Day 1: A city walk exploring quiet hutongs, commercial streets, and scenic lakes.
not mentioned
Sunny, cold winter day
Morning
3 hours
1
Bei Luo Gu Xiang
Start the walking tour here.
Quiet, artsy hutong with indie cafes and vintage shops.
Free to walk, snacks approx 0.5 RMB
Tips: Great for a quiet, relaxing start; try the street snacks.
Food Recommendations:
- Chinese Leek Pie
Lunch
1 hour
2
Santoor Restaurant
Located within the hutong area.
Authentic Bangladesh restaurant popular with locals.
Moderate
Tips: Highly recommended despite not being local Chinese food.
Food Recommendations:
- Butter Pie
- Curry Corner (Samosa)
- Beef Curry
Early Afternoon
1 hour
3
Coffee Break
Walk along Bei Luo Gu Xiang.
Relaxing break at a local coffee shop.
75 RMB (approx $10) for two drinks
Tips: Many cafes and bookstores available for resting.
Food Recommendations:
- Grapefruit Latte
- Latte
Afternoon
Variable
4
Nan Luo Gu Xiang
Cross the road from Bei Luo Gu Xiang.
Bustling commercial street with food stalls and souvenir shops.
Variable for shopping/snacks
Tips: Very crowded; good for buying fridge magnets and souvenirs.
Food Recommendations:
- Tanghulu (Candied Fruit)
- Men Ding Meat Pie
- Fang Zhuan Chang Noodles
Late Afternoon
10-20 minutes
5
Mao'er Hutong
Turn left from Nan Luo Gu Xiang area.
Historic hutong featuring traditional architecture.
Free
Tips: Look for the 'Mao'er Hutong' sign; Rickshaws available for tourists.
Sunset
30 minutes
6
Shichahai (Qianhai & Houhai)
10 minute walk from Mao'er Hutong.
Scenic lake area offering a relaxing escape from city noise.
Free
Tips: Houhai area has many bars and nightlife options.
Evening
30 minutes
7
Yandai Xiejie & Gulou (Drum Tower)
Walk from Shichahai.
Shopping street leading to the historic Drum Tower.
Free to walk
Tips: Very crowded; leads directly to the Drum Tower landmark.
Day 1: A city walk exploring quiet hutongs, commercial streets, and scenic lakes.
not mentioned
Sunny, cold winter day
Morning
3 hours
1
Bei Luo Gu Xiang
Start the walking tour here.
Quiet, artsy hutong with indie cafes and vintage shops.
Free to walk, snacks approx 0.5 RMB
Tips: Great for a quiet, relaxing start; try the street snacks.
Food Recommendations:
- Chinese Leek Pie
Lunch
1 hour
2
Santoor Restaurant
Located within the hutong area.
Authentic Bangladesh restaurant popular with locals.
Moderate
Tips: Highly recommended despite not being local Chinese food.
Food Recommendations:
- Butter Pie
- Curry Corner (Samosa)
- Beef Curry
Early Afternoon
1 hour
3
Coffee Break
Walk along Bei Luo Gu Xiang.
Relaxing break at a local coffee shop.
75 RMB (approx $10) for two drinks
Tips: Many cafes and bookstores available for resting.
Food Recommendations:
- Grapefruit Latte
- Latte
Afternoon
Variable
4
Nan Luo Gu Xiang
Cross the road from Bei Luo Gu Xiang.
Bustling commercial street with food stalls and souvenir shops.
Variable for shopping/snacks
Tips: Very crowded; good for buying fridge magnets and souvenirs.
Food Recommendations:
- Tanghulu (Candied Fruit)
- Men Ding Meat Pie
- Fang Zhuan Chang Noodles
Late Afternoon
10-20 minutes
5
Mao'er Hutong
Turn left from Nan Luo Gu Xiang area.
Historic hutong featuring traditional architecture.
Free
Tips: Look for the 'Mao'er Hutong' sign; Rickshaws available for tourists.
Sunset
30 minutes
6
Shichahai (Qianhai & Houhai)
10 minute walk from Mao'er Hutong.
Scenic lake area offering a relaxing escape from city noise.
Free
Tips: Houhai area has many bars and nightlife options.
Evening
30 minutes
7
Yandai Xiejie & Gulou (Drum Tower)
Walk from Shichahai.
Shopping street leading to the historic Drum Tower.
Free to walk
Tips: Very crowded; leads directly to the Drum Tower landmark.
