Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Nanluogu Xiang, a popular tourist alley in Beijing, Feb 25, 2014. (Photo: Beijing News)

Tourists at a famous hutong, or alley in Beijing, must have gotten their money's worth.

The unexpected appearance of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday in Nanluogu Xiang sent excited visitors into a frenzy, who clustered around the leader and couldn't stop photographing him.

A Sina Weibo user posted multiple photos of Xi's entourage, making a splash in cyberspace.

People still remember Xi showing up at a dumpling store, with no notice, in Beijing on Dec 28, which turned the mediocre eatery into a popular tourist attraction.

Xi was in the alley with Guo Jinglong, Party chief of Beijing, and Mayor Wang Anshun.

Located to the north of the Forbidden City and the east of the axis of Beijing, the historic alley is flanked with craft stores, restaurants and cafes.