With a history of more than 740 years, Nanluoguxiang is one of the capital's oldest hutongs. The Nanluoguxiang area is characterized by narrow hutongs (lanes), brick houses, wooden steles, stone gate piers; stories abound with nearly every one of them. History is encountered with every step; yet it's also a quaint place, packed with bars, cafes, restaurants and shops selling souvenirs and traditional crafts. Heavily oriented towards tourism, Nanluoguxiang is visited by the young and old, from China or from overseas even locals. TV programs get shot there, and stories about it are later publicized in the media, making it one of Beijing's most popular tourist destinations.

Address: Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng district

Traffic: Bus Nos 107 or 124

Known locally as the Dirt Market (or Sunday Market), this is the place for antiques, arts and crafts and old-style furniture. A fascinating once-in-a-lifetime shopping opportunity, and don't forget to haggle!

Authentic, dusty, filled with curios, humorous local characters and people from everywhere in the country, bustle and noise! Keep a close watch on your personal belongings, as it can get over-crowded.

Address: No 18 Huaweili, Panjiayuan Lu, Chaoyang district

Traffic: Bus Nos 34, 36, 368 or 800

Liulichang Culture Street, a Cluster of Books, Antiquities, Calligraphic Works and Paintings

Liulichang Culture Street has a history of more than 700 years. Liulichang has long been a cluster of time-honored shops such as the Rongbaozhai and Cathay Bookshop. After several renovations, the area has retained its classic style, while becoming a favorite for locals and foreign visitors in search of books, paintings, antiquities and stationery, especially the "four treasures of the study" and traditional Chinese artwork.

Rongbaozhai, known as the "home of painters and calligraphers,” is an artists’ paradise for anyone engaging in the practice of traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. Ancient books are available in the Cathay Bookshop.

Address: Hepingmenwai, Xicheng district

Traffic: Bus Nos 7, 14 or 15

Yandai Xiejie (Pipe-Stem lane), A Place for Experiencing Pop Culture

One end of Yandai Xiejie is located about half a block south of the Bell Tower on Beijing's Central Axis on the west side of Dian'anmenwai Dajie. It's one of the oldest streets in the city where some streets date back to the Yuan Dynasty.

Many antique and jade shops were once located here; today there are small bars, large and small restaurants, souvenir, painting and calligraphy shops, along with clothing stores.

Yandai Xiejie is China's historical and cultural street. It was a well-known business street in ancient times. Since the street was famous for tobacco-related products and pipes, this was how the street got its name. Yet, smoking products were just one product line found along the street in its rich past.

Address: Yandai Xiejie, Xicheng district

Traffic: Bus Nos 5, 60,107 or 124