2026 Jinyu Hutong Beijing Travel Guide: The former site of Xianliang Temple next to Wangfujing, visiting hours and transportation routes

In Beijing, there is a hutong with a delightful-sounding name: Jinyu Hutong (Goldfish Hutong). You might wonder if there are goldfish in this hutong, and the answer is no. But it holds many stories far more interesting than the goldfish itself.

Quick Facts: Jin Yu Hutong at a Glance

• Location: Dongcheng District; runs east-west, bordering Wangfujing Pedestrian Street to the west and Dongdan North Street to the east
• Key Attractions: Ruins of Xianliang Temple (former residence of Li Hongzhang), former site of Na Jia Garden, Peninsula Hotel, and Peace Hotel
• Historical Transformation: From a Ming Dynasty street specializing in gold and silver jewelry to Beijing’s premier commercial and diplomatic historic district
• Visitor Tips: Explore alongside Wangfujing; take your time to savor the atmosphere and feel the lingering warmth of history amidst the bustling city

The Easiest Way to Get There | Direct Route Without Detours

①Subway (Fastest and Most Convenient)

Line 1 / Line 8: Exit at Wangfujing Station (Exits A or E)

Walk north for a few minutes after exiting the station to reach the west entrance of Jinyu Hutong, which connects seamlessly to Wangfujing Main Street.

Line 5: Exit at Dengshikou Station (Exit C)

If you prefer to enter from the east and stroll westward, this route is quieter and avoids the crowds at the west entrance.

②Direct Bus Routes

Jinyu Hutong Station: Buses 103, 104, 111, 127, and Special Line 11. Get off, and you’re right in the heart of the hutong.

Wangfujing Pedestrian Street North Station: A 2–3-minute walk takes you into the hutong, and you can check out the street scenery along the way.

③Driving Not Recommended

Parking is scarce around the hutong, and the core area has traffic restrictions. Taking the subway and walking is the most comfortable option.

Where is Jinyu Hutong?

Jinyu Hutong is located in the Dongcheng District, the heart of Beijing. Running east to west, it connects North Dongdan Street in the east and the renowned Wangfujing Street in the west. Stretching 567 meters in total, it is 44 meters at its widest and 12 meters at its narrowest—quite a spacious one among Beijing’s hutongs.

The Origin of the Name: From “Jinyin (Gold and Silver)” to “Jinyu (Goldfish)”

In the Ming Dynasty, about 600 years ago, there were numerous gold and silver jewelry shops near this hutong, so it was originally named Jinyin Hutong.

Later, due to a similar pronunciation, it was gradually called Jinyu Hutong by the locals. Thus, this hutong has had nothing to do with goldfish from the very start.

From a Humble Lane to a Bustling Hub

Jinyu Hutong was not always as wide as it is today. Back in the day, it was only about 6 meters wide, with a road surface paved with gravel mixed with asphalt—one’s feet would hurt if wearing thin-soled shoes while walking on it.

Despite its simple and crude appearance, it was once one of the most famous and bustling places in Beijing.

Its western entrance leads straight to Wangfujing Street, home to the prosperous Dong’an Market and the well-known Jixiang Theatre, where crowds of people bustled about all day long.

The hutong itself was lined with many time-honored establishments: Donglaishun Restaurant, famous for its instant-boiled mutton; Wufangzhai Pastry Shop, renowned for Jiangnan-style dim sum; and the iconic Jixiang Opera House, where many Peking Opera masters such as Mei Lanfang once graced the stage with their performances.

 Great Figures and Their Stories in the Hutong

Jinyu Hutong was once home to many prominent figures in history.

•  Najia Garden: At the eastern end of the hutong stood the mansion of Na Tong, a Grand Secretary of the late Qing Dynasty, known to people as Najia Garden. This grand mansion was extremely large, occupying almost a quarter of Jinyu Hutong’s total area! It had a garden, a pond, a rockery, and even an opera house. Unfortunately, it was demolished in 1988 to make way for the construction of the Peace Hotel and Wangfu Hotel.
• Xianliang Temple: Turning from Jinyu Hutong into the neighboring Xiaowei Hutong, you will see an unassuming wall. Inside it once lay the famous Xianliang Temple, one of the eight great temples in Beijing during the Qing Dynasty. Due to its proximity to the imperial palace, it was a popular residence for officials from other provinces who came to Beijing to report on their work. Li Hongzhang, the leading minister of the late Qing Dynasty, lived here twice: first, after he was removed from office and lived in leisure in Beijing following the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895; second, in 1901, when he was ordered to return to Beijing from the south to negotiate and sign a treaty with foreign envoys here. Today, most of the temple’s buildings are no longer standing.

The One-of-a-Kind Pickle Shop and Its “Patio”

Nestled in Jinyu Hutong is an extraordinary pickle shop—Tianyuan Pickle Shop, which boasts a one-of-a-kind architectural design in Beijing. As you step through its door, you will see a rectangular patio.

In the prime location of Wangfujing, where every inch of land is precious, other shops would have long put up multi-storey buildings on such a space, yet Tianyuan Pickle Shop has kept it open, with just a green awning overhead.

This patio is more than just an aesthetic feature. On rainy days, people can take shelter from the rain here; more importantly, the fumes and smells generated during pickle making rise upward and drift away through the patio, so the shop is free of the mixed, unpleasant odors typical of other pickle shops.

 The Nostalgic “Big Wine Vats” and Snack Area

In the old days, Jinyu Hutong also had unique “big wine vats”—a type of casual wine tavern with no tables, only several large vats half-buried in the ground, whose lids served as drinking tables. Customers would stand around the vats to sip wine, a quaint and interesting scene.

The hutong also had a bustling snack area, brimming with the vibrant flavor of mundane life. Barbers, street food vendors, shadow show performers, and all kinds of peddlers wandered about here.

On chilly winter nights, groups of friends would huddle around a brazier, drink cheap tea, crack open “ban kong” (small, underdeveloped peanuts), and chat away. What they ate was never the point; it was all about the warm and lively atmosphere.

Jinyu Hutong Today

Today, modern high-rises such as the Taiwan Hotel, Peace Hotel, and Wangfu Hotel line both sides of Jinyu Hutong. The traditional siheyuan courtyards and ancient buildings in the hutong coexist in harmony with modern commerce.

When ginkgo leaves fall in autumn, the ancient hutong and modern art blend in a wonderful way here. You can almost hear the strains of Peking Opera arias coming from an old gramophone, and witness the convergence of hundreds of years of historical stories with the prosperity of the present day.

My Secret Guide to Exploring

Enter Jinyu Hutong from the north entrance of Wangfujing, and take a stroll to admire the old gate towers and intricate details of the traditional inns.

Turn into Xiaowei Hutong to find the ruins of Xianliang Temple and soak in the quiet atmosphere of history.

Stop by Tianyuan Soy Sauce Factory to check out its unique old-Beijing-style courtyard.

Pick up a bite to eat at Donglaishun or Wufangzhai along the way to sample the flavors of these time-honored brands.

Come in the evening for the best photo opportunities—the combination of lighting and old walls creates an atmosphere that’s absolutely magical.

So if you visit Beijing, be sure to take a walk through Jinyu Hutong. Though there are no goldfish here, it is filled with time-honored delicacies, fascinating historical tales, and the most authentic memories of Beijing.