Beijing Dashilan Historical and Cultural District

Dashilan Historical and Cultural District, often simply referred to as "Dashilan" (pronounced dà shí lànr), is a vibrant and storied neighborhood nestled to the west of Qianmen Street in Beijing’s Xicheng District. Bounded by Nanxinhua Street to the west, Zhushikou West Street to the south, and Qianmen West Street to the north, this district covers an area of approximately 1.15 square kilometers. With its origins tracing back to the 18th year of the Yongle reign in the Ming Dynasty (1420), when it was known as Langfang Sitiao, the district earned the name "Dashilan" in 1488 during the first year of the Hongzhi reign, after barriers (or "lan") were erected at the entrance of the alleys. By the late Qing Dynasty, Dashilan had blossomed into a bustling commercial hub, becoming one of Beijing’s most renowned business districts.

Today, Dashilan stands as a treasure trove of history, with its streets lined by remnants of the past—ancient storefronts and institutions like the former Quanyechang Department Store, the old facades of Qianxiangyi and Ruifuxiang silk stores, the Yanye Bank, and the Bank of Communications. This district is not just a collection of old buildings but a living museum of China’s commercial heritage, the birthplace of Beijing’s early trade, and a cradle of the Chinese film industry. Above all, it remains a vibrant repository of traditional Beijing culture.

During the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican era, Dashilan was the epicenter of commerce and entertainment in Beijing. The area was home to five grand theaters: Qingleyuan, Sanqingyuan, Guangdelou, Guangheyuan, and Tongleyuan. These theaters, nestled outside the city’s inner walls, became crucial venues for the development of Peking Opera, especially after an imperial edict banned the establishment of theaters within the inner city. Over time, the streets of Dashilan bore witness to the footsteps of generations of Peking Opera performers, with notable figures like Mei Lanfang and Tan Xinpei residing in the district, further solidifying its cultural significance.

Dashilan is also a gathering place for China’s time-honored brands. The district boasts a variety of venerable establishments, such as Beijing Silk Store, Ruifuxiang Silk Store, Neiliansheng Shoe Store, Liubiju Pickle Shop, Tongrentang Pharmacy, Zhang Yiyuan Tea Shop, Changchuntang Pharmacy, and Yuanshengzhai Cooked Meat Shop, all of which continue to thrive in this historic locale.

Yangmeizhu Xiejie, one of Dashilan’s most famous streets, was once a hub for publishing houses during the Republican period, earning it the moniker “Publishers’ Street.” Here, renowned publishing houses like Zhongzhong Book Company, World Book Company, Kaiming Book Company, Guangyi Book Company, Global Book Company, Dazhong Book Company, and Zhonghua Printing Company once stood. Meanwhile, Shijiahutong, known as “Silver Street,” housed several banks, including Huawei Bank, Zhibian Bank, Hebei Provincial Bank, and Quantong Bank. The nearby Zhubaoshi Street, known as “Smelters’ Street,” was home to institutions that minted silver and later evolved to perform banking functions, laying the foundation for what would become the Bank of China. Qianmen Xiheyan Street, often referred to as “Bank Street,” was where the Yan Ye Bank and the Bank of Communications operated, with the former leading as the most prominent commercial bank in the country at the time.

The district is also renowned for its numerous guild halls. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, as Beijing flourished as the imperial capital and commercial center, countless guild halls were established by merchants and scholars from across China who came to the city for business or to participate in the imperial examinations. Due to regulations that restricted non-nobles from residing within the inner city, most guild halls were built outside the city walls, with Dashilan becoming one of the primary locations for these establishments. In total, the district was home to 27 guild halls, each reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of its patrons.

Dashilan is also known for its distinctive siheyuan (courtyard houses), particularly in areas like Yaowu Hutong, Huoshan Hutong, Chaji Hutong, Tiaozhu Hutong, and Tan’er Hutong, where these traditional residential structures unique to Beijing’s outer city remain preserved.

The district's commercial, cultural, and entertainment significance can be attributed to several factors. First, its proximity to the Forbidden City in the Qing Dynasty allowed it to become a pioneer in fashion and trends. Second, the relocation of the Grand Canal's terminal to the southern part of the city and the construction of key railway stations, such as the Jingfeng and Jinghan stations near Qianmen, made Dashilan a crucial transportation hub. Third, the abundance of guild halls—300 out of Beijing’s 400—situated near Dashilan fostered a bustling environment for commerce. Fourth, the presence of numerous theaters and nearby entertainment districts like the Eight Great Lanes (Bada Hutong) made it a lively center of activity. Lastly, the spaciousness of Dashilan compared to the narrower alleys of Langfang Sitiao made it an attractive location for larger businesses.

Here are some famous cultural and historical sites for your reference:

Quanyechang Department Store (Former Site)
Located at 17 Langfang Toutiao within Beijing Fun, Quanyechang was Beijing’s first comprehensive department store equipped with elevators and an amusement park. Now restored as a cultural and arts center, the building spans three floors above ground and one basement level, constructed with reinforced concrete and brick. The interior features three grand halls and surrounding balconies, with luxurious open-plan stores. The Baroque-style façade, adorned with Western columns and ornate balconies, reflects the grandeur of early 20th-century architecture.

Yanye Bank (Former Site)
Situated at 7 Qianmen Xiheyan Street, this three-story building showcases an Ionic column façade and red brick walls.

Bank of Communications (Former Site)
Located at 9 Qianmen Xiheyan Street, this building is a masterpiece by architect Yang Tingbao. It stands four stories tall with an additional basement level. The structure is adorned with traditional Chinese architectural elements such as a glazed-tile roof and intricately carved window frames.

Qianxiangyi Silk Store (Former Site)
Found at 5 Zhubaoshi Street, this two-story wooden building features a classical Western-style façade divided into three parts by columns, each with an archway. The second floor includes an iron-railing balcony, while the roof is adorned with ornate decorative elements.

Ruifuxiang Silk Store (Former Site)
Located at 5 Dashilan Street, Ruifuxiang was established in 1893 by Meng Luochuan of Shandong, and after being rebuilt following a fire in 1900, it became Beijing’s largest silk store. Notably, the first national flag of the People’s Republic of China was sewn here. The façade is a two-story brick structure with a metal canopy and ornately decorated pillars.

Xiangyi Silk Store (Former Site)
Situated at 1 Dashilan Street, this two-story wooden building is distinguished by its ironwork embellishments, intricate floral designs, and an ornate iron canopy.

Daguanlou Cinema
Located at the south side of Dashilan Street’s western entrance, Daguanlou was China’s first cinema and the first to screen wide-screen films. Now a film museum, it proudly displays stills from “Dingjun Mountain,” China’s first film, featuring the legendary Peking Opera performer Tan Xinpei.

Guangdelou Theater
Found at the north side of Dashilan Street’s western entrance, Guangdelou is a historic theater dating back to the Jiaqing reign (1796–1820) in the Qing Dynasty. Rebuilt in 1904 after a fire, it was later renamed Qianmen Small Theater, hosting performances of crosstalk (xiangsheng).

The Eight Great Lanes (Bada Hutong)
Located in the southwestern corner of Dashilan, the Eight Great Lanes, known locally as “Flower Streets and Willow Alleys,” were historically famous for their brothels. The lanes include Baishun Hutong, Yanzhi Hutong, Hanjia Hutong, Shaanxi Alley, Shitou Hutong, Wangguangfu Xiejie (now Zongshu Xiejie), Zhujiakou Hutong, and Lishamao Hutong (now Xiaoli Hutong).

In 2015, Dashilan Historical and Cultural District was officially recognized as one of China’s first historical and cultural districts. Today, it remains a must-visit destination for both domestic and international tourists exploring the heart of Beijing.