Nanluogu Xiang

Nanluogu xiang is a renowned alley with profound historical and cultural significance, as well as one of Beijing's ancient neighborhoods. It retains the unique texture of hutong courtyards from the Yuan dynasty and is a resource-rich traditional chessboard-style residential area. Nanluogu xiang features 16 neatly arranged hutongs on its east and west sides, forming a fishbone-like pattern. When viewed from above, the entire neighborhood resembles a centipede, earning it the nickname "centipede street." The formation of Nanluogu xiang can be traced back to the construction period of Dadu city during the Yuan dynasty. During the Qianlong era of the Qing dynasty, it served as the garrison for the Bordered Yellow Banner. By the late Guangxu to Xuantong periods, it was designated as the third left inner district. In the Republican era, it became part of the fifth inner district. Nanluogu xiang once gathered numerous high-ranking officials and cultural luminaries, preserving not only many historic hutongs and gray-brick siheyuan courtyards but also accumulating profound humanistic historical significance through former residences of notable figures.