Known as Chengxian Street during the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911 AD) it was changed to Guozijian Street in 1965 but continues to retain the old  alley’s features. On both sides of the street, most of the structures are low and neatcourtyards with grey walls and tiles. The gates that are painted red together with black bricks, bird cages hanging in the trees and the courtyards, are typical of old Beijing. Locust trees grow along the roadside shading the street. Most of the residents are native to the city. By observing their lifestyle, visitors can see just what it is like to reside in the hutongs.

Guozijian Street is to the west of Yonghe Lamasery in the Dongcheng District of Beijing. It is a west-east Hutongwith its east end joining Yonghe Lamasery Street while the west end adjoins Andingmen Inner Street. The street is 2,195 feet (669 meters) in length and 36 feet (11 meters) in width. It is the only old street in the city that still has traditional arches. Guozijian Street is renowned for its old-time Beijing layout and architectures, the authentic native lifestyle, the Temple of Confucius and the Imperial Academy (Guozijian).

Besides these featured stores, there are also many restaurants along the Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street. Here you can go to traditional Chinese restaurants--roasted lamb of Master Ji, stewed pork liver (a traditional Beijing snack) of Master Yao, the Meiyuan Dairy, baked wheaten cake with donkey meat of Mr. Wang and wonton of Master Hou.

Having tried the local snacks, one can go to the restaurants that provide delicacies of other regions. The Xingfumanman (Full of Happiness) Restaurant serves Taiwan snacks, such as Oyster Starch Pancake, roasted sausage, round pastry, etc. The Thai Restaurant and Ou Restaurant purvey Thai food. The Moon in the Lake Café features Korean food and there are also many western restaurants on the street.

There are more than 20 cafés and bars with different styles on the Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street, among which there is the Night of Yinding, the largest café in the Shichahai area. And others like the Red Mansion, the Sea Bar, the Show Place Café, the Wenshi Café, etc. One can have a cup of coffee when tired and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Houhai Lake. Tasting the delicacies of traditional Beijing style and those of other places, shopping in the widely varying stores, one would best experience the uniqueness of the city.

The Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street lost its commercial position in the 1950s and many buildings were changed to residential buildings, including the Taoism Temple--Guangfu Guanm. In 2007, the street was redeveloped to recover its historical features. Guangfu Guan has become a tourist site and many reproductions of classic architecture were built on the street. In the buildings are stores of Indian clothes, Miao costumes and accessories, Tibet costumes, Lijiang crafts, Shaanxi pottery, badges and quotations of Chairman Mao, etc. If you want to experience Chinese commercial culture, the best way would be to buy some souvenirs and bargain with the shopkeepers.

After the 1911 Revolution, the Qing Royal Family was overthrown, the banners (Manchurians that were fed by the Qing government) lost their incomes and many of them had to sell their properties, such as antiques, to make a living. Gradually many antique markets were formed in Beijing, among whichSkewed Tobacco Pouch Street was a large one. But after 1949, the antique trading on this street gradually declined.

Recommended Itineraries: 
One Day Visit: Panda House - Lama Temple - Confucius Temple - Imperial Academy - Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street
Shichahai and Houhai Hutongs: to visit Shichahai, Prince Gong's Mansion and Hutongs

According to a book that was published during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street was initially named Drum Tower Xiejie and was changed into the present at the end of Qing Dynasty. It is recorded that there were many smoking pipe stores on the street in the Qing Dynasty, among which there was one named Shuangshengtai. The store owner put a 1.5-meter-high (5-feet-high) wooden smoking pipe in front of the store as a sign. As time went by, the street was known by the whole city for its giant smoking pipe, hence its name. Some people also say that the street looks like a smoking pipe.

Know as Yandai Xiejie in Chinese, the Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street is one of the oldest hutongs in Beijing. Located in the Xicheng District, it is close to the Shichahaiwhich are famous attractions in Beijing. It is 232 meters (253 yards) long with its east end on the Di'anmen Street and the west to the Silver Ingot Bridge. Stepping into the street for about 50 meters, one would come to the south end of the Dashibei Hutong, which goes to the Drum Tower West Avenue (Gulou Xidajie). Passing over the Silver Ingot Bridge one can reach the Houhai Bar Street.

Although a historic place, the culture here is full of innovation. The South Gong and Drum Lane welcomes its guests with both an old appearance and a new combined culture of China and the West. Small, specialty boutiques welcome you. Le Tian Tao She at No.23 in it is a pottery store where you can enjoy a coffee while admiring the potters at their craft. You  may even have a try and make your own piece of pottery. Many people come here for its creative culture and artistic environment. Several art studios have been established, and many movies and TV drama programs have been filmed here too.Now, there are 115 different shops. Most of the owners and managers are well educated and some of the shop assistants speak English fluently.

 If you want to see an authentic courtyard, you'd better come to the South Gong and Drum Lane because this alley remains the most complete lane of traditional courtyard dwellings in Beijing. When you come here, you can see the red lanterns hanging under the eaves. You may find a trace of ancient prosperous Beijing here. You can see the totally different styles of architecture. Compared with the grand red wall and golden colored roof of the Forbidden City, it has gray walls and roofs that represent the folk culture. As it is close to the Forbidden City, many royal families and officials lived here. For example, the former residence of China's last empress, Wan Rong, is in the Mao'er Hutong. In fact, a number of historical celebrities lived in the alleys before, such as Qi Baishi, a great artist, who is famous for his traditional Chinese painting. He lived in Yu'er Hutong for some time. 

The South Gong and Drum Lane is an old hutong in Beijing, renowned for its long history, Hutong culture, specialty stores, and distinctive foods. It is 768 meters (2,519 feet) long and 8 meters (26 feet) wide. Its north end joins Gulou Dong Dajie, and the south end is connected to Di'anmen Dong Dajie. There are eight parallel hutongs on each side of the old alley. These sixteen and the main lane were put on the first list of 25 historic and culturally protected areas in November 1990, by the local Municipal Government. Situated in the downtown area, it is convenient to reach.