Summary
The Goldfish Hutong is a street in Beijing that combines the functions of sightseeing, entertainment, refreshment, and culture. Hutong means narrow street in Beijing. Many of Beijing’s old narrow residential streets are being preserved from development. The Goldfish Hutong is one of them, but it is now a modern shopping area with tall hotels. It is near other Hutongs with different emphases and shops. The Goldfish Hutong is set up to be a tourist attraction. It has a theater and restaurants. It is a place to be entertained, eat, and shop.
Overview
Goldfish Hutong 金鱼胡同 is located in the Dong Cheng District of Beijing. It is 567 meters long with the Dong Dan Bei Street on the east and Wang Fu Jing Street on the west. It is close to two other streets called Xiao Wei Hutong on the south and Xi Tang Zi Hutong on the north. Goldfish Hutong is situated at Dong Hua Gate of Dong Cheng District. That is near where Beijing’s major attractions such as the Temple of Heaven and the Place Museum are located. It was once a commoner’s street during the Qing era, but it has been turned into a shopping street, and some of it is preserved from destruction by modern construction. Today's Goldfish Hutong is fairly wide. It is lined with high-rise hotels such as Peace Hotel and Peninsula Palace Hotel. On the street, there are special places to eat and shop and a theater called the Ji Xiang Opera.
Ji Xiang Opera
This small old theater was first built in 1906 at the end of the Qing Dynasty era. It is said that it was built by a eunuch to be a tea house and theater. It now shows films during the day. There is some small theater or entertainment.
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Dong An Market and Tian Yuan Pickle Shop
The market is south of the hutong. At the Tian Yuan Pickle Shop you can buy pickles. Pickles were important in the diet of Beijingers, and older residents still love to eat them as part of their meals. There are many different kinds and flavors of pickles to choose from. There is a roof under which people take shelter during a storm.
Street Snacks
At Dong An Men Dajie to the west of Jinyu Hutong, you can try the “street food.” These are sold by the people at small stands and shops. There is a variety of cooked meats you can try such as cooked lamb or cooked seafood. This is a chance to try food you might not be able to find in other places. The candied fruit is a local snack.
Nearby Attractions
The Goldfish Hutong is right at the center of Beijing. It is near Beijing’s most famous highlights. The Palace Museum and the Beihai Park are about 2 kilometers west, and the Heavenly Temple and the Museum of Natural History are about 4 kilometers south.
Around it on the street, other attractions include the Dong An Market, Wan Fu Restaurant, He Ping Hotel, and Taiwan Hotel. You might also want to shop at the Gold and Silver Hutong.
China Highlights can help you customize a tour to visit Beijing Goldfish Hutong and other highlights in Beijing.
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Transportation
Important Information
Best time to visit: For optimal climate, September and October are good months to visit Beijing.
Open: 24 hours.
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- Buses: 106, 108, 110, 111, 116, 204, 614 684, or 685 to Mishi Street
- Subway: Line 5 to Dengshikou, Exit C
