The Brooklyn
of Beijing is
Gulou.
The case for Gulou
Gulou is Beijing at its most walkable. The hutong grid around the Drum Tower holds the deepest independent music, bookshop, and bar scene in the city. Wudaoying and Beiluoguxiang are the streets to know, and afternoons here mean pour-over coffee, indie record shops, and small studios rather than spectacle.
The hutong grid between the Drum Tower and Beiluoguxiang holds more than 40 independent cafes, bars, and design shops within a roughly one-square-kilometre walk.
Close contenders
Other cool neighborhoods in Beijing.
798 / Caochangdi
The 798 Art District and adjacent Caochangdi are where Beijing's contemporary galleries cluster. Industrial Bauhaus shells turned into studio buildings, anchor galleries, and a working artist scene. Less walkable than Gulou but the right side trip for anyone serious about Chinese contemporary art.
Three sides of the neighborhood
Where to go in Gulou.
All 22 spots mapped out
Gulou, corner to corner.
Our 22 top picks
The Gulou guide.
Practical info
Good to know.
The boring numbers that decide whether you stay three days or four.
| Currency | CNY |
|---|---|
| Language | Mandarin |
| Cost level | $$$Moderate to expensive |
| Best months | Late September to early November, plus May |
| Local time | UTC+8 |
| Plug type | US, EU & Australian plugs · 220V/50Hz |
| Emergency | 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire |
Local tip
Skip the Forbidden City crowds at midday. Walk Beiluoguxiang from north to south around 4pm into the connecting hutongs and you will see what Beijing actually looks like at street level.
Asia · China
If you like Beijing, try one of these.
Head to head
How does Beijing stack up?
Common questions
Things to know about Gulou.
What is the Brooklyn of Beijing?
The Brooklyn of Beijing is Gulou. Gulou is Beijing at its most walkable. The hutong grid between the Drum Tower and Beiluoguxiang holds more than 40 independent cafes, bars, and design shops within a roughly one-square-kilometre walk.
What is the coolest neighborhood in Beijing?
Gulou is widely considered the coolest neighborhood in Beijing. Gulou is Beijing at its most walkable. The hutong grid around the Drum Tower holds the deepest independent music, bookshop, and bar scene in the city. Wudaoying and Beiluoguxiang are the streets to know, and afternoons here mean pour-over coffee, indie record shops, and small studios rather than spectacle.
What is the hippest neighborhood in Beijing?
Gulou is the hippest neighborhood in Beijing. The hutong grid around the Drum Tower packs Beijing's deepest concentration of indie record shops, small live venues, and bookstores into streets you actually walk.
What is the trendiest neighborhood in Beijing?
Gulou is Beijing's trendiest neighborhood right now. Wudaoying and Beiluoguxiang now live on pour-over coffee, small design studios, and galleries that turn over faster than the city's official cultural districts.
Where do creatives live in Beijing?
Gulou, the hutong grid around the Drum Tower, is where Beijing's creatives work. Small studios, design shops, and independent galleries line Beiluoguxiang and the connecting lanes. Caochangdi and 798 sit nearby for contemporary art. Afternoons run on pour-over coffee and record shops, not spectacle.
What is the most bohemian neighborhood in Beijing?
Gulou is Beijing's most bohemian quarter. The hutong grid north of the Drum Tower holds the deepest independent music, bookshop, and bar scene in the city, packed into roughly one square kilometre. Wudaoying and Beiluoguxiang are the streets to know. Best spent walking the lanes, street food in hand.
Where should I stay in Gulou, Beijing?
The boutique hotel to know in Gulou is The Orchid. Fifteen rooms inside a restored siheyuan on Baochao Hutong, with a rooftop that looks straight at the Drum Tower.
Is Gulou in Beijing safe at night?
Gulou is a lived-in creative neighborhood, not a tourist compound. Bars and restaurants here stay busy late, which keeps streets active. Use normal city awareness.
Is Beijing expensive?
Beijing rates $$$ on a global travel scale. Moderate to expensive, but Gulou's independent spots offer better value than tourist areas.
When is the best time to visit Beijing?
Aim for late September through early November, when Beijing turns dry and clear at 15-25C and autumn light catches the grey-tiled rooftops. Late April and May run a close second, before summer humidity sets in. Skip July and August, which are hot, wet and smoggy, and January, with its sub-zero dry winds. Check the AQI each morning and mask up above 150.
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