Featured hutongs in Beijing (3)

Guozijian Street

Located between Yonghegong Guozijian Street and Andingmennei Street, Guozijian Street came into being in the early Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). The current name came into use during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Guozijian gets its name as the Confucius Temple and Imperial College nestle here. Today, Guozijian Street is one of the few ancient streets left in Beijing where pailou (decorative ancient Chinese-style gateway) rises magnificently with houses and temples lying on both sides of the street.