Longcheng bar and restaurant strip

The Longcheng bar and restaurant strip is the modern drinking district of Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province in northern China. Located in the Longcheng Avenue area of Xiaodian District, in the south of the city, it is built around a contemporary business area, and the bars here cater to a younger, more affluent crowd than the traditional lanes of the old centre. Patrons are mostly local professionals, university graduates and groups of friends in their twenties and thirties, with some business travellers staying in nearby hotels. Dress is smart casual; there is no formal dress code and door policies at the bars are relaxed, though clean, tidy clothing is expected at the more polished venues.

The atmosphere is sociable and contemporary rather than rowdy. Venues range from restaurant-bars serving shared plates to craft beer venues with rotating taps and small taprooms that stock bottled imports. Cocktail lists focus on approachable classics and sweet or fruit-led house creations, with whisky, domestic baijiu-based mixes and Chinese craft beer all widely available. Music is generally a background mix of Mandarin and international pop, with occasional live singers or DJs on weekends in the larger venues.

Hours typically run from about 18:00 until around 02:00 daily. Weeknights are quiet, ideal for conversation, while Friday and Saturday become busy from about 21:00, when groups fill tables and the late drinking begins. There is generally no cover charge. Spending is higher than on the street-food promenades of central Taiyuan, usually about CNY 60 to 150 per person for food and several drinks. Reservations are worthwhile for groups at weekends, especially at restaurant-bars, and can usually be arranged by phone or through the mobile apps that Chinese diners commonly use. Bottle service exists at a few larger venues but is not a defining feature of the strip. Payment is mainly by Alipay or WeChat Pay, and visitors without these wallets should carry cash or a bank card and check first that the venue accepts them. The strip is best reached by taxi or ride-hailing app from central Taiyuan, and taxis are plentiful when venues close, which makes it a practical choice for a late night out.