After dinner tonight at a rather plush hotel we began walking back to the hotel via Wangfujing Street. After a few minutes my fellow traveller observed on our left hand side the arch David has spoken of beyond which is located the lane called “snack street”.
This area is not for the squeamish. There are stalls as far as the eye can see, coloured lights and lanterns hang everywhere, the stall holders call out to passing customers to tempt them to buy their delicacies. Basically they offer anything that crawls, squirms, flies, wriggles or swims that would not be found anywhere near a food establishment. There are grasshoppers, scorpions and huge pupae on sticks. Some are writhing around before being placed on hot coals. There are small birds, starfish, some meaty bones I hate to think where from.
The place is lively, but after about ten minutes my companion has had enough and we retrace our steps. On our way out we stop and watch a man making paintings in traditional Chinese style using only the side of his hand. He writes poems and sayings on the artwork using a Mont Blanc pen no less. He appears to be the busiest person in the market.
Exiting the lane we return to the hotel passed the bright lights of the pedestrianised street and prepare for our journey onwards to Xian tomorrow.
Good thing you weren’t feeling hungry!!x Hildegarde
Seem to remember others finding that street and were not very happy to see what they eat.