Lama Temple 雍和宫 and Andingmen 安定门

Ancient religious site meets contemporary creative neigbourhood
Noteworthy for: It's home to one of the biggest Tibetan temples in China, The Lama Temple.

Word to the wise: Art lovers should stop off at 46 Fangjia Hutong, where you'll find cafes, art galleries, and a theatre that hosts contemporary dance, drama, music and puppet performances.
Named after the former royal residence turned monastery, this tranquil area – located just outside the Lama Temple metro station – is an unusual combination of a sacred religious zone and the newest happening spot for Beijing’s creative types.

For an insight into Tibetan Buddhism, head down Yongehegong street to the elegant and mystical Lama Temple. You'll pass stores selling Buddha statues, ancient wall hangings and offerings popular with travellers and locals, who take their wares to the temple for prayers. Walk under Guozijian hutong's colourfully painted archway and down the historic tree-lined street to the Imperial Academy. Pay homage to a great philosopher at the Confucius temple and marvel at the Cyprus trees' contorted trunks.

Wind up at Wudaoying or Fangjia hutong; these are Beijing’s latest areas of cute cafes, boutiques and intimate courtyard restaurants - think Nanluoguxiang but without the hoards of tourists, with a hip vibe and a friendly, local atmosphere which its punters work hard to sustain.