Stretching 1,552 meters just southeast of Tiananmen Square, Dongjiaominxiang Alley is known as Beijing's longest hutong.

Its history can be traced back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Originally, it was connected with Xijiaominxiang Alley to the west of Tiananmen Square. As a strategic part of the country's rice trade route, it garnered the name Jiangmixiang Alley (which literally translates to "rice alley"). In the following Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, it was home to imperial ministry offices and served as the country's diplomatic center for many years.

After 1900, with the arrival of the international community, Dongjiaominxiang Alley was designated as an embassy zone. Called "Beijing Legation Quarter," it was known as "a kingdom inside a kingdom," housing the embassies of France, Japan, the United States, Germany, Russia, Belgium, Holland, Italy and Austria. Many foreign banks, hospitals and post offices also operated here, which explains the various Western-style structures scattered on both sides of the alley.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the area continued to serve as a diplomatic zone until the late 1950s when the embassies were moved further east. Some of the century-old buildings have been preserved and re-purposed, such as the former Italian Embassy, which now houses the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

What to see in the Hutongs

St. Michael's Church

Even in a hutong full of foreign architecture, St. Michael's Church still stands out. Built in the European Gothic-style, by a French priest in 1901, St. Michael's continues to hold daily masses in the present day.

Address: No. 13 Dongjiaominxiang Alley

Beijing Police Museum

This museum provides a fascinating insight into Beijing's underworld. It occupies a former Citibank building outfitted with an original wrought iron elevator.

Address: No. 36 Dongjiaominxiang Alley

Admission: 5 yuan

Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Sun.