After the craze of "military-style" travel, many tourists have started to return to a more leisurely travel mode, with "citywalk" as a representative of the new type of travel that is increasingly popular. Embark on a citywalk in Beijing and don't miss these artistic and charming streets.
Yangmeizhu Street
Yangmeizhu Street is located in Dazhalan Street, Xicheng District. It gradually formed since the construction of Beijing in the Yuan Dynasty and stretches from Meishi Street in the east to Yanshou Street in the west. This hutong has experienced ups and downs during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. Although it now gathers various cultural and creative shops, it is not difficult to find that the elegance of the past still lingers in its essence.
The current Yangmeizhu Street incorporates new cultural elements while preserving tradition. It is home to shops such as the Old Beijing’s Lord Rabbit, Suzuki Cafeteria, Xiejie No. 8 Cafe, Norman Grocery Store, and Song Calligraphy and Painting. With the emergence of unique and characteristic shops one after another, the artistic atmosphere of the entire street has gradually become stronger, attracting many tourists visit and take photos.
On Yangmeizhu Street, besides finding non-heritage inheritance stores like "Old Beijing’s Lord Rabbit", you can also discover some unique attitudes towards life of the people in old Beijing and find some old items in this shop.
Stepping into the store feels like stepping into a time machine, colliding with memories of the past. The store not large, but it is filled with a plethora of small trinkets, all which are old items collected by the shop owner from customers. From cassette tapes, snuff bottles, and game consoles to bird cages, radios, and televisions... You can come here in your leisure time and experience a slow-paced lifestyle.
Address: Yangmeizhu Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
Beijing Fun
Coming out of the east entrance Yangmeizhu Street and walking north, you will arrive at Beijing Fun. The overall architectural style here continues the characteristics of the Republican era. Coffee, wine, tea, books, fragrances... Numerous artistic elements are scattered among the quaint buildings. Here, history and modernity coexist, and traditional Chinese culture and foreign cultures blend together.
PAGEONE Beijing Fun Store is one of the popular bookstores in Beijing. The bookstore has floor-to-ceiling windows and a scenic terrace. On the second floor of the bookstore, you can see attractions such as Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower and Qianmen Pedestrian Street through the glass windows. When the weather is good, you can even see the Palace Museum and the distant Beihai White Pagoda.
At the west entrance of the Beijing Fun district, you will find MUJI HOETEL BEIJING. As soon you enter this street, you will see the prominent MUJI sign. The hotel is only 800 meters away from Tiananmen Square and faces Chairman Mao Memorial Hall across the sky... It has an excellent location. As soon as you enter, you can see many familiar MUJI elements: aroma diffusers, desk lamps... The overall design of the hotel follows the concept "anti-luxury, anti-shabby" and focuses on creating a scene. It continues the minimalist, fashionable, and cool style of MUJI. The hotel has four floors, with the first floor being a leisure area with a reading area and a dining bar. There is a rich collection of books, mostly related to design and humanities, and a display counter showcasing Chinese cultural items. The fourth floor houses the standard MUJI Diner restaurant, which offers nutritious cuisine from around the world. It is bound to become a new landmark for foodies to check-in in no time.
Address: No. 17 Langfang Toutiao Alley, Meishi Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
Translator: TANG Yingqi
