Beijingers are familiar with the iconic streets of Dashilar and Xianyukou outside the Qianmen Street south of Tiananmen Square, but travelers know less about Xianyukou. In fact, Xianyukou is just opposite the east of Qianmen Street and Dashilar.

Many of China's time-honored brands have been in business for over a hundred years in Xianyukou, with some operating since the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912).

Xianyukou is a collection of famous restaurants, opera gardens, teahouses and handicraft workshops in Beijing, with more than 570 years of history. In 1999, the area was listed as one of the 25 key historical and cultural protected areas in Beijing.

As an important part of the Qianmen Street renovation project, the total construction area on both sides of Xianyukou Street is about 56,000 square meters. The buildings on both sides are small commercial shops with historical features.

The colorful decorations and facilities of the street have a fish motif. Look closely at the street's utility hole covers, and you'll see it. 

The tourist-friendly food street features traditional Beijing snacks, making it a popular place to wine and dine when in town. 

Bianyifang Peking Duck

Bianyifang Peking Duck restaurant is a famous "Chinese time-honored restaurant" in Beijing. It was founded in 1416 under the reign of Emperor Yongle (1403-1424) in the Ming Dynasty and has a history of 602 years. In 1855, Xianyukou Bianyifang was established in Qianmen, Beijing, by family surnamed Wang who hired a chef for the original Bianyifang. The restaurant has carried the Beijing cuisine tradition from the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) to the modern day.

Tianxingju Fried Liver

Tianxingju, founded in 1862 under the reign of Emperor Tongzhi (1862-1874) of the Qing Dynasty, is located at Xianyukou in Qianmen, Beijing. One shopkeeper created the local delicacy "fried liver." In 2007, the restaurant's technique for making the dish was listed in a district's intangible cultural heritage protection list.

There are plenty of time-honored brands within Xianyukou. Residents are enjoying the successful renovation of the nearby Sanlihe, while the overall planning of Qianmen Street means that one no longer has to go to a little hutong on the east side for fresh fish.

(Head image by Li Wenyi)