VIBE

Gentrified 700-year-old hutong alleyway that’s become a boho-chic hub for Beijing’s burgeoning hipster scene. Once a quiet Ming Dynasty thoroughfare, Nan Luo Gu Xiang is now lined with a plethora of quirky boutiques and galleries, trendy cafés, and laidback pubs. Shopping highlights include Plastered T-shirts (no. 61), which sells edgy Beijing-inspired garb; The Pottery Workshop (no. 23), whose nifty ceramics blend contemporary aesthetics with traditional techniques; and Woo (no. 110-1), selling luxurious cashmere and silk scarves.

USE A PURCHASE FROM HERE FOR

Quirky fashion statement; souvenirs; gifts

WHY WE LIKE IT

Excellent spot for an atmospheric shopping day in Beijing. We like to set aside an afternoon (at least!) to poke through the cute boutiques and gift shops, stopping when the mood strikes us for a snack or drink in a trendy café. The relaxed nightlife here is fun too–worth staying past sundown to check it out.

GOOD TO KNOW

The alleyway runs between Gu Lou Dong Da Jie and Di An Men Dong Da Jie. If you’re hungry, there are tons of nifty cafés, restaurants, and pubs along this street, and usually the best way to choose among them is simply to pop into the first place that captures your fancy. But if you’re looking for some tried and true options to start off with, Xiaoxin’s Café (no. 103) is a good spot for coffee and snacks. Hunan restaurant Xiangwei Renjia (no. 117) serves up yummy, hearty portions of spicy Hunan classics, while fancier Korean bistro Saveurs de Corée (no. 29) offers organic Korean bites. To round out an evening, francophone pub Salud (no. 66) has a funky menu of house-brewed flavored rums and a great wine selection.

CLOSEST COMPS

Dashanzi Art District (Beijing)

Read more about Nan Luo Gu Xiang in The Diary