What time should I go to Ghost Street, and is it open late?

Arrive after 10 PM for the full atmosphere — most of Beijing closes by 11 PM but Guijie runs to sunrise. The 10 PM-2 AM window has the liveliest crowds, neon, and red lanterns. Restaurants like Hu Da serve crayfish all night, so even an after-midnight dinner is normal here.

Can I pay with a foreign credit card on Ghost Street?

Almost never. Foreign Visa and Mastercard are essentially not accepted at these restaurants. Bring cash (RMB), or set up Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your card beforehand. Many places also charge for hot towels and tea, so keep small notes handy for the spicy-crayfish bill.

I can't handle spicy food — is there anything for me at Guijie?

Yes. Beyond the signature mala crayfish, the 150-plus restaurants serve hotpot (order a non-spicy clear broth), grilled lamb skewers, and roasted fish you can request mild. Point at photo menus or use a translation app, and ask for 'bu la' (not spicy). Lamb skewers and grilled fish are the safest non-spicy bets.

Ghost Street (Guijie), Beijing: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

1.5 km of crayfish, hotpot, and barbecue restaurants that come alive after 10 PM — Beijing's iconic late-night food street.

At a glance

What it is: Food
Also known as: 簋街 (Guǐ Jiē)
Opening hours: 11 AM – midnight
Time needed: 1.5-2.5 hours
Best time to visit: 10 PM - 1 AM; come hungry and patient
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Some English signage
Cards accepted: Cash only
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: Dongzhimen Inner St, Dongcheng District, Beijing · 东城区东直门内大街

See Ghost Street (Guijie)tickets & tours

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Guijie — written 簋街 (Gui meaning an ancient bronze food vessel, despite the pun on 鬼 for 'ghost') — is Beijing's most famous late-night food street. The 1.5-kilometer strip runs east along Dongzhimen Inner Street, lined with red lanterns and 150+ restaurants whose specialties are spicy crayfish (麻辣小龙虾), hotpot, lamb skewers, and Sichuan-style numbing fish (烤鱼). The atmosphere peaks between 10 PM and 2 AM, when the broader Beijing food scene shuts down — Ghost Street stays open till sunrise. Heaters and outdoor tables run all year. Most-recommended classics: Hu Da Restaurant (胡大饭馆) for crayfish (queue for 30-60 min even at 11 PM), Yang Wan Lou (羊万楼) for lamb skewers. Cash + Alipay/WeChat Pay; almost no foreign card acceptance here. The reverse name origin: in Qing times this street had a morning produce market that left it deserted by day and ghostly-quiet at night — hence the pun.

Highlights

Hu Da Crayfish (胡大饭馆)Most-famous crayfish; expect 30-60 min queue even on weeknights
Spicy Crayfish (麻辣小龙虾)Beijing's defining late-night dish; messy, hands-on, glorious
Open Past MidnightMost of Beijing closes by 11 PM — Guijie runs till sunrise
Hotpot + BBQ + Numbing Fish150+ restaurants; not just crayfish — sample the breadth
Cash / Alipay OnlyForeign cards almost never accepted here; bring RMB

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Order crayfish by the half-jin to taste-test the spice before committing to a full plate you can't finish.
▸Hu Da's queue is shortest around 10 PM; by midnight the wait stretches past an hour on weekends.
▸Plastic gloves and bibs come free with crayfish — ask if the table doesn't have them, your shirt will thank you.
▸Skip the touts waving menus at the street entrance; the busiest, loudest restaurants are where locals actually eat.
▸The red-lantern facade photographs best from the median strip after dark, looking down the street's full length.
▸Tea and wet towels are often billed extra; wave them away upfront if you want to keep the tab honest.
▸Come hungry but late — eating at 8 PM means a dead street; the energy only switches on after 10.

Photos

What travelers say (5 reviews)

Vincent P.·TripAdvisor·5/5

Open till 4am. Red lanterns the entire street. Try Hu Da spicy crayfish (麻辣小龙虾) — Beijing's most famous late-night dish.

2026-04-02

簋街吃货·Xiaohongshu·5/5

簋街必吃胡大！小龙虾季节去最爽。建议晚上10点后人少一些。地铁北新桥站。

2026-03-08

Mark T.·Google Maps·4/5

Touristy but legitimately fun. The 1.5km stretch is just non-stop hot pot, crayfish, and BBQ joints. Locals still come.

2026-02-17

Olivia R.·TripAdvisor·4/5

Skip the touristy stalls hawking on the street — pick a packed restaurant and queue. Pinyin menu boards exist.

2026-01-23

NightOwlChef·YouTube·5/5

Best 2am food street in China. Most of the spicy crayfish places have English-speaking servers now.

2026-03-28

Frequently asked questions about Ghost Street (Guijie)

What time should I go to Ghost Street, and is it open late?: Arrive after 10 PM for the full atmosphere — most of Beijing closes by 11 PM but Guijie runs to sunrise. The 10 PM-2 AM window has the liveliest crowds, neon, and red lanterns. Restaurants like Hu Da serve crayfish all night, so even an after-midnight dinner is normal here.
Can I pay with a foreign credit card on Ghost Street?: Almost never. Foreign Visa and Mastercard are essentially not accepted at these restaurants. Bring cash (RMB), or set up Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your card beforehand. Many places also charge for hot towels and tea, so keep small notes handy for the spicy-crayfish bill.
I can't handle spicy food — is there anything for me at Guijie?: Yes. Beyond the signature mala crayfish, the 150-plus restaurants serve hotpot (order a non-spicy clear broth), grilled lamb skewers, and roasted fish you can request mild. Point at photo menus or use a translation app, and ask for 'bu la' (not spicy). Lamb skewers and grilled fish are the safest non-spicy bets.