Today, we visit Beijing's Nanluoguxiang for a walk through its historic lanes.北京出差时我去了南锣鼓巷，漫步其中历史街区。

Beijing's Nanluoguxiang: One Alley, Half of Beijing's History

Nanluoguxiang: The 740-Year-Old Heartbeat of Beijing
Discover the soul of Beijing in one incredible alleyway.
Welcome to Nanluoguxiang. At 787 meters long, this isn't just any street—it's a living timeline. Built during the Yuan Dynasty over 740 years ago, it's one of the oldest and best-preserved neighborhoods in all of Beijing.

The "Centipede" of the Ancient City
From above, the layout is unmistakable: a central alley acts as the spine, with eight traditional lanes—known as hutongs—branching off neatly on each side, creating a pattern that earned it the old nickname "Centipede Alley." This is the last place in China where you can still experience the original urban plan of the ancient capital.

Where History Lives and Breathes
For centuries, this was the address for the rich and powerful. Ming generals, Qing royalty, and legendary artists like Qi Baishi once called these hutongs home. Walk down Mao'er Hutong and you'll find the former residence of China's Last Empress. Each weathered courtyard door hides a story of empire, art, and revolution.

A Living, Evolving Neighborhood
Today, the past and present collide in the most fascinating ways. The scent of traditional Beijing noodles mixes with the aroma of artisan coffee. Ancient siheyuan (courtyard homes) now host trendy boutiques and quiet cafes. It’s not a frozen museum, but a vibrant, breathing community.

This is the real Beijing.
It’s the sound of erhu music from a quiet courtyard, the buzz of modern life, and 740 years of history, all waiting for you in a single alley.

Watch now, and walk through the story of Beijing itself.

【北京南锣鼓巷：一条胡同，半部京史】
穿越740年时光，走进北京城的活态记忆
在南锣鼓巷，脚下的每一块青砖，都回响着元大都以来的历史足音。
这条全长787米、宽8米的巷子，与北京城的前身——元大都同期建成，是北京最古老的街区之一。它完整保留了元代“里坊制”的城市肌理，是国内唯一完整保存着元代胡同院落肌理、规模最大、品级最高的棋盘式传统民居区。

“蜈蚣街”的格局密码
俯瞰南锣鼓巷，您会发现一个精妙的城市布局：主巷为轴，东西两侧各整齐排列着8条胡同，形同“蜈蚣”，因此它早先也得名“蜈蚣巷”。在元大都“左祖右社，面朝后市”的城市规划蓝图中，南锣鼓巷正是“后市”的组成部分，承载着古老的商业功能。

从“罗锅巷”到“南锣鼓巷”
它的故事几经变迁：因其地势中间高、南北低，如一驼背人，初名“罗锅巷”。直到清乾隆十五年（1750年）绘制的《京城全图》上，才被“雅化”为今天我们熟知的“南锣鼓巷”。

官宦富贾的聚居地
明清以来，这里一直是名副其实的“富贵之地”。从明朝的将军到清朝的王爷，从北洋政府总统到文学巨匠，无数达官显贵与社会名流在此定居。雨儿胡同里的齐白石旧居，帽儿胡同内的末代皇后婉容故居，后圆恩寺胡同的茅盾故居……每一条胡同，每一座宅院，都藏着一段风云往事。

古今交融的城市切片
如今的南锣鼓巷，在历史与潮流的碰撞中焕发新生。您依然可以在青砖灰瓦间寻找古老的京味记忆，也能在创意店铺里感受现代的脉搏。它就像一座活着的北京民居博物馆，静静地诉说着古都的过去与现在。

点击观看，走进南锣鼓巷——
在蜈蚣街的脉络里，探寻元大都的城市密码；在名人故居的故事中，翻阅半部鲜活的北京史。