Yandai Xiejie ( Tobacco Pipe Lean Street ), a quaint 800-year-old hutong located directly north of Yinding Bridge between Qianhai and Houhai in the Shichahai area and the south of the Drum Tower, used to be well-known for sellers of long-stemmed pipes, hence the name. Now, it is a street lined with numerous antique stores and trendy bars. Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street (Yandai Xiejie) is one of the oldest hutongs in Beijing. Located in the Xicheng District, it is close to the Shichahai and Houhai which are famous attractions in Beijing. Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street is 232 meters (253 yards) long with its east end on the Di'anmen Street and the west to the Silver Ingot Bridge. Stepping into the street for about 50 meters, one would come to the south end of the Dashibei Hutong, which goes to the Drum Tower West Avenue (Gulou Xidajie). Passing over the Silver Ingot Bridge one can reach the Shichahai Bar Street.

According to a book that was published during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the street was initially named Drum Tower Xiejie and was named Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street at the end of Qing Dynasty. It is recorded that there were many smoking pipe stores on the street in the Qing Dynasty, among which there was one named Shuangshengtai. The store owner put a 1.5-meter-high (5-feet-high) wooden smoking pipe in front of the store as a sign. As time went by, the street was known by the whole city for its giant smoking pipe, hence its name. Some people also say that the street looks like a smoking pipe.

After the 1911 Revolution, the Qing Royal Family was overthrown, the banners (Manchurians that were fed by the Qing government) lost their incomes and many of them had to sell their properties, such as antiques, to make a living. Gradually many antique markets were formed in Beijing, among which Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street was a large one. But after 1949, the antique trading on this street gradually declined. This old alley lost its commercial position in the 1950s and many buildings were changed to residential buildings, including the Taoism Temple--Guangfu Guan. In 2007, the street was redeveloped to recover its historical features. Guangfu Guan has become a tourist site and many reproductions of classic architecture were built on the street. In the buildings are stores of Indian clothes, Miao costumes and accessories, Tibet costumes, Lijiang crafts, Shaanxi pottery, badges and quotations of Chairman Mao, etc. If you want to experience Chinese commercial culture, the best way would be to buy some souvenirs and bargain with the shopkeepers.

Besides these featured stores, there are also many restaurants on the street. Here you can go to traditional Chinese restaurants--roasted lamb of Master Ji, stewed pork liver (a traditional Beijing snack) of Master Yao, the Meiyuan Dairy, baked wheaten cake with donkey meat of Mr. Wang and wonton of Master Hou. Having tried the local snacks, one can go to the restaurants that provide delicacies of other regions. The Xingfumanman (Full of Happiness) Restaurant serves Taiwan snacks, such as Oyster Starch Pancake, roasted sausage, round pastry, etc. The Thai Restaurant and Ou Restaurant purvey Thai food. The Moon in the Lake Café features Korean food and there are also many western restaurants on the street.

There are more than 20 cafés and bars with different styles on the street, among which there is the Night of Yinding, the largest café in the Shichahai area. And others like the Red Mansion, the Sea Bar, the Show Place Café, the Wenshi Café, etc. One can have a cup of coffee when tired and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Houhai Lake. Tasting the delicacies of traditional Beijing style and those of other places, shopping in the widely varying stores, one would best experience the uniqueness of Beijing.

Runs from Di'anmenwai Dajie to Xiaoshibei Hutong and connects to Ya'er Hutong. The street is shaped like a tobacco pipe, with the east entrance like the mouthpiece, and the west entrance like the bowl, and the long, narrow street between them like the pipe's stem. Its many small, charming shops make it a favorite of expats and tourists. One of Beijing's old hutong areas is located next to the Houhai lake. This is where you'll find the picturesque side street Yandai Xiejie. Yandai is the name of a Chinese pipe that was traditionally sold on this street. The street is not very long, and not the right choice of destination if you are on the hunt for the latest fashion clothes. On the other hand, you will find small quantities of strange stuff like art, Mao kitsch, traditional Chinese clothing, jewellery, silk items, tea and teapots and a small selection of funkier designer clothes. One of the city's really good chocolate shops are also situated on this street – but don't expect their prices to be Chinesely low. Some of the salespeople speak English a bit, and in a few of the shops you can, and should, bargain. The street is a chance to experience Chinese hutongs as well as a shopping street, and while you are there you should take the opportunity to visit Houhai Lake.