South Gong and Drum Lane (Nanluoguxiang)

The south-north lane, about 800 meters (0.5 miles) long and quite narrow in places, is about a block east of Houhai, and is said to have been established more than 700 years ago. Many restaurants here are hidden in small and quiet traditional courtyards (siheyuan), offering a good experience of life in old Peking on idle Sunday afternoons. However, the cuisines offered are new, and you can sample a selection of East-West fusion foods, such as Kung Pao Chicken pizza. There is also an authentic Chinese yoghurt sweet shop. Many restaurants here have English and even French menus, catering to visitors who like to browse the lanes quirky shops.