Xijiaomin Alley-Dashilar Street-Zhushikou-Liulichang

Xijiaomin Alley sits in the south of Xicheng District. The alley is about 1080 meters long, stretching from the Tiananmen Square to the North Xinhua Street. It connects Zhengyang Gate (commonly known as Qianmen) westwards and Qianmen Street, namely Dashilar Street southwards. After rebuilding, the street has lost its old favor, but small hutongs along the western side maintain their original landscape.

The Qianmen Street connects Zhushikouxi Avenue to the south. Walking westwards at the intersection, you will pass the Catholic Church, Feng Ze Yuan Restaurant, the Former Residence of Ji Xiaolan, and Huguang Guild Hall. After arriving at the Huguang Guild hall, in thenorth is locatedSouth Xinhua Street. After about 700 meters, you will arrive at the Lulichang. Liulichang is a famous cultural street with many shops selling “scholar's four jewels (namely, inkstone, writing brush, ink and paper)”.And Rong Bao Zhai, a time-honored brand is located on the street. Shops on both sides are in Chinese traditional style with brackets, cornice, red walls, and green glazed tiles. You may walk down the old street to visit these shops and chat with the owners who will tell you the stories behind the street.

Highlights:

1. The street is also home to the House of Zhang Tingge (residence of the boss of Shuanghesheng Brewery), former sites of Central Bank (Beijing Branch), the Agriculture and Industry Bank of China, Continental Bank, the Commercial Guarantee Bank of China, and other cultural relics protection sites.

2.  You can find treasures varying from calligraphy and painting works of celebrities to antiques in shops at Liulichang.

3. You can enjoy different snacks of Beijing on Dashilar Street, such as quick-fried tripe, Dalian Huoshao (fried wheaten pancake with meat and sea cucumber fillings), stewed haslet with flapjack, and fried sausage.