Liulichang Cultural Street

In southern Beijing lies Liulichang Cultural Street, a world-renowned hub of traditional Chinese culture. The name Liuli (Glazed Tile) dates back in the 13th-century Yuan Dynasty, during which this area was the production heart for the sparkling golden tiles seen on imperial palace roofs. By the 17th century, the kilns moved out, and the scholars moved in. As Beijing became the center for national exams, students and officials flocked here to buy books and stationery. 
 

Liulichang Cultural Street

Artware Sold On the Street

Today in this street, you can certainly step into the world of the ancient literati, exploring the finest stationaries and observing rare arts like woodblock water printing. It's equally inviting for those simply wishing to wander, snap photos, and experience a living piece of old Beijing where tradition meets modern leisure.
  
Founded in 1672, Rongbaozhai (Studio of Glorious Treasures) is arguably the street's most famous traditional art shop. What makes Rongbaozhai truly exceptional is its mastery of woodblock color printing—a technique so precise that it was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2005. The studio's artisans once spent eight years reproducing a single 4-meter-long masterpiece from the Five Dynasties period (10th Century), carving 1,667 individual wooden blocks to create just 30 copies that are virtually indistinguishable from the original. Don't miss their massive, ancient inkstone upon entering. The shelves are packed with premium brushes and ink sticks that smell faintly of pine and sandalwood. Upstairs hosts rotating exhibitions of contemporary and classical ink painting.
 

Rongbaozhai, Beijing Liulichang Cultural Street

Inkstones, Beijing Liulichang Cultural Street

  

China Bookstore, Beijing Liulichang Cultural Street

At China Bookstore, you can explore China's literary and artistic heritage with your hands. Unlike a guarded museum, its collection of ancient texts, calligraphy models, and painting albums is meant to be browsed freely. Here, you can actually pick up a book and feel the texture of paper that’s decades or even centuries old. While holding, you can compare the crisp, deep impression of a 200-year-old stele rubbing with a modern reprint, or gently run your fingers over the ink of a painting album to judge its print quality, both make your connection with the history more intimate.
 
If you've ever wondered how the deep black ink of Chinese calligraphy is made, visit the Yidege Ink Museum. In 1865, Xie Songdai, tired of grinding ink, invented China's first bottled liquid ink here. In the museum, you can walk up the spiral staircase to see the evolution of ink-making. The ground floor displays the copper vats used to mix carbon black and animal glue. At the exit, you can buy fresh ink with a deep, velvety sheen that mass-produced versions simply can't match.
 

Yidege, Beijing Liulichang Cultural Street

 
At Liulichang Cultural  Street, there are numerous specialized seal shops offering immersive hands-on cultural experience. Here, you can engage with the ancient art of seal engraving, a revered Chinese craft that transcends mere stamp-making to become a form of compact calligraphy and stone sculpture. For centuries, these personalized chops served as an individual's unique signature on documents, artworks, and literary works, symbolizing identity, authority, and artistic taste.
 
If you're in the mood for nothing more than leisurely strolling and soaking in the ambiance, Liulichang is also perfect for you. Start by meandering through the timeless hutongs surrounding the cultural street. You can simply step into an antique shop to admire an array of cultural curios, from intricate snuff bottles to weathered scholar's rocks, feeling the texture of history at your fingertips. For a quintessential old Beijing pause, seek out a traditional tea house tucked within a classic courtyard residence. Sip tea from a lidded bowl and watch the world go by. When you crave a familiar comfort, the area's stylish cafes, where East meets West, offer a perfect spot to relax with an artisan coffee. The neighborhood itself is a photo gallery—its grey-brick walls, ornate signs, and vibrant street life provide beautiful snapshots of this unique cultural fusion, requiring no effort to enjoy.
 

Artware Sold on Liulichang Cultural Street

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No visit is complete without finding the perfect memento. Liulichang excels in accessible, charming souvenirs that embody Chinese craftsmanship. Look for delicate red paper-cuttings with symbolic patterns of luck, elegant folding fans, or intricate shadow puppets. A particular Beijing keepsake is the Rabbit God, a colorful clay figurine traditionally associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. For something personal, consider a hand-knotted beaded bracelet; beyond being decorative, different beads and knots traditionally carry wishes for well-being, protection, or good fortune. The real delight for many visitors is the chance to create their own souvenir. Several workshops offer hands-on experiences where you can try paper-cutting or painting your own fan under gentle guidance. It’s a wonderful way to transform a simple purchase into a personal memory of your journey.


  

Calligraphy Showcase at Liulichang

If you visit during Chinese New Year, you'll witness Liulichang's most vibrant transformation at the Changdian Temple Fair. Dating back over 400 years to the Ming Dynasty, this is one of Beijing's largest and oldest temple fairs, attracting millions of visitors annually.

The fair transforms the entire area into a massive open-air market where you can find everything from antique books and traditional paintings to children's toys and seasonal snacks.  Beyond that, here's what you shouldn't miss for a comprehensive cultural immersion:

The Lively Craftsmanship: Stroll through the bustling lanes to witness traditional artisans at work. Observe the focused precision of seal carving masters personalizing stone chops, or watch as painters create elegant, spontaneous artworks—often featuring the zodiac animal of the year, like the spirited horse for 2026—with just a few expert brushstrokes. It's a chance to see living heritage in action.

The Signature Performances: The fair is famed for its vibrant stage shows. Key performances include the mesmerizing quick-change artistry of Face-Changing, excerpts from the iconic Peking Opera, the rhythmic storytelling of Clapper Talk, and the humorous dialogues of Crosstalk Comedy. This concentration of classic folk arts provides an unforgettable auditory and visual spectacle.
 

An Artisan Making Clay Sculpture, Liulichang

Ink Brushes, Beijing Liulichang Cultural Street

Tip: This temple fair is held annually between early January and mid-February, and the exact dates shift with the lunar calendar.
 
    Subway: Take Line 2 to Hepingmen Station, take Exit C, and walk south for about five minutes.
    Bus: Routes 7, 14, 15, 45, or 66 stop at the "Liulichang" station.
 
The Liulichang Cultural Street is public and free to enter 24/7, but shop hours vary:

General Shops: 09:00 – 18:00
Studio of Glorious Treasures: 09:00 – 16:30 (Often Closed on Mondays)
China Bookstore: 09:30 – 18:00
Yidege Ink Museum: 9:30–18:00
 
To get the most out of your visit, arrive here on a weekday morning around 9:30 to enjoy the quiet streets as shops open, or drop by after 15:00 for a much more relaxed, peaceful stroll, and plan for 2 to 3 hours of wandering.