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Gui Street, located inside Dongzhimen in Beijing's Dongcheng District, stretches less than 1 kilometer, yet it's a prime showcase for Beijing's culinary scene. It's home to numerous restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines, including hot pot and barbecue dishes from Sichuan, Shandong, Cantonese, and Hunan provinces. Spicy crayfish, frogs, and grilled fish are particularly popular, attracting many tourists. You can often see many foreigners gathered around tables, or perhaps even a few Chinese people, chatting about various topics while enjoying their meals.
Guijie's restaurants are open all day, but typically come alive after 10 p.m., signaling the beginning of a vibrant nightlife. The street is dotted with large red lanterns, which, at night, cast a faint, intoxicating glow, creating a magical and alluring atmosphere. It has become a trendsetter for Beijing's most popular cuisines.
North temperate semi-humid continental monsoon climate;
It is suitable for eating in all seasons, but August and September are the lobster season, which is the most worthwhile.
It is recommended to play for 2 to 3 hours
free
All day
Guijie Street, also known as Ghost Street, is famous for its extensive selection of restaurants and food stalls. Its history is tied to the evolution of Beijing's food culture, with the street becoming a popular destination for late-night dining and showcasing Beijing's rich culinary traditions. Over time, it has become an iconic part of Beijing's nightlife and dining scene.
Guijie Street is located in the Dongcheng District of Beijing. It can be easily reached via the Dongzhimen Metro Station (Line 2), which is just a short walk away. You can also take a taxi or bus from various points in the city to reach the street.
Guijie Street is open 24 hours a day, but the best time to visit is in the evening, especially from 7:00 PM to midnight when the street is at its busiest. The weekends tend to have more crowds, so visiting on a weekday evening might offer a more relaxed experience.
There is no entrance fee to visit Guijie Street, as it is a public street. However, you will need to pay for food and drinks at the various restaurants and food stalls along the street. Payment can be made in cash or via mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay) at most venues.
Booking in advance is generally not required for visiting Guijie Street, as it is an open street with many restaurants and food stalls. However, if you plan to dine at a popular restaurant, it's a good idea to reserve a table, especially on weekends or during holidays.
Exploring Guijie Street typically takes around 1-2 hours, depending on how much time you spend sampling food or browsing through the restaurants. If you want to enjoy a leisurely dinner or snack along the way, you might want to plan for 2-3 hours.
Guided tours are not commonly offered along Guijie Street, as it is more of a self-guided experience. However, some restaurants may offer guided dining experiences. Audio guides are not available, but some online platforms provide food tours of Beijing that include Guijie Street as part of the itinerary.
Night visits are the highlight of Guijie Street, as the area is known for its lively atmosphere after dark. There are no official light shows or special tours, but the street’s neon lights and bustling food scene provide a lively nighttime experience.
Guijie Street is usually crowded, especially on weekends and during public holidays. The least crowded times to visit are on weekdays in the early evening or late at night, when the restaurants and street vendors are less busy.
Public toilets are available at some of the nearby shopping centers, but not directly on the street itself. There are plenty of food and drink options throughout the area, and most restaurants offer water and seating. Rest areas are not common, but there are some small parks and open spaces nearby to relax in.
Guijie Street is accessible for children and elderly visitors, but the street can get crowded, making navigation difficult for those with mobility issues. The street is mostly flat, but wheelchair accessibility can be limited depending on the specific restaurant or venue.
Mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) are widely accepted along Guijie Street, and many restaurants and shops also accept credit cards. However, it is still a good idea to carry cash for small transactions or in case mobile payments are not accepted at certain food stalls.
Vegetarian and vegan options are available at many of the restaurants on Guijie Street, with some places specifically catering to these dietary preferences. Halal food is also available, particularly in the form of Muslim-style Chinese cuisine at some restaurants in the area.
There are various souvenir shops around the Guijie Street area, selling traditional Chinese handicrafts, clothing, Peking Opera masks, and tea sets. The street itself is not primarily focused on souvenirs, but nearby shopping centers offer more options.
After visiting Guijie Street, you can take a taxi, metro (Dongzhimen Station), or bus to other nearby attractions like the Forbidden City or Wangfujing Street. The Beijing metro system is the most efficient way to continue your journey.
