Several new ways of travel, with "Citywalk" being a representative one, are becoming increasingly popular among the public. For those embarking on "Citywalk" tours in Beijing, here are some artistic streets and alleys that you cannot miss!

Yangmeizhu Street - Beijing Fun

Located in Dashilan Subdistrict, Xicheng District, the street named "Yangmeizhu Street" (also known as "Yangmeizhu Diagonal Street") gradually took shape after Dadu (present-day Beijing) was established in the Yuan Dynasty. It currently stretches from Meishi Street on the east to Yanshou Street on the west.

Nowadays, the street has incorporated modern cultural elements while preserving its traditional essence. It houses shops like the Old Beijing Lord Rabbit Store, Suzuki Kitchen, "Road to Freedom" - The No. 8 Café, Nuoman's Grocery Store, and Song's Calligraphy and Painting. The arrival of one and another unique shop has contributed to a stronger artistic ambiance of the street and, therefore, attracted many curious visitors.

Address: Yangmeizhu Street, Xicheng District, Beijing.

Come out from the east end of Yangmeizhu Street, then walk northwards, and you will arrive at Beijing Fun. The buildings there generally sustain the architectural features of China between 1912 and 1949. Coffee shops, bars, tea houses, bookstores, fragrance stores...a variety of artistic elements are scattered among the old-style buildings there. It is an area where historical ambiance and modernity coexist, where Chinese and foreign cultures blend together.

PAGEONE's bookstore in Beijing Fun is one of Beijing's most popular bookstores. The store features floor-to-ceiling windows and a scenic terrace. On the second floor of the bookstore, you can enjoy a view over the Archery Tower of Zhengyangmen Gate as well as Qianmen Street through the glass windows there. Even the Forbidden City and the White Pagoda of Beihai Park far away can be observed on bright days.

Address: No. 17, Langfang Toutiao, Meishi Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

West Damochang Street - Dongjiaomin Lane

West Damochang (Xidamochang) Street has been one of Beijing's famous commercial streets since the Ming and Qing dynasties. This street was initially formed during the Ming Dynasty and was closely related to the stonemasons who came to the urban areas of Beijing from the suburbs.

Centuries ago, various merchants and wealthy families gathered in the Qianmen Area, and each family had its own large millstones, mortars, and whetstones. The stonemasons, relying on craftsmanship passed down from their ancestors, established their presence there and opened numerous factories and workshops for grinding millstones and polishing stone tools. This gave rise to the name "Damochang" (factories/workshops burnishing stones) which signifies the characteristics of the business environment back then.

Address: West Damochang Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Dongjiaomin Lane stretches from Chongwenmen Inner Street on the east to the east side road of Tian'anmen Square on the west, with a total length of about 1.6 kilometers. It is a European-style area housing embassies, churches, banks, official residences, and clubs. It is also home to the Embassy Buildings of Dongjiaomin Lane, the only remaining collection of early 20th-century Western-style architecture in Beijing.

Walking along Dongjiaomin Lane, you will encounter picturesque buildings such as small, red-roofed Western-style mansions, Western-style gatehouses, Gothic-style churches with stained glass windows, and sculptures of angels. Each construction makes up a scenic spot on the Lane.

Address: Dongjiaomin Lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Shichahai - Bell and Drum Towers

In the peak of summer, the Shichahai Area is adorned with lotus leaves while green willows brush against the embankments there. Strolling along the edge of the lake, you will find small courtyards and blue-bricked, gray-tiled houses, with the occasional hand-pulled tricycles passing by, creating a tranquil yet vibrant atmosphere.

Besides the natural scenery, the Shichahai Area is also home to many former residences of famous figures of China.

Address: No. 49 Di'anmen West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Coming out from the east side of Shichahai, you will arrive at Wanning Bridge. Standing at the intersection of Beijing's Central Axis and the Jade River (also known as the "Yu River") section of the Grand Canal for over 700 years, Wanning Bridge has served as a crucial transportation hub between the northern and southern parts of China since its construction during the Yuan Dynasty.

Passing over Wanning Bridge, you will arrive at Di'anmen Outer Street, from where you can head for the Bell Tower and Drum Tower by going northwards. These two ancient "time-announcing buildings" have been facing one another for centuries. Climbing up the Drum Tower, you can look over the nearby hutongs and gaze at the distant Jingshan Park, to feel the ambiance of Beijing through ancient architecture.

Address: No. Linzi 9, Zhonglouwan Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Guozijian Street - Wudaoying Hutong

Beijing's Guozijian Street stretches 669 meters, starting from Yonghegong Street on the east and ending at Andingmen Inner Street on the west.

Guozijian Street combines the quaint and solemn charm of an old city with the tranquility and ease of hutongs. With its elegant surroundings, and rich historical and cultural heritage, it has evolved into a unique cultural scenic area in Beijing.

Address: Guozijian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Wudaoying Hutong extends westwards all the way to Andingmen Inner Street. Looking east from there, you can see the red walls of Yonghegong (Yonghe Lamasery). Wudaoying Hutong has become home to many interesting shops, including exquisitely decorated cafés and restaurants, which are integrated beautifully with the traditional elements of the ancient Beijing, such as gray tiles, red doors, bicycles leaning against stone blocks supporting the pivots of doors, birdcages, and pigeon whistles. This is a hutong where traditional charm combines with a modern, artistic atmosphere.

Address: Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Source: WeChat Official Account "Wenlv Beijing"