Fangjia Hutong

Modern art

Arty districts and young entrepreneurs go hand-in-hand, and this lane is no exception. Most of the business owners are around 30, like Pan Haiyi, whose creative paper-goods shop, Paper Talk, has occupied its little storefront at No. 12 for several years. After quitting her job in the IT industry, Pan devoted herself to arts and crafts, making delicate items like bottles and wallets and even shelves out of paper. She said she chose this hutong location because it embodies the quiet, thoughtful style of her little shop.

"This place is quiet and peaceful, which allows me to have my full attention focused on making these paper gadgets with all my thought," she said.

At the east side of the lane in No. 51 is the MI-Space Gallery, which sells decorative maps of Beijing. While they aren't as detailed as more practical city maps, their stylish cartoon-style paintings make them very popular for home decoration and souvenirs.

Winding down the tour at the east access, the Fangjia One Two restaurant is another good place for hipsters to take a load off. The owner, Han Jiangxing, is a professional guitarist with a great passion for music. If you visit at night, the place is a perfect spot to unwind with a couple cold beers, listening to live music on stage or Han playing his own guitar from behind the bar.