What citywalk routes are there in Beijing that are full of Republic of China style?

Beijing’s urban landscape is a condensed history. Strolling through it, you can start from the Ming and Qing dynasties, experience the Republic of China, and reach modern times. If there is a place where you can best experience the customs of the Republic of China, the area around Xisi is one of my favorite alleys. There are many cultural relics and historic sites with a history of hundreds of years, as well as trendy street shops, as well as delicacies from century-old brands. If you are looking for the fireworks under the imperial city, this route is the best choice!

Route: Fuchengmen Inner Street - Xisi North Street - Dahongluochang Street - Xishiku Street - Xi'anmen Street - Xisi South Street

Stop 1: Imperially Built Hongci Guangji Temple

The Guangji Temple on Fuchengmen Inner Street is an ancient temple that has gone through vicissitudes of life and has a long history of more than 500 years. I stepped into the temple with respect and found that there were many precious cultural relics and Buddhist documents collected in the relic pavilion and other rooms. Every exhibit demonstrates the weight of history. While I had a deep understanding of Buddhist culture, I was also shocked by the solemn atmosphere here. After walking 200 meters, I was lucky enough to visit the temple of the emperors of the past dynasties, which made me even more interested in Chinese history.

Stop 2: Xishiku Catholic Church, Xishiku Street

The Catholic Church located on Xishiku Street is one of the largest and oldest churches in Beijing. The main body of the building adopts Gothic style and exudes a solemn atmosphere. When I came here, the roses in May were in full bloom, and the flower aisle added a romantic atmosphere to the church. I left this beautiful scene and recorded this unforgettable moment through photos.

Stop 3: 1901 Coffee and Huatian Yanji Cold Noodles

1901 Coffee is located in a European-style building converted from the annex of Xishiku Church. Since the church was built in 1901, Hence the name. I found a sense of tranquility on this bustling street corner, especially the dining setting on the second floor, which is perfect for relaxing with a cup of coffee or reading a book. Considering that the weather has been getting warmer recently, it is the best choice to have some cold noodles here at noon! I heard that many people come from far away to taste the unique taste of Yanji cold noodles.

Stop 4: China Geological Museum

The China Geological Museum is located on Xisi South Street. It is a building with a long history from the Republic of China period. As a comprehensive geoscience museum, it has a wealth of geological specimens, more than 550,000 pieces. The museum displays a wide range of geoscience fields, among which mineral specimens are the most famous. However, for dinosaur lovers like me, the most exciting ones are dinosaur fossils such as the giant Shandongosaurus and Sinosauropteryx. Here, I feel like I have traveled through time and space and touched the footsteps of ancient life at close range.

Stop 5: Zhengyang Bookstore

In the Zhengyang Bookstore on Xisi South Street, I found a reading space filled with the feelings of old Beijing. This place called Wansong Old Man's Pagoda Courtyard has a history of 800 years. When I came here, I found that this bookstore has a very rich collection of books, attracting many tourists to visit. In the courtyard at the entrance of Brick Tower Hutong, I felt the unique atmosphere of old Beijing. It is a peaceful haven where I love to read, think and just be quiet. This kind of bookstore makes me feel the cultural heritage of Beijing more deeply.