Xijiaominxiang is the west section of Jiaominxiang (Jiaomin Lane). It was an inseparable section of the entire street, with the famous Dongjiaominxiang, before the construction of Tiananmen Square. Dongjiaominxiang was famous for its diplomatic function, while Xijiaominxiang played more important role as a bankers' land. Many international or domestic banks were like to choose Xijiaominxiang as the sites for their headquarters. It was the lane of big banks. Today, most of the banks are hard to find out. But at the east exit of Xijiaominxiang, there are a money museum and a branch of the Bank of China.

Since the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China (about 1900) there were many banks founded in Xijiaominxiang. The Daqing Bank was the most famous Chinese-funded bank. Founded in 1905, it is the first central bank of Chinese history, formerly named Hubu Bank. In January 1912, Sun Yat-sen, the temporary president of the Republic of China announced the reorganization of Daqing Bank to become the Bank of China.

At the east entrance of Xijiaominxiang, there is the office block of Continental Bank. It's said that the block is the Western-style classical building with highest quality that a Chinese architect has designed. The Central Bank's former site, the Agriculture and Industry Bank of China's former site, and the Continental Bank's former site were listed as officially protected monuments and sites by the Beijing government.

Buses: take bus No. 2, 5, 20, 120, 126, 210 and get off at Tian'anmen West Stop

Subway: take Line 2 and get off at Qianmen or Hepingmen Station

Source: chinahighlights.com