Beijing's great foodie walking tours: Gulou

Hit the street to discover Beijing's best food

Gulou is full of trendy restaurants, bars and nightspots so it's no surprise that our foodies walking tour of the area is made for 24-hour party people. 

How to start

3pm Start your day the traditional Beijing way with a traditional yoghurt and shaobing (baked bread) on Yonghegong Dajie. The shopfront at number 153 sells classic ceramic pots of slightly sweetened suannai (5RMB), while the laoban Jin Yun Shao Bing (145 Yonghegong Daijie) whips up steaming fresh breads in his street side tandoor-like clay oven, with a range of fillings (from 6RMB).

4pm Warmed for a stroll, head north a few blocks to Wudaoying Hutong. Our favourite caffeine stop is Barista, the OG of Beijing coffee that knows its long black from its macchiato.

5pm It wouldn’t be a foodie tour without a jianbing. For what could well be the best jianbing in the Jing (if not the most traditional), walk over to Pancooker on Andingmen Nei Daijie, where you’ll get a crispier and less greasy cake than your average, and they can even add cheese if you’re into that (and bacon!).

6pm For dinner, stroll south to the Drum and Bell Towers, where you’ll find Hani Gejiu. This scruffy, homely Yunnan joint is exceedingly pleasant and is tucked away from the hubbub of Gulou proper. All the Yunnan classics can be found here, as well as local hotpot.

8pm It’s drinks o'clock, and although Gulou isn't quite what it used to be in terms of merriment and mirth, there are still a few watering holes and plenty of good times to be had. Nina, on Beiluoguxiang, pours ridiculously cheap Italian drinks. The aperitivi are excellent as well, if you're still somehow hungry.

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