Nanluoguxiang

One of the best-preserved lane districts of the old city, a spine of narrow hutong running between two avenues and flanked by a comb of smaller alleys. The area retains the grid of grey-walled courtyard houses laid out in the Yuan dynasty, some once home to officials and artists. The main lane has filled with cafes, boutiques, and snack stalls, while quieter side alleys keep their residential calm and traditional gateways. Walking or cycling the district gives a close-up sense of Beijing's courtyard neighborhoods.