Beijing Food Streets: Ultimate Guide to Dashilar & Guijie Ghost Street
Beijing Food Streets: Tradition Meets Nightlife in Beijing’s Food Streets
When it comes to Beijing’s culinary map, two names stand out: Dashilar Food Street and Guijie Ghost Street. Dashilar, with over 580 years of commercial history, is the beating heart of old Beijing, home to Chinese time-honored brands, traditional snacks, and heritage crafts. Guijie, meanwhile, comes alive at night as Beijing’s most famous night food street, buzzing with neon lights, spicy flavors, and 24-hour eateries.
Together, they form Beijing’s culinary dual-core: one rooted in heritage, the other glowing with nightlife energy. This guide will take you through both, from classic roast duck to late-night spicy crawfish.
I. Dashilar Food Street: The Living Museum of Old Beijing
Keywords: Beijing traditional food street, Chinese time-honored brands, Xianyukou snacks
1. Location & How to Get There
- Where: Just west of Qianmen Street. Old saying goes: “Qianmen for theater, Dashilar for shopping, Xianyukou for eating.”
- Subway: Line 2/8 to Qianmen Station (Exit C), 3-min walk. Or Line 7 to Zhushikou Station (Exit A), 5-min walk.
- Bus: Routes 2, 5, 20 to Dashilar Station, or Express Bus 1 to Qianmen Station.
2. Must-Try Foods & Heritage Brands
| Name | Specialty | Avg. Cost | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruifuxiang | Silk fabrics, Pan Kou embroidery bags | ¥200–500 | Beijing’s silk legend, favored by royalty. |
| Neiliansheng | Layered-sole cloth shoes | ¥300–800 | Handmade shoes once worn by Lu Xun. |
| Tongrentang | Herbal teas, Ejiao snacks | ¥50–200 | 350-year-old pharmacy with edible remedies. |
| Bian Yi Fang (Xianyukou) | Muffled-oven Roast Duck | ¥120–180 | Older than Quanjude, with crispy skin & soup refills. |
| Tianxingju (Xianyukou) | Chaogan (stir-fried liver) & pork buns | ¥25 | A breakfast classic endorsed by Emperor Qianlong. |
3. Cultural Experience & Hidden Gems
- Walk Route: Start at Ruifuxiang & Neiliansheng, then move to Xianyukou Street for snacks.
- Evening Magic: Neon-lit Dashilar retro streetscape, plus fish-shaped lanterns in Xianyukou = perfect Instagram shot.
- Food Tip: Don’t miss Chaogan with steamed buns—it’s an authentic taste of old Beijing mornings.
II. Guijie Ghost Street: Beijing’s Spicy Nightlife Food Street
Keywords: Guijie food street, Beijing night food street, spicy crawfish
1. Location & How to Get There
- Where: Dongzhimen Inner Street, a 1.5 km stretch from Dongzhimen Bridge to Beixinqiao.
- Subway: Line 2 to Dongzhimen Station (Exit C, 10-min walk) or Line 5 to Beixinqiao Station (Exit D, 5-min walk).
- Night Bus: Routes 10 & 20 stop at Dongzhimen Inner Station, ideal for late returns.
2. Must-Try Night Eats
| Restaurant | Specialty | Avg. Cost | Why It’s Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huda | Spicy Crawfish + cold beer | ¥120–180 | Crawfish king of Guijie; packed till 2 AM. |
| Huajia Yiyuan | Roast duck + Zha Jiang Mian | ¥150–200 | Courtyard dining in a classic siheyuan. |
| Beixinqiao Luzhu Old Store | Luzhu Huoshao (braised pork offal & dough) | ¥35 | A “dark cuisine” loved by locals, paired with Beibingyang soda. |
| Guiwei Wings | Spicy Ghost Wings | ¥50 | Beijing’s spiciest chicken wings—if you dare! |
| Yaoji Chaogan (near Gulou) | Chaogan & buns | ¥25 | Famous hutong eatery tied to old Beijing sayings. |
3. Experience the Buzz
- Route: Hop from Huda for crawfish to Huajia Yiyuan for siheyuan dining, then sample Luzhu or wings.
- Photo Op: Neon signs, red lanterns, smoky street grills—Guijie is Beijing’s most photogenic night food street.
- Traveler Tip: Restaurants stay open past midnight—perfect for late-night foodies.
If you want to expand your food journey beyond Dashilar and Guijie, make sure to explore another pair of iconic hutongs filled with street snacks and culture. Check out our full guide here: Beijing Local Food Trails: Explore the Century-Old Hutongs of Nanluoguxiang & Yandai Xiejie.
III. Foodie Itinerary: From Daytime Heritage to Midnight Spice
- Afternoon/Evening: Explore Dashilar food street → shop for souvenirs → try roast duck or Chaogan at Xianyukou.
- Late Night: Head east to Guijie Ghost Street, dive into spicy crawfish, wings, and midnight feasts.
- Best Combo: Dashilar shows you Beijing’s history, Guijie shows you its modern fire. Together, they complete your Beijing food street journey.
IV. Tips for Travelers
- Best Time: Dashilar = day/evening. Guijie = late night.
- Payments: Dashilar old shops may prefer cash. Guijie = WeChat/Alipay friendly.
- Shoes: Dashilar has uneven pavements—wear sneakers.
- Food Strategy: Order small portions first; Luzhu & Chaogan may be strong for beginners.
Conclusion: Taste Beijing’s Culinary Soul
Dashilar and Guijie aren’t just streets—they’re two sides of Beijing’s food story. One is steeped in tradition, where century-old shops and muffled-oven roast duck whisper tales of emperors. The other is a glowing night market, where spicy crawfish, neon lights, and laughter last until dawn.
If you want to truly experience Beijing food streets, make sure to savor both worlds—heritage by day, spice by night. 🍜🔥🏮
