When it comes to Beijing, red walls and yellow glazed tiles are the first things that come to mind. These buildings are full of history and show the majesty of the royal family.

Or you may think of the hutongs and courtyards, which are not buried by the tall buildings in the city.

There are also places that practice the aesthetics of Western-style architecture, and it feels like you're in Europe when you walk through them.

Xishiku Church

Xishiku Church is a combination of Chinese and Western churches. With four tall steeples and rose windows, the church stands out amidst the green pines and cypresses.

There are thirty-six open pillars in the hall and a chanting building inside, and the hall is cross-shaped in plan.

Note: The church is currently only open on Sundays and reservations must be made in advance.

Address: No.33 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

The former site of Duan Qirui's ruling government

The building is divided into two parts: the East Courtyard and the West Courtyard. The East Courtyard was built in the eleventh year of the Yongzheng era as the mansion of the Prince He, while the West Courtyard was the mansion of Prince Kung in the early Qing Dynasty. After the Republic of China, it was turned into the seat of the Navy Department of the Beiyang Government.

In 1924 the building was changed to the Duan Qirui administration and three groups of brick buildings were reconstructed. The main building in the middle is a European classical-style brick building, with one building each to the east, west and north.

The exquisite brick carvings and gray brick walls create a solemn atmosphere.

Address: No.3 Zhangzizhong Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Dongjiaominxiang Alley

Dongjiaominxiang Alley is a hutong in the Dongcheng District of Beijing, which was originally called Dongjiangminxiang Alley because it was a canal in the old days. In the late Qing Dynasty, it was a gathering place for foreign embassies, and all the buildings were in Western style, which remain largely intact now.

Address: No.4 Chongwenmennei Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Changguan Building

Now located in the northwest of Beijing Zoo, Chang Guan Lou was the last imperial suburban palace with a unique style in the late Qing Dynasty.

Chang Guan building is built in European style, the walls of the building are earth red with a 75 cm high gray brick masonry base, asymmetrical on the east and west sides. The east side is cylindrical, and the top of the building is a circular platform with a circle of European-style flower-decorated railings, from which you can overlook the distance.

Address: Beijing Zoo, No.137 Xizhimenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Model Bookstore + Poetry Space

There is a century-old building standing quietly in the Xicheng District, the Beijing Chinese Anglican Church, which is now a bookstore.

There are gray brick walls, a hard mountain-style roof, soaring dormers, beautiful colorful glass windows, and vintage wood floors. A staircase on either side leads to a glass space on the second floor, where you can overlook the entire bookstore.

Address: No. 85, Tonglinge Road, Xicheng District, Beijing

Translator: LIU Yu