There is a saying, "First there was Shichahai, then there was Beijing." After the fall of the Jin Dynasty, the capital city of the Jin Dynasty, located southwest of present-day Beijing, was in ruins. It was Kublai Khan who chose Shichahai as the central location to build the new "Beijing" for the Yuan Dynasty.

The labyrinth of hutongs surrounding Shichahai encapsulates the local customs and traditions of old Beijing, connecting its past, present, and future. The TV drama "Where Dreams Begin" chose Shichahai as the main storytelling location, depicting the growth and fate of Beijing's youth in the 1970s. With the popularity of the TV drama, more people are visiting Shichahai and its surrounding areas, either to trace the footsteps of the characters like Xiao Chunsheng or to embark on a nostalgic journey to experience the charm of old Beijing.

Shichahai Ice Rink

Ice skating on Shichahai during winter is a childhood memory for many native Beijingers. As a TV drama that revisits the youthful years of Beijing in the 1970s, "Where Dreams Begin" revolves around a group of young people who meet and interact on the Shichahai Ice Rink.

The Shichahai Ice Rink has two sections, Qianhai and Houhai, with a total area of 160,000 square meters. The Qianhai area and the eastern part of Houhai offer various entertainment facilities such as individual ice carts, tandem ice carts, and ice bicycles. The western part of Houhai is dedicated to speed skating and provides ice skates for visitors. Whether you are an experienced skater or a beginner, you can experience the authentic "Beijing winter" here!

Address: Shichahai Park, Di'anmen Outer Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Bell and Drum Towers

As prominent landmarks frequently seen in this TV drama, the Bell and Drum Towers (the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower) on Di'anmenwai Street echo each other. The Bell and Drum Towers, located on the northern end of Beijing's central axis, have been the timekeeping centers during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. They are known as "time buildings."

When you come out of Shichahai Station on Line 8 of the subway, you can see the Drum Tower not far away.

There are also many nostalgic food spots near the Drum Tower. The Zhao Fu Street Grocery Store at Zhao Fu Street has gained fame many years ago. Established in 1956, this state-owned grocery store still retains its nostalgic decor, including large jars of soybean paste, pickled vegetables, dark brown wooden counters, and old-style scales, which bring people's memories back to the past.

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

Nanluogu Xiang

Nanluogu Xiang, located in the Xicheng District to the east of Beijing's central axis, stretches from Gulou East Street in the north to Ping'an Avenue in the south. It is 8 meters wide and has a total length of 787 meters. Built during the same period as the Yuan Dynasty's capital, it is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Beijing, with a history of over 740 years.

Nanluogu Xiang is the only well-preserved chessboard-style traditional residential area from the Yuan Dynasty, with the largest scale, highest grade, and richest resources. It exudes the rich charm of old Beijing.

The Nanluogu Xiang area is home to numerous food stalls and shops. The distinctive food spots featured in the TV drama, such as Yaoji Chaogan (Fried Liver) and Fangzhuan Factory Zha Jiang Mian (Fried Sauce Noodles), can all be found here, allowing visitors to indulge in a culinary feast.

Nanluogu Xiang was also a gathering place for high-ranking officials and cultural celebrities. Prominent figures such as Hong Chengchou and Sengge Rinchen from the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, as well as Jin Yunpeng, the Beiyang warlord, Qi Baishi, the master painter, and Mao Dun, the literary giant of modern times, were all residents of this area.

Address: Nanluogu Xiang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Beiluogu Xiang

When talking about old Beijing, besides Nanluogu Xiang, you should also know about Beiluogu Xiang. Several small hutongs extend on both sides of Nanluogu Xiang, collectively forming one of the oldest neighborhoods in Beijing. Beiluogu Xiang is slightly longer, spanning over 800 meters, while Nanluogu Xiang is around 700 meters long, making the combined length approximately 1.5 kilometers.

Beiluogu Xiang is located in Beijing and was originally part of the Xianghuang Banner during the Qing Dynasty. It is named Beiluogu Xiang, which has two different explanations. One theory states that it was named after a commoner's street called Luoguo Alley, which means "drum and gong alley" in Chinese. Another theory suggests that the name originated from the abundance of shops selling drums and gongs in this area, which is located north of Gulou East Street. The name Beiluogu Xiang has been used since the Republican era.

Beiluogu Xiang stretches from Andingmen West Street in the north to Gulou East Street in the south, with only one street separating it from Nanluogu Xiang. In comparison to the well-known Nanluogu Xiang, Beiluogu Xiang features more courtyards with walls made of blue bricks, tightly closed gates, abandoned bicycles, and flower stands adorned with various flowers. It is a place more suitable for people who enjoy tranquility and leisurely strolls.

Address: Andingmen Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Yandai Xiejie (Pipe Stem Lane)

Yandai Xiejie, located in the Shichahai area, is a "China Historical and Cultural Famous Street." It is less than 300 meters long but encapsulates the folk customs and diverse scenes of old Beijing's hutongs (narrow alleys).

There are different explanations for the origin of the name Yandai Xiejie. One theory suggests that after the Manchu Qing Dynasty came to power, many Manchu people developed a fondness for smoking dry or water pipes. As the demand for tobacco and pipes increased, numerous tobacco and pipe shops opened along this diagonal street, gradually forming the city's tobacco and pipe hub. Another theory is that the shape of the street resembles a tobacco pipe. The eastern entrance resembles the mouthpiece, while the western entrance bends southward, leading to Yinding Bridge, resembling the shape of a tobacco pipe bowl. Over time, the street's unique shape and the presence of pipe shops led to it being named Yandai Xiejie.

In the past, there was an old saying in Beijing: "Dongdan, Xisi, Gulouqian," referring to the three major commercial areas in the city. "Gulouqian" specifically referred to the bustling Gulouqian Street, including the area where Yandai Xiejie is located. Yandai Xiejie has undergone different stages of development, starting from its early days as a hub for tobacco and pipes, later evolving into a center for selling framed calligraphy and paintings, antique jade, and gradually transforming into the present-day street known for its delicious food, snacks, and distinctive cultural and creative crafts.

Address: East side of Shichahai Park, Di'anmen Outer Street, Xicheng District, Beijing.