Yangrou Hutong

　　Beijing Charm: Hunting for Jewelry in Siheyuan Courtyards

　　Age: Over 600 years

　　Past: During the Yuan Dynasty, this area was used for livestock trading to serve the needs of emperors and nobles. After the Ming Dynasty, because the area nearby became a hub for the Hui ethnic community, many lamb shops opened in this hutong, known for their quality and affordability and fame throughout the region, hence the name "Yangrou" (lamb) Hutong.

　　Present: Hundreds of years later, no one would have imagined that a hutong historically named after lamb sales would become associated with jewelry in the 1990s and turn into a genuine jewelry street in Beijing. Quality and affordability are the hallmarks of jewelry here, as most customers are industry insiders, so shop owners don’t bother inflating prices. It’s said that jewelry here is often more than 50% cheaper than in large department stores, and some items sold in those stores may even have been crafted by artisans from this very hutong. Here, you’ll often see elderly people wearing reading glasses and holding magnifying glasses, as they’re searching for the treasures they love. If you're just here to look around or buy an engagement diamond ring, it's best to brush up on your jewelry appraisal knowledge beforehand or follow experienced treasure hunters—you might just find something you like. Otherwise, you won’t be able to communicate effectively with the shop staff.

　　How to Find It: 100 meters south of the Xisi intersection, on the west side of the road

　　Highlights: Diamond Dream Yuan, Huayun Hong

　　(No images available yet; contributions welcome.)