Designated by the Ministry of Culture and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage last year as the capital's second "China's Famous Historical and Cultural Street" (after Guozijian near the Lama Temple), Yandaixie Street has undergone change and renovations, but still retains some of its old appeal, and have stayed a little closer to their historical roots.

Yandaixie Street rose to prominence during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1911) as the place to buy tobacco. Originally named Guo Lou Xie Street, the shopping street earned its new name, meaning "Tobacco Pouch" Street not only for its products, but also its shape.

Yandaixie Street serves as a convenient and attractive connection for visitors walking between the old drum and bell towers and Houhai. The street's atmosphere is refreshingly low-key, an escape from the other shops and restaurant-bars around Houhai with the fanatical souvenir hawking and bar staff trying to lure visitors.

At this world famous landmark in the Gulou area you'll find Chinese antiques, traditional arts and crafts, fashionable clothes, Tibetan accessories as well as traditional Beijing traditional snacks. All this packed into just 300 meters of street.

Address: Yandaixiejie, xicheng district.

Directions: by bus: Take number 107, 124, 60, 5 to get off at the Gulou station.