'''Xuanwu''' (______ ''Xu?nw? Q?'') is in Beijing covering the south western part of the central city area until just beyond ring two to the west and until ring two to the south. The district is 16.5 km2 and home to above half a million people. The district is located outside the Imperial Inner City and was predominantly reserved for the lower class. The District has been undergoing rapid changes with many ancient Hutong being wiped away.
Get in
The south western part of metro line 2 borders the district to the north and the new metro line 4 under construction will run through. From the central station the District is reached by taking metro line 2 clockwise. From the Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square it is just a short walk to south west.
See
Parks
Taoranting Park. __R____? Taoranting G?ngyuan. 9 Taiping Jie (_____X19__; Taipingji?). orth of the Beijing Southern Railway Station, bus routes: 40, 59, 819, 102, 122, 106, 20. 86 10 6353 2385. AM - 9:30 PM. 2. A former hangout for literati, while most other Beijing parks were for imperial families only. The park has a total area of 240,000 m2 with water area accounting for 69,000 m2. The park is a mixture of ancient construction styles and modern park design. It was built in 1952. Taoran Pavilion (one of the four most important in Beijing) build in 1695 and some tombs are located in the park. The park has a lake with pavilions on the bank. The park also has a Mini Golf Center, a Water Wonder Land as well as Peacock, China Rose, and Deer Gardens.
Grand View Garden. _??; Dagu?nyuan. outh Caiyuan Street (____?_X12__; Nancaiyuanji?). n the south west corner of Xuanwu District. 86 10 6354 4994. ttp://www.bjdgy.com/. :30 AM - 5 PM. 40. Garden established in the 1980s based on the novel 'The Dream of the Red Mansions'. 125,000 m2 with temples, pavilions and other buildings as well as miniature gardens. Traditional ceremonies performed now and then. The park also has a restaurant.
Temples
Niu Street Mosque. __X___`__; Niuji?l?baisi. 8 Niu Street (___X88__; Niuji?). 86 10 6353 2564. 10. Famous Mosque build in 996 and the oldest and largest of the mosques in Beijing. Structured as a traditional Chinese palace, but also uses typical Arabic decoration with a lot of red colour. A must see if staying for more than a few days. The Muslim presence in the area is obvious with many Muslim shops and Arabic signs around.
Fayuan Temple. @____; F?yuansi. ayuansihou Street (_@_____@_X; F?yuansihouji?). etro line 2, Changchunjie Station, south along Changchun Street and Niu Jie, just west of Niu Jie. 86 10 6353 3966. AM-4PM. 5. This Buddhist temple was built in 645 and rebuilt in 1436-1449, which makes it the oldest existing in Beijing. Now, it is the site of the Chinese Buddhist Academy and the exhibition center for Buddhist cultural relics, and is also an important institution training young monks and Buddhism research. The temple covers 6,700 square meters. The main buildings are Gate of Temple, Heavenly King Hall, Main Hall, Hall of Great Compassion, Sutra Hall, and Bell and Drum Towers.
Baoguo Temple. ____; Baoguosi. aoguosi Qianjie, Guang'anmennei Dajie (____?_____X?_____O_X; Gu?ng?nmenneidaji?baoguosiqianji?). 86 10 6317 3169. AM-4:30PM. ree. Founded in 1103, various uses during the next centuries, almost forgotten after 1949, but now renovated and open to public. There is also an antique market specialised in picture books and calligraphies, including writing tools and paper.
Museums
Song Tang Zhai Museum of Traditional Chinese Folk Carving. ___?__?________?; S?ngtangzh?iminji?ndi?okebowugu?n. 4 Liulichang East Street (__?__?_X14__; Liulich?ngd?ngji?). n the eastern end of the Liulichang Shopping Street. 86 10 8316 4662. AM - 6 PM. ree. This is a small privately owned museum showing carvings in doors, furniture, other wood and stone.
Museum of Ancient Architecture. ______}____?; G?daijianzhubowugu?n. 1 Dongjing Road (??_H21__; D?ngj?nglu). 86 10 6301 7620. ttp://www.beijingmuseum.gov.cn/bjgjg/index.htm. AM - 4 PM. 15. Museum with a model of Beijing ancient city as well as exhibits of Beijing's ancient architecture.
Museum of Ancient Pottery Civilization. ___________?; G?taowenmingbowugu?n. 2 South Caiyuan West Street (____?___X12__; Nancaiyuanx?ji?). 86 10 6353 8884. u-Su 10 AM - 5 PM. 20. Shows the Chinese history of pottery from Neolithic Age to now.
Do
Huguang Huiguan Theatre. _____?; Hugu?nghuigu?n. Hufang Street (___V_H3__; H?f?nglu). etro station Heping Men exit D1, ten minutes walk south; or take bus 102 or 105. 86 10 6351 8284. ttp://www.beijinghuguang.com. aily 7:30-8:40 PM; museum 9 AM - 7:30 PM. 150-580; museum \10. Theatre primarily performing excerpts of traditional Chinese opera. The theatre has been working since the 1830s. The theatre building from 1830 is the oldest and best preserved indoor theatre in Beijing. It is located in area with other traditional buildings. Next to the theatre is an opera museum.
Li Yuan Theatre. _???; Liyuanjuch?ng. 75 Yong'anlu (_i___H175__; Y?ng'?nlu). 86 10 5166 4621. ttp://www.liyuantheater.cn/. :30 - 8:45 PM. 280-580. Plays from the Beijing Opera repertoire. Also exhibitions of opera costumes and other. Tea and snacks available.
Tianqiao Acrobatic Theater. V??_Z??; Ti?nqiaozajijuch?ng. 5 Tianqiao Market Street, east end of Beiwei Road (_k?_H?___V?_s?_X95__; B?iw?ilud?ngk?uti?nqiaoshich?ngji?). 86 10 6303 7449. ttp://www.tqzj.net.cn/. :30-6:30 PM and 7:15-8:40 PM. 180-380.
Tianqiao Theatre. V???; Ti?nqiaojuch?ng. eiwei Road (_k?_H30__; B?iw?ilu). 86 10 8315 6300; +86 10 5166 1145. rom 7:30 PM. 100-600. Theater with a seating capacity of 1,200 with performance of local folk music and dance, talk shows, and international ballet and musicals.
Buy
Qianmen Dajie Pedestrian Street. O?___X. Qianmen Dajie is one of Beijing's oldest commercial streets with a 500 year old history. Now, this street is under reconstruction to bring it back as it was in the 1920s. Furthermore, trolley cars will re-appear in the street, after being absent for 40 years. The status in March 2009 is that the street is open to the public, but only very few shops are established so far.
Dashilan. _??. etro line 2, Qianmen Station, south along Qianmen Dajie, on your right. Dashilan (and surrounding streets) is a shopping area dating back to the Ming dynasty. The name means big fences, which in earlier times were in place in both ends of the street. Everything burned down during the boxer uprising in 1900, but the area has since been reestablished as a shopping area
Daoxiangcun. j____; Daoxi?ngc?n. hubaoshi Street (_____s_X; Zh?b?oshiji?). outh from Qianmen of Qianmen Dajie, turn right just after Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant of Dashilan, right of Zhubaoshi Street and it is on your left. ain office: +86 10 8404 3305. ttp://www.daoxiangcun.com/. 16-36 for a kilo of cakes. Famous shop established in 1895. Best known for its wide selection of southern style cakes. More than 20 branches around the city.
Liubiju . _Z_K__; Liubij?). hubaoshi Street (_____s_X; Zh?b?oshiji?) . outh from Qianmen of Qianmen Dajie, turn right just after Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant of Dashilan, left of Zhubaoshi Street and it is on your right. ttp://www.liubiju.com.cn/. Famous shop established in 1530. Sells pickled vegtables.
Liulichang. _____; Liulich?ng; 'Colored Glaze Factory'. There is no production here any more, but rather antique stores, selling Chinese painting, handicrafts, and used books. The area was popular back to the Tang dynasty, but the small shops were amalgamated into state-operated units during the 1950s. It was redeveloped as a tourist area after 1979, but has failed to regain its former popularity. Nevertheless, it is picturesque and you can still find interesting things here. In the Chinese New Year, there's a 15-day folk fair here. Not far from the Hepingmen Subway Station.
Beijing Qianxiangyi Silk Store. k__?___v??___X; B?ij?ngqi?nxiangyis?choush?ngdian. 0 Dazhalan West Street (__??___X50__; Dazhalanx?ji?). 86 10 6301 6658. ttp://www.qianxiangyi.com/zhuye.htm. :30 AM - 8:30 PM. Very large silk store established in 1840. Claims to be the biggest silk professional store in China.
Tea Street. __X; Chaji?. aliandao Chayecheng (??________; M?liandaochayecheng). :30 AM - 6 PM. The street has 8 wholesale tea markets and more than 600 tea shops. Tea sets also for sale here.
Sogo. ____S?; Chonggu?ngb?ihuo. Xuanwumenwai Street (____?_O___X8__; Xu?nw?menwaidaji?). 86 10 6310 3388. ttp://sogo.junefield.com/. :30 AM - 10 PM. Shopping mall with Japanese and European shops.
Carrefour. _?__; Ji?lefu. 1 Malian Dao (??__11__; M?liandao). 86 10 6332 2155. :30 AM - 10:30 PM. French supermarket.
Eat
Budget
Lanhuahua Restaurant. _______H___ilan hu? hu? m?i shi c?n. ianqiao Hotel, No.11, Xijing Lu. xpect CNY25-50 each person. Serves Shaanxi cuisine.
Mid range
Little Sheep. ____r; Xi?ofeiyang. 3 Guang'anmennei Dajie (____?_____X43__; Gu?ng'?nmenneidaji?). orthwest corner of Caishikou (___s__) intersection. 86 10 6316 6668. ttp://www.littlesheephotpot.com/index.asp. 0 AM - 11 PM. Mongolian hot pot restaurant with branches nationwide and abroad. Richer soup and, therefore, no dipping sauce.
Splurge
Quanjude. S____ Quanjude. 2 Qianmen Dajie (_O?___X32__). ubway: Line 2 to Qianmen. Bus: 2, 120, 726, 826, 803 to Qianmen. 86 10 6510 9608. aily 11:30 AM-2:30 PM and 4:30-8 PM. ucks cost \199 each and \99 for half a duck. ttp://www.quanjude.com.cn/quanjude.htm. The oldest and most venerable of the roast duck restaurants. Quanjude is slipping these days, but its fame still brings many customers, mostly tourists eager for the classic experience. Quality varies by location. The most reputable of Quanjude's 14 branches is the listed Qianmen location, which has been rebuilt as part of the changes taking place in Qianmen Dajie. Other branches are at Hepingmen (south of the subway stop), the east side of Tian'anmen Square, and Qinghua Science Park near Wudaokou.
Bhodi-Saki . ___? . 0-16 Heiyaochang Street . North of Taoranting Park's North Gate). 3542889; 63546155 . Located just north of Taoranting Park in the south west corner of Beijing, this isolated vegetarian restaurant is situated inside a series of old courtyards that house the restaurant and a small temple.
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Jin Yang Restaurant. o.241, Zhushikou West Street. 86 10 63031669 63037636 (ext.100). Jin Yang Restaurant serves Shaanxi cuisine. Four Star Restaurant.
Drink
Lao She Teahouse. V_q__?; L?osh?chagu?n. Qianmen West Street (_O?_____X3__; Qianmenx?daji?). etro stration Qianmen or buses #5, #10, #110; #120. 86 10 6303 6830. ww.laosheteahouse.com. AM - 9 PM. Large tea house from 1988 named after the writer, Lao She. Serves tea and traditional snack. Live performance every night with acrobatics, opera and other traditional art.
Sleep
Budget
365 Inn. k___N_}___X; B?ij?ngj?nyiji?dian. 5 Dazhalan West Street (__??___X55__; Dazhalanx?ji?. 00m southwest of Qianmen Metro Station (line 2). 86 10 6308 5956. orm beds from \30, double rooms from \180. Located in the middle of the tourist area west of Qianmen Pedestrian Street. Free internet available but not in the rooms.
Changgong Hotel. 86 10 6301 5088, 6303 2665. orm beds \35, a triple room is \210. One of the cheapest places in the Qianmen Hutong. It has traditional architecture and is just next door from Far East and Leo's. May be difficult to find on a map, and best located by asking.
Beijing Far East Youth Hostel. k__???_X; B?ij?ngyu?nd?ngfandian. 0 Tieshuxie Street (??___X90__; Ti?shuxieji?). bout 10 minutes walk from Tiananmen Square. 86 10 5195 8811. ttp://www.fareastyh.com. orm beds from \35, listed rates for doubles from \220, discounted from \174. Hotel in a traditional Chinese courtyard. During summertime you should book one week in advance.
Shanglin Hostel. ___??; Shanglinb?ngu?n. 2 Shanxixiang (?___J22__; Sh?nx?xiang). km southwest of Qianmen Metro Station (line 2). 86 10 6303 4609?. iscounted rates for dorms from \35, doubles from \140, without breakfast. Located just outside the tuoristy area west of Qianmen Pedestrian Street. Aircon, internet, laundry service and bike hire available. Restaurant and bar.
Leo's Hostel. 86 10 6303 1595, 6303 3318. ttp://www.leohostel.com. orm beds \45-70, private rooms \160-200. . A good alternative to the '''Far East''' and is just around the corner. It has a Playstation 2, an internet bar, free wi-fi in the lobby and bar,and more. It is well-known for its friendly English-speaking staff and lively bar atmosphere. One down side is the noise level of the bar late at night.
Qian Men Hostel. O?_q?. 3 Meishi Street Qianmen. ocated about 500 meters south of Qianmen Metro stop on Meishi Street. 86 10 6313 2370. ttp://www.qianmenhostel.com. orm beds \60-70, private rooms \100-300. Qian Men Hostel is conveniently located within 5 minute walking distance of Tiananmen Square. It offers both private and dorm style rooms. It has a dvd room, a cafe, and bar. It also offers tours to numerous places around Beijing. Bikes can be rented for \20 a day.
Jing Yi Shi Hotel. ocated between Leo hostel and Far East Y/H. 86 10 6304 3822. ttp://www.jysbg.com. win room \150, \180, \220; internet access \10 per hour. The hotel is in traditional courtyard. The staff do not speak much English but are very friendly. There are two PCs available.
Home Inn (Beiwei Road). @_____X (_k___k?_H_X); Ruji?ji?dian (B?ij?ngb?iw?iludian). 1 Xijing Road (__?_H11__; X?j?nglu). us 59 to Beiweilu Station (_k?_H). 86 10 8315 2266. 86 10 8316 2020. ttp://www.homeinns.com/resvhomeinns/home/index.aspx. isted rates for doubles from \239, discounted from \214; breakfast \15. Small rooms with free internet. Business center and ticket office. Chinese restaurant.
Feilongge Hotel. ???_X; F?ilonggefandian. 0 Baizhifang West Street (__?_V___X10__; Baizh?f?ngx?ji?). 86 10 6351 7766. iscounted rates from \200. Rooms with aircon, coffee facilities and satellite TV. Meeting facilities, karaoke and beauty salon available. Restaurant with Sichuan and Lu cuisine.
Mid range
Rich Hotel. o. 1 A Nanxinhua Road, Xuanwu District. 86 10 63022277. prsvns@hubs1.net. ttp://www.richhotelbeijing.com. 290. 2 km from Tiananmen Square. Has 131 guestrooms, each with cable TV, bathroom amenities, and broadband Internet. Hotel amneties include a conference center, restaurant, bar, business center, concierge, and 24-hour front desk.
Guang'an Hotel. ___??; Gu?ng'?nb?ngu?n. (____?_____X321__; Gu?ng?nmenneidaji?). 86 10 8315 3388. isted rates for doubles from CNY880; discounted from CNY358, including breakfast. Rooms with internet available against a surcharge. Bar, business center, gift shop, beauty salon, karaoke and chess/poker room available. Chinese restaurant.
Splurge
Golden Sun Commercial Hotel. __F______?___X; J?nsexiarish?ngwuji?dian. 5 Xibianmennei Street (____?_____X85__; X?bianmenneidaji?). 86 10 6301 2999. isted rates for doubles from CNY888; discounted from CNY438, including breakfast. Four star hotel with rooms with free internet, aircon, mini bar, fridge, safety box and satellite TV. Conference room, billiards, table tennis, gym, night club, karaoke, chess and cards room and sauna available. Seafood restaurant.
Shenzhen Hotel. ttp://www.shenzhenhotelbeijing.com. prsvns@hubs1.net. Guang An Men Wai Street, Xuanwu District. Enjoys a prime Xuanwu District location. Business and leisure facilities including banquet halls and function rooms.
Contact