanhuoshan. This temple was renovated during the Qing Dynasty and has been used under this name until after the liberation. In 1965, Xiezimiao and Beihuoshan Alley were merged and collectively referred to as Beihuoshan Hutong, but the name Nanhuoshan is still widely used. Nanhuoshan Hutong is not only a symbol of Beijing's historical and cultural heritage but also an important window to understand the protection of traditional place names in Beijing. In March 2022, Nanhuoshan Hutong was included in the 'Capital Core Area Traditional Place Names Protection List (Streets and Alleys Category First Batch)', further highlighting its status and value in the cultural protection of the capital's core area. 🎟️Ticket information: No reservation required, free admission 💗Other tips: Located in the southern part of the city, with a strong Beijing character, Hutong tour is a great place

Men Ding Meat Pie and Zhajiang Noodles: A Culinary Journey on Qianmen Street!

Beijing's Qianmen Street, a commercial thoroughfare that carries the charm of the ancient capital and the bustle of modern prosperity, offers visitors a unique shopping experience. On the evening of June 24, 2023, the street is still brilliantly lit and bustling with noise. Having just cycled over from the Temple of Heaven Park on a yellow bike, I was deeply attracted by the performance outside Liu Laogen Stage, whose lively style showcased the unique cultural charm of Beijing. On Qianmen Street, a dazzling array of store brands meets all shopping needs, whether it's for food, clothing, or daily necessities. It is recommended to plan your route along the central axis of Qianmen Street, starting from Liu Laogen Stage, passing through Dashilan Street and Xianyukou Street, and finally reaching Beijing Fang. Such a route allows for the fullest experience of the hustle and bustle and charm of Qianmen Street. In terms of culinary experiences, both the Men Ding Meat Pie and the No. 69 Zhajiang Noodles at Fangzhuan Factory left a deep impression. Although the Zhajiang Noodles were slightly less impressive after being packed up and taken back to the hotel, they are still worth a try. The roast duck at Siji Minfu was not tasted due to the long queue, and it is recommended that visitors go there outside of meal times. The bill details show that the total cost for the Men Ding Meat Pie, millet porridge, Zhajiang Noodles, roast duck rolls, and Beibingyang soda was 99 yuan, which is quite cost-effective. For shopping and entertainment, Qianmen Street and Dashilan boast famous shops like Madame Tussauds Beijing, Deyunshe, Tongrentang, Neiliansheng, Ruifuxiang, and Quanjude, while Beijing Fang has the PageOne bookstore and the Starbucks Reserve flagship store, providing visitors with a wealth of cultural and leisure options. Qianmen Street is not only a famous commercial street in Beijing but also an important part of the central axis of the capital, witnessing the historical changes from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the Republic of China. Today, it is still popularly known as Qianmen Street, an excellent place for visitors to experience Beijing's culture.

High cost-performance ratio, walking distance to Beijing Tiananmen

Address: Granary Hotel (Beijing Tiananmen Branch) Located near the attractions, every inch of land is precious. The location is very good, walking distance to Tiananmen The cost-performance ratio is very high. Don't have too many expectations for this price range within the Second Ring Road. The public restroom is even cleaner than the indoor one, very upscale. Close to Qianmen Street and Dashilan. Just go out of the alley and there is a commercial street, not far from Tiananmen, depending on your needs.

Feasting at Qianmen Dashilan

Today is already into February, and there are less than ten days until the New Year. Today, I came to stroll around Qianmen Street and Dashilan. Qianmen Street is on the central axis of Beijing, south of the Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower, all the way to Tianqiao, and it must be the most famous commercial pedestrian street in Beijing. Dashilan is on the west side of Qianmen Street, extending west to South Xinhua Street, starting from the south at Zhushikou West Street, and reaching north to Qianmen West Street. It was established in the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1420), known as Langfang Four Streets; in the first year of Hongzhi of the Ming Dynasty (1488), wooden barriers were set up at the alley entrances to prevent thieves, hence the name 'Dashilan'. By the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, the Dashilan area was the commercial and entertainment center of Beijing, with numerous theaters, bookstores, banks, guild halls, and time-honored brands concentrated here. Now, the festive atmosphere in the Qianmen Dashilan area is at its peak, with lanterns, Spring Festival couplets, decorative lights, and various other decorative elements everywhere. The tourists are also in droves, and every shop is packed with people, with some food shops having long queues. Strolling along Qianmen Street from north to south, I first turned into the Xianyu Kou food street on the west side when I reached the Dashilan intersection, then continued to wander through Dashilan Street, all the way to Guanyin Temple Street, and finally walked through the alleys to Liulichang. Amidst the sea of people, I kept moving, and today was certainly 'lively' enough. Walking through the pedestrian street during the festival, the main attraction is 'eating all the way', as it seems that this is the true festive feeling. Today I ate quite a lot: lamb skewers, pear soup, donkey rolls, Ai Wo Wo, hairy eggs, roasted gluten, coconut eggs, and so on. Among them, the best was Donglaishun's lamb skewers, 25 yuan per skewer, with a long queue, but incredibly fragrant and definitely of high quality. If this were at a temple fair, it would sell for at least 40 yuan, and it wouldn't be as delicious, so some time-honored brands are indeed trustworthy; however, the pear soup bought on the street next was not good, 15 yuan a cup, very bland, definitely not the traditional old Beijing taste; donkey rolls and Ai Wo Wo were also not good, too small and hard, and the taste was very different from what I had as a child; eating hairy eggs was about recalling childhood memories, 20 yuan for four, the taste was right, just too small; eating roasted gluten was purely out of craving, this is not a Beijing specialty; coconut eggs were quite ordinary, I just wanted to taste some coconut, but later a kid on the street saw it and kept asking where to buy it; I saw fried scorpions for sale, 35 yuan for a small skewer with four or five pieces, which scared me off, this used to be three yuan a skewer at the entrance of Longfu Temple. In summary, except for Donglaishun's lamb skewers, the other snacks do not represent the characteristics of Beijing snacks at all, the taste is completely off, and the prices are outrageously high. Many people say Beijing is a 'gourmet desert', and if you have tasted Beijing's food in such a scenic spot, it's easy to come to such a conclusion. Leaving Dashilan on my way home, I passed through Hufang Bridge and bought some donkey rolls and Ai Wo Wo from Jing Tian Hong store, which is what Beijing snacks are all about, completely different from what I had in the scenic area; then at the entrance to my home, I bought some Baodu powder from Mabei'er, really delicious and cost-effective. So, the snacks in the scenic area are just for the atmosphere, if you really want to experience the food properly, it's better to find a place to eat after leaving the scenic area.

Beijing Food Tour | A leisurely stroll to satisfy your cravings

| A leisurely stroll to satisfy your cravings. The cold of winter intertwines with the joy of the Spring Festival, both our stomachs and hearts are anticipating that unique festive flavor. The busy meals in work and study can no longer satisfy our craving for gourmet food. The leisure time on weekends should become a journey to explore the Spring Festival delicacies. In 'Beijing Dashilan', those shops that have a variety of authentic snacks, comfortable small shops and provide dine-in, become our first choice for a warm rest. Get off at 'Qianmen Station' Exit I In the order of the pictures, the following are the actual shops we have eaten at (with the shop location distance map attached at the end): muji restaurant (p1-p6) Rich and sweet milk ice cream, rich curry chicken bento, the first floor mainly serves desserts, coffee and simple meals, you can study with a cup of coffee all afternoon, the second floor is for main meals, sukiyaki and okonomiyaki are very delicious, there is also an open-air balcony, where you can see Tiananmen, Qianmen City Tower, a scenic spot; Starbucks - There are three, make sure to check the address (two are highly recommended) Starbucks - Beijing Fang Store (p7-p9) The largest Starbucks in Beijing with three floors, the second floor is the hand-brewed area, and the third floor is the special Starbucks bar. The store is very spacious with many seats. All three floors have open glass windows, find a seat by the window, feel the warm afternoon sun shining on you, you can hold your laptop, book and stay there all afternoon; Starbucks - Qianmen Dashilan Store (p10) Located in Dashilan Pedestrian Street, it is a preservation and transformation of an old building, very small and exquisite, the perfect combination of completely wooden Chinese architecture and the richness of coffee, the second floor is an excellent location overlooking Qianmen Pedestrian Street; Wuyutai Ice Cream (p11) Matcha ice cream, flower tea ice cream, matcha ice cream has a rich tea aroma, slightly bitter and not sweet, it's my favorite; Feng's Tripe (p12) Tripe with sesame sauce, is the food that I, as a Beijinger, most want to eat in the cold winter. Although the shop is not big, there is always a wisp of white smoke coming out of the old copper pot, as soon as you push the door, you can smell the aroma of roasted buns and the unique taste of tripe, giving the greatest warmth to the customers who step into the shop from the cold winter; Qiankun Space (p13-p15) Chinese porcelain fragment refrigerator magnets, Chinese postcards, old maps of Beijing, brooches. The entrance is a wooden door with a big 'Fu' character on it, pushing the door in seems to isolate the commercial noise, full of cultural atmosphere. The shop owner is an old man who loves Chinese culture and regularly conducts explanations on Chinese porcelain, architectural restoration methods, and the origins of the items in the shop. Suzuki Cafeteria (p16-p18) Suzuki meat pie, sukiyaki pork chop rice, daily dessert. A Japanese cafeteria that I can't forget. There is a small courtyard with a unique Japanese style, the scenery is unique. The shop environment is also very warm and beautiful, the food tastes very ok

To the west of Qianmen Street is the Dashilan, and to the east is the fresh fish mouth. The Dashilan that just happened to be a note, is still the place where ordinary people in Beijing walk around. Ruifu Xiangli still uses the most primitive bookkeeping method to buy and sell. Mr. the accountant sits on a high place, and there are many tracks made of steel wire in front of him. Leading to several booths below. Need to pay, just from the bottom end, put the money on the shelf of the track, a wave, the money will go to the account. The change and receipt are sent back through the track and delivered to the customer with the cloth. Of course, I dont care about the color of the cloth. I sit quietly in the corner and look at the clips flying overhead. Later, the front gate Dashilan became a place where only tourists came back. My psychological distance from here is getting farther and farther. Over time, the front door began to transform the traffic layout, began to re-plan the nearby traffic routes, began to build Beijing Square, began to repair and repair the Hutong group. "Dashilan" Formerly known as the four corridors, it is the oldest and most famous ancient market in Beijing. Old Beijing once had a saying that the head is covered with horses, dressed in Ruixiangxiang, and the foot tower is connected in the foot, which is the famous shops in Dashilan. Today's Dashilan is also very lively. To say that China's commercial streets are somewhat unfamiliar, there are also some points here. However, I highly recommend the architecture on the street, which basically maintains its original appearance. Looking up at the third floor of the second floor, you will find that there is the "Chinese film birthplace" Daguanlou, there is "Dashilan first food store" Daoxiang Village, there are old brands: Tong Ren Tang, Rui Yi Xiang, Zhang Yiyuan, Liu Biju, etc. Wait. Old Beijing now buys tea in the Spring Festival, and many still only recognize Zhang Yiyuan on the street.