The best way to get there is by cab. Just tell the driver to take  you to the north gate of Beihai Park - or Beihai gong yuan in  Chinese.    

Modern night life in a traditional Chinese courtyard makes the street a favorite for foreigners in Beijing. It's also a great place for a little shopping.

We recommend a stroll down Xieyandai Street.    

The 200-meter-long alley is lit by palace lanterns glowing above the steps of the small shops.

The establishments here mainly win the hearts of shoppers for their collection of designed stationery, jewellery,stylish clothing and accessories, which shop owners have gathered in their journeys to such areas as China's southern Yunnan province, Tibet, India and Nepal.

Its highly possible that what you pick up here will not be found anywhere else in the world.    

Nanluoguxiang, South Gong and Drum Lane   

The history of this 800 meter-long, south-north lane, which is just a block east of Shishahai, can be traced back to the Yuan  Dynasty.    

It is up to you to push open the wooden doors to the shops and discover fine silk shawls and various handicrafts designed by local artists.

Like some of its counterparts in Beijing, Nanluoguxiang is also featured by its fusion of the modern and old, East and West.

Among the popular shops is the t-shirt store Plastered. Its British owner has Chinese characters of the famous  Beijing dish gong bao ji ding, or kung pao chicken, printed on  white t-shirts and it sells well.