Farewell, my favorite bar street

Last month, Nanluoguxiang was moved to my endangered bar street list after an announcement by local officials revealed plans to slowly transform the bar street into a center for "popular culture" by gradually replacing the bars and cafes with theaters and other entertainment venues.

For those who don't know, Nanluoguxiang is a side alley bar street located a stone's throw from the Drum and Bell Towers in Xicheng district.

This news hit hard as Nanluoguxiang was one of the first places in Beijing to cast its charm over me when I first arrived in Beijing in early 2008.